Announcements

* Indianapolis Pride Parade and Festival Booth

No real social change has ever been brought about without a revolution. Revolution is but thought carried into action.

—Emma Goldman

Many, many thanks to UUI folks for representing UUI by marching in the Pride Parade and/or staffing the booth at the Pride Festival on June 14. Also, thank you to everyone who joined us to paint the banners.

* Flood Victim Assistance

The UUI Social Justice Committee and the New Church Group# are working together to collect items to donate to the people of Columbus devastated by floods. You will find a donation box in the coat closet in the UUI Social Hall and we are accepting donations of drinking water, cleaning supplies and non-perishable items. These items will be delivered to a distribution center in Columbus weekly as long as the need exists.

#The New Church Group consists of individuals who are actively exploring the possibility of forming a new UU church in the metropolitan area.

* Check out the Social Justice blog: http://uuisocialjustice.blogspot.com/

* We Are Looking for New Members

Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.

—Howard Thurman

What’s your passion? What breaks your heart? Join the Social Justice Committee in the Cottage at 7 P.M. the second Tuesday of each month. Let’s talk about what’s meaningful to you and then we can get to work. Our next meeting is Tuesday, July 8, 2008.

Join the conversation with Julia Butterfly Hill, environmental activist, and Seane Corn, activist and yoga teacher, as they share their inspiring experiences of social justice and help you put your passion into action on Wednesday, July 16, at 7 P.M. at UUI in the Sanctuary and Social Hall (doors open at 6:30 P.M.). The discussion, which will be moderated by Michael Atwood, host of Across Indiana on WFYI, and be a participatory event with the audience, is co-sponsored and hosted by the UUI Social Justice Committee.

Additional sponsors are JourneysFire International and Cityoga. Tickets to the conversation are $15 and available for purchase on the JourneysFire website based on availability: http://www.journeysfire.org/Events.html Additionally, tickets are available to a half-day intensive morning workshop for 40 people on July 17 at Cityoga, 936 Indiana Ave., (Wednesday discussion included) for $75.

The first UU church I attended was in Houston, Texas. I started going for the religious education for my children and was delighted to find, both in Houston and at UUI when I relocated to Indianapolis, non-dogmatic spirituality and an emphasis on addressing social justice issues in a liberal framework. I’m thrilled to be serving as chairperson for the Social Justice committee at UUI for the coming year. One of the things I love about UUI is that we are a Welcoming Congregation. On November 9, 2003, at the Fall Congregational Meeting, UUI declared itself a Welcoming Congregation by unanimous vote. What does that mean? From the UUI website: “We think it is important to be intentional and proactive in our welcoming and affirmation not only of BGLT people, but of all people, including, but not necessarily limited to, people of different genders, races, ethnicities, ages, abilities, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and national origins.”

I think it’s so important that UUI be a beacon for liberal religion in Indianapolis. It’s important to demonstrate that religion doesn’t have to be synonymous with conservative Christianity. When people speak out on issues of marriage, poverty, education and other social justice issues, it really matters that those of us in liberal faith traditions stand up and make our voices heard. The upcoming Pride Parade is the perfect opportunity to make your liberal voice heard and live the Welcoming Congregation declaration.

• Pride Parade—On Saturday, June 14, UUI will march in the Pride Parade and have a booth at the Indy Pride Festival. Families are welcome and encouraged to attend. The parade starts at 10 A.M. on Massachusetts Ave, just east of College Ave. Meet us in the parking lot of UUI at 9 A.M. if you would like to carpool. If you drive, take College Ave. south until you hit Mass Ave. The parade ends at University Park on the corner of Pennsylvania and Vermont Streets—where we will have our booth. We need volunteers to staff the booth all day Saturday (in shifts).

• Create Banners for the Pride Parade— On Saturday, June 7, at 9:30 A.M., Stephanie Robertson will help us create banners for the Pride Parade. All ages are welcome. Meet us in the Social Hall, bring sunscreen, and wear old clothing.

• Social Justice Committee Retreat—Sunday, June 8, 9:15 to 10:15 A.M. in the UUI Commons. Join us for bagels, coffee and informal conversation. Let’s look at what the committee did well and how we might improve. Newcomers/all ages welcome.

• This Brave Nation—The Social Justice Committee is considering presenting the This Brave Nation documentary series at UUI and would like to gauge interest. Please take a moment to view the trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-e0CcMa-vCM and let us know what you think.

• Join us every 2nd Tuesday in the Cottage at 7 P.M.—next meeting, June 10. New members welcome. We will put in place a vision for the next church year. Bring snacks, bring ideas, and bring joy.