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Survivors of the school shooting in Parkland, Florida, are kicking off a nationwide bus tour called “March for Our Lives: Road to Change” in Chicago, Illinois. DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church in Naperville will hold a town hall as part of the launch, with a panel discussion, time for questions, and a table for voter registration as part of the event. “We're kind of the testing ground for all of this," said the Rev. Tom Capo of his congregation’s participation. (Daily Herald - 6.14.18)
Celebrities such as Jennifer Hudson and political leaders such as U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords will join Parkland shooting survivors for a rally against gun violence in Chicago as a way to kick off the “Road to Change” tour led by student activists from March for Our Lives. The rally coincides with antiviolence marches held every Friday during the summer in Chicago, organized by local faith groups. (Chicago Tribune - 6.14.18)
More coverage:
“Parkland students arrive in Chicago, first stop in U.S. tour on gun violence” (Chicago Sun-Times - 6.15.18)
UUs bring a moral voice to Massachusetts State House
The Rev. Kathleen McTigue of the UU College of Social Justice joined 200 faith-based activists at the Massachusetts State House to urge representatives to pass an amendment in the state budget that would provide due process protections for immigrants. “We are here today to speak for love, to stand against unspeakable cruelty that rips children from the arms of their parents,” McTigue said. Gov. Charlie Baker said he would veto the amendment if it came to his desk. (Boston Globe - 6.14.18 )
UU minister on drones and the effects of moral injury
In an essay about military veterans’ struggles with the psychological impacts of moral injury stemming from using drone technology in a modern war context, Unitarian Universalist minister the Rev. Chris Antal points out the important role that a veteran’s community plays in healing. During a weekly meeting with veterans coping with moral injury, Antal asks audience members to deliver a message of reconciliation to veterans. “Moral injury,” points out Antal, “is as much about society’s avoidance and denial as it is about the ethical burdens that veterans bear.” (New York Times Magazine - 6.13.18)
Congregation’s financial support for climate change activism makes news
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, New York, recently awarded the advocacy group Climate Mobilization Project a $100,000 grant. Institutional fundraising sources call this the country’s largest single philanthropic investment in emergency climate action. The congregation is being hailed for making one of the first significant steps in funding climate change activism and other funders are being urged to follow their example. (Inside Philanthropy - 6.14.18)