by Admin | Dec 4, 2018 | ATIR News, Immigration Action, Volunteer
Volunteering & Donating to Tijuana Shelters
Please see this informative guide, “Solidarity for Refugee Caravans in Tijuana”, especially if you plan on going to TJ. This guide was created by folks working on the ground in TJ. It includes information on the various needs of the different shelters (Benito Juarez, Enclave Caracol, Casa del Migrante, etc.), who to contact, and how you can go about volunteering. I encourage you all to share this information with your networks.
Legal Observers and Lawyers Needed in Tijuana
The situation at the border is dire. Last weekend, immigration agents used tear gas and pepper spray on individuals and families seeking asylum. A humanitarian crisis exists with inadequate shelter and resources in Tijuana’s sports stadium shelter for the thousands of people who migrated together, hoping to present themselves at the border.
There is a constant need for legal observers and attorneys for many weeks and months to come. Please consider traveling to Tijuana to help if you are able.
NLG-LA Board Co-President Gilbert Saucedo is traveling to volunteer in Tijuana on Saturday (for the weekend); if you are interested in coordinating with him, email him at gs.law@att.net. NLG-LA Immigration Committee Chair Pasquale Lombardo is likely traveling to Tijuana on Sunday (through early next week); email him at pglombardo1@gmail.com.
Please fill out Al Otro Lado’s volunteer form if you can travel to Tijuana in the coming days/weeks: https://goo.gl/forms/22IqGTIg1TrjTVmi1.
by Admin | Dec 4, 2018 | Immigration Action
About 25 UUCV members met on Oct. 15 and Nov. 12 to begin the formation of a committee in support of Immigrants’ Rights. A coordination committee was formed by Silvia Hutchins as a liaison to the Social Action Coordinating Committee (SACC) and CLUE. Susan Franzblau will develop an “Immediate Emergency Response Team.”
Ruth Capelle will participate in coalition building with other organizations and communicate action and volunteer opportunities to ATIR and send out information and analyses from other sources and UUSC. Ray Vargas joined us as well and has begun to lead the development of a mission statement and also initiated a fundraising effort.
Susan defines her task: “I am coordinating an effort to help undocumented immigrant families find a place to stay, food to eat, childcare and transportation when they are in our area for legal services or are clients of other agencies and organizations.” She hopes for volunteers to expand the network of people who can provide some of the services that will only involve a few days at a time.
Ruth intends to develop a more effective means of communication than frequent e-mails which will be reserved for immediate action alerts. She hopes volunteers will participate in outreach and inform us on activities in support of the immigrant community being planned by other groups in the West County.
Please contact Ruth if you’d like your name to be added to ATIR’s e-mail list for action alerts.
We plan to hold regular meetings on the 2nd Monday of the month beginning at 6pm for a potluck dinner and convene at 6:30pm; we expect to be done no later than 8pm. In December only, the meeting will take place on the third Monday of the month, Dec. 17.
The goals and efforts of this new committee are aligned with the UU principles and purposes, especially:
We are in covenant to affirm and promote:
- The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
- Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; and
- The goal of a world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
With love and the fervent hope that together we can make the world a better place for the most afflicted,
The Action Team for Immigrant Rights
by Admin | Dec 4, 2018 | Justice Actions
As I write this month’s column the November election results are known to us all. My own level of anxiousness concerning politics has been somewhat reduced. Time once again to move forward even though there will be continued drama in Washington. At least this time around I have a sense of Hope that the moral arc of the universe is again bending towards justice. Hope for a better, more peaceful world is what I believe the promise of the holiday season is about.
At the UUCV we save lives. We do that every day of the year with our Lift Up Your Voice Advocacy, with our Safe Sleep overnight parking, and with our Inreach Outreach sharing of the Sunday Plate to other non-profits. Unitarian Universalism offers Hope to people through the ministry of liberal religion. Holding up as our first principal that we “affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” That is a message for all seasons.
And then the county experienced the shooting in Thousand Oaks followed by terrible fires. Memories of last December are still fresh in my mind when fires swept through our county only to be followed by devasting flooding in Santa Barbara. So much suffering has happened in twelve months. Yet I still hold onto hope. The “audacity” of hope, as stated by Barack Obama. It is reflected in the stories of the bright star in the eastern sky, of the burning flame for the
Maccabees, and in the little light that shines within each of us. A metaphor for UU’s is the Lighthouse shining its beacon of light on darkness, giving aid to those in most need. Amen.
Following up on the September Congregational Conversation we discerned a list of 26 questions. Paraphrased, and in no particular order, they consolidated into six specific questions.
- How can I learn more about our deficit and the projected budget?
- Do we need to hire another staff person or can volunteers do the work?
- What can we do to be a more diverse congregation?
- Instead of giving away the Sunday Plate, can some of it be used to help the congregation?
- What are money making activities?
- How can I help more?
The first question is easy to answer. Attend the next Congregational Conversation on January 27. You can also read the Newsletter for information from the Finance Committee, attend a Finance Committee meeting, or talk to David Smith who is the Chair of the committee. The rest of the questions require deeper thought and conversation. Please take time to reflect upon them.
Finally, on behalf of the Board of Trustee’s, Happy Holidays to Everyone! Thank you especially to our Staff, to Rev. Dana Worsnop, Office Administrator Jennifer Luce, Music Director Carolyn Bjerke, A/V Technician Brian Fortune, DRE Emily Carroll, and all of the RE Aides for all that you do in support of the UUCV. We have much for which to be grateful. May peace and joy be yours this season.
Living in Paradise,
Bryan Buck, UUCV Board President
by Admin | Nov 27, 2018 | Children Programs
Playroom
Tender, loving, and interactive care for infants and children under age four is provided by trained, professional caregivers 15 minutes prior to the service, during worship, and during social hour from 9:45-11:45 in our Nursery from 9:45-11:15 and outdoor playground from 11:15-11:45.
by Admin | Nov 26, 2018 | Children Programs
Picture Book UU! Teaches young children about the love, reason, tolerance and good works that make up our faith and the art of self-expression, to value individuality, to think for themselves and simplify their lives.
This curriculum is fun, friendly, and concise with teachable moments that introduce our faith to young children. Each lesson includes a sharing circle, storybook that teaches our values, an activity, and a closing statement.
