Muusja Mailing List: E-EVENT UPDATE FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2007

[Lauren Culbert (lculbert]

MUUSJA E-EVENT UPDATE FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2007
 
Minnesota UU Social  Justice Alliance--Bringing  together UUs to work
collectively for social change.
 
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This  update includes announcements about: 

A. Local Social Justice News
B. NATIONAL UU ADVOCACY
C. Social Justice Links

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A. LOCAL SOCIAL ACTION NEWS

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1.
FRI, NOV 30
7:20 PM 
EDINA THEATER 
3911 WEST 50th ST., EDINA 55424 

A UU EcoMinds excursion to the movies to see "WHAT WOULD JESUS BUY?" -- a
90-minute fast and funny documentary featuring the charismatic Reverend
Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping Gospel Choir as they do a
cross-country crusade to save Christmas from the Shopocalypse. Includes
preaching at the Mall of America and exorcising demons at Wal-Mart
Headquarters. Widely acclaimed by the NY Times et al.
http://www.wwjbmovie.com/.   Carpool will leave promptly at 6:55 pm from
First U parking lot (3400 Dupont Ave. So, Mpls).  Or just meet us at the
theater. We'll debrief the movie at the Edina Grill, 3907 W. 50th St Edina.
FFI: Betsy Allis at erallis [at] aol.com. 

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2.
SAT, DEC 1
2:00 PM TO 6:00 PM
FINE LINE MUSIC CAFÉ

Do something to build a more peaceful community for all people! Come to the
Fine Line to support the PROTECT Minnesota initiative to end gun violence.
 
A joint effort of Citizens for Safer Minnesota and the Minnesota Million Mom
March, PROTECT Minnesota is a campaign to prevent gun deaths and injuries by
common sense means -- background checks, safe gun storage and putting a stop
to gun trafficking. Our campaign is changing the conversation about gun
deaths and injuries from one of conflict to one of common goals.

We are ready to jump start the conversation in Minnesota with two great
radio ads, but we need to raise more money to air them. Come hear the ads,
support the campaign, and have fun too. Meet our special guest, Paul Helmke,
president of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. The silent auction
closes at 5 p.m.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE, www.protectMN.org, to buy tickets and learn more. We'll
have a cash bar, refreshments, live music and a silent auction. Proceeds
will go to pay for radio ads about safe storage and background checks. The
ads are ready to run statewide, but we need more money to get our message on
the air. We hope to see you on December 1st.

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3. 
SAT, DEC 1
10:30 TO 12:30
MERRIAM PARK LIBRARY
MARSHALL AND FAIRVIEW, SAINT PAUL
BYO COFFEE

WALK AWAY FROM THE KING--HERE'S HOW! Discussion and Reporting

These meetings spring from the belief that the current economic system is
unsustainable and destructive.  They are intended to begin concrete
in-the-world projects that offer alternatives to this system.  They are free
and open to all.

One goal of the meetings is to gather a critical number of people who are
able and willing to engage in the action research of creating real world
economic and social alternatives.  

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4.
SUN, DEC 2
2:00 TO 3:00 PM
CATHEDRAL OF ST. PAUL
239 SELBY AVENUE
ST. PAUL

VIGIL FOR SOLIDARITY. Catholic Archbishop John Nienstedt of the Diocese of
St. Paul and Minneapolis has recently declared that those who "encourage"
LGBT persons in accepting and expressing their sexuality are "cooperating in
a grave evil."

If you find yourself in disagreement with the archbishop's views and would
like to see the Church's teaching on homosexuality reformed in light of
credible science and the lived experiences of LGBT people and their
families, then join us for a Vigil for Solidarity on the steps of the
Cathedral of St. Paul.

Organized by a coalition of progressive Catholic organizations, the Vigil
for Solidarity will feature music, speakers, prayer, and a symbolic "die-in
and rising up" ritual.  We invite all people of faith and good will to stand
in solidarity with Catholic LGBT persons and their families as we
"encourage" Jesus' message of inclusion, justice, and compassion.

FFI -  Michael Bayly ? Catholic Pastoral Committee on Sexual Minorities -
612-201-4534.

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5.
BIBLE SELF DEFENSE COURSES
TUES, DEC 4TH AND 11TH AT 7:00 PM
OR
WED, DEC 5TH AND 12TH AT 7:00 PM

Tired of arguing with friends about sexuality or gender? Dread going to
family gatherings? Learn how to turn those jousting arguments into
conversations that helps bring understanding and improve your relationships.

Attend an upcoming Bible Self-Defense Course and learn:

Nonviolent principles of communication
Strategies that help you guide the discussion Understanding fundamentalist
views of scripture How to de-fang Hebrew and Christian texts Scholarly
insights that support LGBT identities Open to all ages and backgrounds

Two-part courses offered at two different locations: 

Tuesday, December 4th and 11th at 7 p.m.
Louisiana Oaks Apartments Community Room
7201 Walker St. West in St. Louis Park (Hwy 7 and Louisiana Ave. Parking
available at the park across the street)

Wednesday, December 5th and 12th at 7 p.m.
Pi Bar and Restaurant
2532 25th Ave. S. Minneapolis
(3 blocks east of Hiawatha and 26th street)

Hurry! Space is limited, so register early.

* Food and beverages available.
Donations are welcome.

Sponsored by
Faith Family Fairness Alliance
Soulforce Q
OutFront Minnesota

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6.
TUES, DEC 11
7:00 TO 9:00 PM
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH
3400 DUPONT AVE. S, MINNEAPOLIS
ROOM 206

UU ECOMINDS MEETING

EcoMinds members from all UU congregations are invited to meet as we
continue our work on our outreach survey of congregational environmental
activities, to help plan and promote ?Focus the Nation ? congregational
events, and assist with the Global Climate Change content of MUUSJA?s
January General Membership meeting.  If you have additional agenda items
you?d like considered, contact Ralph Wyman at rwmuusja [at] gmail.com,
612-998-6624. NEWCOMERS WELCOME!

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7.
FRI, DEC 14
7:45 AM TO NOON
U OF M CONTINUING EDUCATION CENTER
1890 BUFORD AVE, ST. PAUL

CAN COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENTS PROMOTE MORE EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT?
Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) raise hopes of enabling low and
moderate income neighborhoods to share more equitably in the fruits of
economic development projects.  Can CBAs deliver on their promises? Join
Kathleen Mulligan-Hansel, Director of Research and Communications The
Partnership for Working Families Milwaukee, WI, Minneapolis Fed Research
Director Art Rolnick, who will provide an economist's perspective on CBAs
and comments from local community development practitioners and business
leaders for a Community Development Forum. The cost is $10.00 per person
with a continental breakfast.  Registration is required.  For more
information, or to register for the forum, please call 612-204-5869, or
visit www.minneapolisfed.org/community/eventsNATIONAL 


UU ADVOCACY

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1. 
SAT, DEC 1, 2007
WORLD AIDS DAY

For those of you who want to organize in your communities, we are
enthusiastically endorsing the STEPS campaign (Start Taking Effective
Prevention Seriously). On the website you can register how many steps you
are going to take on World AIDS Day and find resources to help your
participate in the campaign. 
http://www.pepfarwatch.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=91&Item
id=91 
Additionally, we highly encourage you and your congregation to recognize
World AIDS Day during your worship on Sunday, December 2nd. Whether you
light a chalice, share a prayer or hold an entire service in honor of the
day, you can find resources in our World AIDS Day worship packet, created in
partnership with the UU-United Nations Office and the UU Global AIDS
Coalition.
http://uu-uno.org/world-aids-day-resource-packet/world-aids-day-resource-pac
ket.html?Itemid=75

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C. SOCIAL JUSTICE LINKS
To learn about other local and national social justice events, check out
these websites.  

UU SOCIAL JUSTICE AND OTHER UU LINKS:
Unitarian Universalist Association:  http://www.uua.org/

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee:  http://www.uusc.org/

UUA Washington Office for Advocacy http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/

UUA Congregational Advocacy and Witness:
http://www.uua.org/programs/justice/

Minnesota UU Social Justice Alliance (MUUSJA):  http://www.muusja.org/

Prairie Star  District: http://www.psduua.org/

FOR UU SOCIAL ACTON CHAIRS, sign up for regular e-news from the UUA, called
Sac-news www.uua.org/mailman/listinfo
 
UU Ministry for Earth http://uuministryforearth.org/index.shtml

UUs for a Just Economic Community http://www.uujec.net/

UU Committee for Socially Responsible Investing
http://www.uua.org/finance/sri/ 

UU Gulf Coast Advocacy http://www.uua.org/news/gulfcoastrelief/advocacy.html

OTHER SOCIAL JUSTICE LINKS: 
*note: if you are  member of a group who would like us to list your web
site, send it to muusja-editor [at] muusja.org

Alliance for Sustainability www.afors.org

Citizens for Election Integrity Minnesota www.ceimn.org

Minnesota  Alliance of Peacemakers  http://www.mapm.org/

Minnesota Metro Branch of Women's International League for Peace and Freedom
www.wilpfmn.org 
 
Women Against Military Madness at  www.worldwidewamm.org
 
Progressive Calendar subscribe by emailing  shove001 [at] tc.umn.edu.
  
Planned Parenthood of Minnesota:   www.ppmns.org
 
NARAL Pro-Choice Minnesota:   www.prochoiceminnesota.org

Metropolitan Interfaith Council on Affordable Housing (MICAH):
http://www.micah.org/
 
Code Pink: www.codepink4peace.org

Center for Victims of Torture: http://www.cvt.org/main.php

Congregations Caring for Creation http://www.c3mn.net/

Network of Spiritual Progressives: http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/

Network of Spiritual Progressives, local chapter http://www.nspmn.org/

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