At our March 12^th meeting, all three proposed Social Justice Sponsored Projects were overwhelmingly approved to go before the May Congregational meeting for a vote.

1. Resisting Oppression is the identified issue. (This will replace the Confronting Racism Project.) Project Leader (Nancy) “Kelly.” The Title/Objective is tentatively “Standing with marginalized local communities targeted due to race, ethnicity, religion, poverty, class, sexual orientation or gender identity.” The L:FDC will continue as a major part of this Project. Funds of $1,500 requested. Whether or not UUCB will affiliate again with CCISCO (Contra Costa County Interfaith Supporting Community Organization) is being discussed. If the SJC decides that UUCB will affiliate again, the additional amount of $1,000 will be requested for CCISCO.
2. Green Sanctuary Program (The UUA Green Sanctuary Program provides a path for congregational study, reflection, and action in response to environmental challenges). Project Leader Mark Miner. This would include developing a Green Sanctuary Team, identifying assessments to conduct, and creating an action plan. The amount of money suggested was $1,000.
3. Unjust Deportations of Immigrants is the issue, and the title and objective is “Sanctuary as Love of Neighbor.” Project Leader Elisabeth Jay explained that there are three ways to “do” sanctuary that are broader than physically housing people: accompaniment, advocacy and participation in Rapid Response. Suggested $2,000, which is flexible.

Dialoging Across Race, Class, Power and Privilege – Here is a quick summary of what Julie Rogers presented: Attendees were asked our associations with the words race, power, privilege, and oppression, discussed things that get in the way of effective communication, and practiced Nonviolent Communication (NVC) skills. Among the skills we learned were empathic presence, reflecting what we heard and identifying underlying feelings and needs, identifying our own feelings and needs, and being aware of the difference between our intentions and the impacts our actions have.

LFDC (Literature, Film and Drama Contingent of the Confronting Racism Project) – At our Second Annual Guest Speaker Luncheon we hosted Reverend Donnell Jones and his charming family on March 5th. Reverend Jones was the epitome of warmth, spirituality, and grace. He encouraged us to go forward with the “three C’s: courage, compassion, and collaboration”—in our resistance locally against, for example, expansion of the jail in West County, as well as walking with him, literally, on Friday nights, volunteering in local schools, marching, and showing up at town hall meetings. “I’m a preacher,” Reverend Jones asserted; “Can I get a few amens?” And he got them, along with the vociferous affirmation of a core UU principle—the worth and dignity of every person—during the moment when his fundamentalist beliefs regarding LGBTQ issues bumped up against our values. For our April 2nd meeting, director and actor Darold Holloway will discuss August Wilson’s play “Fences.”  Our Book Selection for May 7th is Nancy Isenberg’s study, White Trash: The 400-Year Untold History of Class in America.

Undie Sunday for GRIP, April 30 (Greater Richmond Interfaith Program) As in years past, we will collect donations of packaged underwear as well as socks and pajamas for the residents of the GRIP Family Shelter. This tradition has been one of the many ways that UUCB has lovingly supported GRIP over the years. Please bring your gifts of packaged underwear, socks and/or pajamas for men, women, and children, and put them in the collection basket next to the Social Justice table in the social hall. Your donations don’t have to be limited to underwear—any new or gently used clothing for the GRIP residents would be most appreciated. Thank you.