Social Justice Council Meeting – Participating at the SJC August meeting were Merrin Clough and members of the Family Ministry Committee Leadership Team (both youth and adults). Our small groups met: One thought ahead about working together on UUCB’s annual Bring-Your-Weight-in-Food event. Another reviewed Family Ministry’s draft Covenant for Partnership. The third discussed how to build bridges to engage families in Social Justice work, and the fourth group spoke together about current social justice work.

Social Justice Chalice Circle Summer Pilot – After four Summer meetings of new and long-time UUCB members, feedback and an online survey by participants will determine whether Social Justice Chalice Circles will be commenced in the Fall.

Literature, Film & Drama Contingent (LFDC) of the Confronting Racism Project –Members of the Literature, Film & Drama Contingent of the Confronting Racism Project discussed The Invention of Wings, an unusually creative piece of historical fiction by Sue Monk Kidd (who also wrote The Secret Life of Bees). The book selection for September 4th is The Underground Railroad, by Colson Whitehead, another work of historical fiction in which Whitehead envisions an actual railroad tunneling underground in telling the story of two escapees from a plantation.

Good Neighbor Nominations – If you want to propose a non-profit to be chosen as one of our Good Neighbors please contact Beth Jerde.

Confronting Racism – Plans are being finalized for both a workshop and a film.

Miscellaneous other Social Justice Opportunities and Information:

Ceasefire Walks – Friday nights in Richmond at 7, contact Jane Eisenstark.

GRIP – UUCB volunteers prepare and serve lunch to hungry and homeless people at the GRIP Souper Center in Richmond on the fourth Tuesday of every month. Want to volunteer? Contact Ray Westergard.

Vigil for Incarcerated Immigrants – This vigil takes place monthly on the first Saturday from 11 to noon. Advocate and stand in solidarity with those incarcerated at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond at 5555 Giant Highway.

September Good Neighbor: Read-Aloud Volunteer Program  Read Aloud Volunteer Program is a relationship-based program that fosters in children the joy and love of learning through reading and storytelling. An adult volunteer connects to a child over the school year and provides a consistent, respectful encounter with the child each week, reading to and listening to the child.

If you want to be added to the Social Justice email list contact Jane Eisenstark.