The Channing Memorial Church Social Action Committee meets on the third Tuesday of every month (with the exception of July) at 7PM in the Channing House Library. All members and friends of the church are welcome to attend. For more information, contact the committee chair at socialaction@channingchurch.org or call the church office at (401) 846-0643.


Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Martha Lucia Giraldo Villano To Speak Westminster Unitarian Church - East Greenwich, RI

Our next event is coming up quickly on Friday, November 6 at 7pm in Fellowship Hall. We will be hosting guest speaker Martha Lucia Giraldo Villano from Columbia, sponsored by Witness for Peace (WFP). WFP is a politically independent, nationwide grassroots organization of people committed to nonviolence and led by faith and conscience. WFP’s mission is to support peace, justice and sustainable economies in the Americas by changing U.S. policies and corporate practices which contribute to poverty and oppression in Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to sending delegations to observe first hand the consequences of U.S. foreign policy decisions, WFP also sponsors people from Latin America on speaking tours in the U.S. to inform citizens of ongoing projects and struggles.

Nick Schmader has taken the lead on this event, and Westminster’s Social Responsibility Committee is proud to be hosting a WFP speaker. Martha’s father, a small-scale farmer, was murdered by the Columbian military in an “extrajudicial” killing. She will speak to these state-sanctioned murders, the billions of dollars of military and police funding provided by the U.S., Plan Columbia, official impunity, the importance of memory, and the National Movement of Victims. There will also be ample time for Q&A. Coffee and light refreshments will be available. This is a great opportunity to learn more about Columbia and the work of Witness For Peace. Naturally, expenses are incurred on a speaking tour so donations in any amount will be gratefully accepted. To learn more about this courageous woman and WFP check out witnessforpeace.org and go to the NE region page.

Westminster Unitarian Church is located at 119 Kenyon Ave., East Greenwich, RI.  Directions at westminsteruu.org.
Posted by at

From UUA Advocacy and Witness

Dear Friends of Justice,

Ordinarily we try to bring you a success story each week. This week we simply could not choose. After ten years, the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed into law. And over the weekend, UU congregations were well-represented in the largest ever call-to-action on global climate change. See below for details on both. Due to a couple of glitches, our new, revamped action alerts will debut next week instead of this week. In the meantime, Happy Halloween everybody!

In faith and for justice,

Orelia, Rowan, Rob, Kat, Audra, Susan, and Meg

Stand on the Side of Love for Employee Non-Discrimination!

Next week, the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) will hold the first hearings on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) since 2002. If passed, ENDA would prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

The Standing on the Side of Love campaign has called on people to gather a total of 7,500 petition signatures, which will be delivered to the members of the Senate HELP committee on the eve of the hearings.

Please sign the petition for full equality now and help us pass ENDA!

And when you have signed, forward this request widely; we need your help to get 7,500 signatures by next Tuesday! You can sign online or download a PDF copy to gather signatures in your congregation or community, and fax it to the campaign office.

SUCCESS: Matthew Shepard Act Signed Into Law

It was over ten years in the making, but the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act was signed by President Obama yesterday. Bias-motivated violence based on perceived race, color, religion, or national origin was already considered to be a hate crime. The new Hate Crimes Prevention Act extends that protection to gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. For more on the UUA's reaction, see here.

SUCCESS: International Day of Climate Action

More than 115 congregations participated in the International Day of Climate Action, advocating for climate change legislation to work toward reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 parts per million (ppm). This is so energizing to hear, knowing that the future of our world depends on our ability to effectively curb climate change, and the future of our brothers and sisters all over the world depends on our ability to do this justly. Congregations all over the country catalyzed and supported interfaith and community-wide events. They rang their bells 350 times, facilitated conversations in their congregations and communities, wrote letters to governmental officials, watched movies, sang out, and rallied! This is not only a UU issue, but something that reminds us of the interdependent web of which we are all a part. Read more on our blog, Inspired Faith, Effective Action.

Standing on the Side of Love Friday Calls

Join our Friday 45 min. Standing on the Side of Love Organizing Webcast Calls - 1pm EDT (12pm Central; 11 am Mountain; 10 am Pacific)

Oct. 30th Call on Protect Marriage Equality/Domestic Partnerships in Maine & WA; ENDA Hearings & Full Equality Petition

This week features presentations from:

Rev. Becky Gunn, Minister, UU Society of Bangor, about hers and other congregation's SSL work to defend Marriage Equality in Maine with the Religious Coalition for Freedom to Marry

Carol McKinley, Director, Washington State UU Voices for Justice, about bringing the SSL message to the Washington Families Standing Together campaign to preserve Washington State's domestic partnership law.

Susan Leslie, Director, UUA Office for Congregational Advocacy & Witness, on SSL Full Equality Petition & ENDA Hearings

Get call-in information and RSVP by clicking on http://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/fridaycalls/.

To Join the Call: Dial 218-844-8230 entry code 593426#

Log onto the web-cast by opening this link: http://persony100.uua.org/?meeting=6336114.
Posted by at

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

From Standing on the Side of Love

Next week, your signatures will be presented to the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.

Can you help us reach 7,500 signatures by next Tuesday by forwarding this email to your friends or downloading a PDF petition to get signed in your congregation or community?

Next week, the Senate HELP Committee will hold the first hearing on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) since 2002. If passed, ENDA would prohibit workplace discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.

Each day many LGBT people go to work and leave a part of themselves behind. Fear of losing a job, being overlooked for promotions, or facing harassment all keep LGBT people scared and in the closet. No one should face workplace discrimination because of whom they love.

We will deliver the Petition for Full Equality to the Senate HELP committee on the eve of the ENDA hearings. So far 5,000 people have signed the petition. We need your continued help now to reach 7,500 signatures by next Tuesday.

Please forward this email or download a PDF of the Petition for Full Equality right now.
Posted by at

Sunday, October 25, 2009

Step It Up/Cool A.I. Update #30, Oct. 25, 2009

We're off!

You can all sign up now for our Energy Challenge.


Start saving energy, money and life on the planet! We launched the Challenge officially last Saturday, at the International Day of Climate Action. We debuted the Web site there, and it's beautiful and very accessible, with lots of guidance and encouragement at every step. Congratulations to the dedicated, hard-working team of volunteers who created the site.
-
If you want to hear about it in person, come to the Alliance for a Livable Newport Public Forum Monday evening at 5:30 at the Newport Public Library. You'll be able to sign up there, too. (Take note! That's tonight, if you went to bed early, and didn't get the late email delivery on Sunday.)
-
Go to our site, give the program a try, and give us some feedback. If you know people who aren't on computer and want to join up, you can tell them that we have paper options for them. Reply to this email, and we'll tell you how. This is a twelve-month project, with lots of rewards, incentives and parties along the way. Come join the fun!
-
Gloomy weather couldn't dampen our spirits on Saturday. Almost 100 of us gathered in the garage at Easton's Beach, and made our own sunshine, along with the strains of native music by the Recovery All-Stars. Our International Day of Climate Action was one of more than 5200 grassroots actions in 182 countries, telling our world leaders we need a strong international commitment to action in Copenhagen in December. Eight speakers and twelve exhibitors told us why, and what we can do about it here and now. If you're still wondering what you can do, go back to the the top of this page. And if you have the patience to watch more than 5000 photos, go to www.350.org, and you just might catch us posing on the beach...in the rain.
-
One more note about this Update. Some folks have wanted to print out our events, but feared using up a whole cartridge of green ink doing so. Although we recommend keeping printing to a minimum, for conservation reasons, sometimes it's necessary. Be assured that the green background does not print out. (Tip: if quality isn't an issue, I print in "fastdraft" mode to save ink, and if I'm not printing double-sided, I use blank sides of old copies.)
-
Beth
-
Monday, October 26, 2009
-

"Double Feature" - Alliance for a Livable Newport Forum
-
Time: 6:30 to 8 PM
-

Location: Newport Public Library, Spring Street
-
ALN's Public Forum will cover two important City programs: A progress report on the Force Main sewer repairs; plus, a new initiative, the Neighborhood Energy Challenge.
-
Julia Forgue, Director of Utilities for Newport, will present some background on, and lead a discussion of the failure of the force main system and an update on the repairs correcting the problems.
-
Beth Milham, Co-chair of the Newport Energy and Environment Commission and Chair of NeighborhoodEnergyChallenge.org, will describe the recently launched four-town energy challenge, which will encourage all residents and businesses on Aquidneck Island and in Jamestown to lower their energy use (and costs) in a twelve-month friendly competition. Those attending will also have an opportunity to sign up for the challenge.
-
Free! The public is welcome. We look forward to seeing you there!
-
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
-
Follow the Water! Streamflow and Water Availability
-

Time: 4 to 7 PM
-

Location: CCRI – Warwick Campus, Rm. 4080
-
The starting point for managing our state’s shared water resources is a look at how much water we have and where it is. Get a glimpse of the big picture of regional water supplies. Learn about DEM’s study of water availability in RI. Hear how the RI Water Resources Board and one local community are using this information.
-
The Coalition for Water Security, a partnership of many of the state's leading environmental and quality of life groups, invites you to this event, featuring:
-
Alisa Richardson, PE, Principal Engineer, Office of Water Resources, RI DEM
-
Mark Smith, The Nature Conservancy, Director, Eastern Freshwater Program
-
Kenneth Burke, General Manager , RI Water Resources Board
-
Jon Reiner, Director of Planning, Town of North Kingstown
-
To register or for more information contact:
-
Jane Austin at jaustin@savebay.org or 272-3540 x123
-
Thursday, October 29, 2009
-
Apeiron Institute Home Weatherization Forum
-

Time: 5:30 to 8 PM
-

Location: 17 Gordon Ave., Providence
-
With winter approaching, it's time to make your home more energy efficient, and save money at the same time. This forum will help you get started.
-
Architect and LEED AP Tom Weber, EcoBroker and certified home energy auditor Will Litvin, and LEED AP Dave Kessler will present the results of a recent energy audit on a local home. Using that home as an example, the trio will describe what you can do to weatherize your own home and make it more energy efficient, give you cost estimates on improvements, and provide resources for assistance. They'll also discuss design ideas if you're planning to renovate or build.
-
5:30 to 6:30 - Snacks and non-alcoholic drinks served
-
6:30 to 7:30 - Presentation
-
7:30 to 8:00 - Question and Answer session and mingling
-
Free for Apeiron members, $10 for non-members.

Posted by at

Friday, October 23, 2009

From Channing Social Action Legislative Ministry

To all who attended a Rhode Island U.U. Legislative meeting on Aquidneck Island last June:

The Home Energy Rate Affordability Act (H6079) is scheduled to be considered by the House Finance Committee this WEDS. OCT. 28th. PLEASE CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVE to ensure his/her SUPPORT of the bill.

This Percentage of Income Payment Plan (H6079) enables residents earning at 150% or below the Federal poverty level to PAY no more than 6%, 7% or 8% of their income for electricity and gas.

PLEASE CALL NOW! Thanks!

ALSO, those who CAN, go to the RALLY in SUPPORT of H6079 this MON. OCT. 26th at 1 P.M. at the STATE HOUSE, Providence.


Rhode Island House Committee on Finance

Representative Joseph S. Almeida

Member


Representative David A. Caprio

Member


Representative Kenneth Carter

Vice Chairperson


Representative Steven M. Costantino

Chairperson


Representative Elizabeth M. Dennigan

Member


Representative Laurence W. Ehrhardt

Member


Representative Joanne M. Giannini

Member


Representative J. Russell Jackson

Member


Representative Robert B. Jacquard

Member


Representative Nicholas A. Mattiello

Member


Representative Helio Melo

Member


Representative Eileen S. Naughton

Member


Representative John A. Savage

Member


Representative Agostinho F. Silva

Member


Posted by at

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Isn't it time to hear an Afghan voice about the war?

Malalai Joya, an Afghan defender of women's rights, dared to criticize America's war in Afghanistan and the corrupt American-backed government. She faced multiple assassination attempts and was even barred from her Parliament seat. She has received the Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought from the European Parliament, and will be speaking at Brown this Sunday. Copies of her new book, "A Woman among Warlords", will be available.

Where: Salomon Hall 101, on the Main Green at Brown University.

When: Sunday October 25, 4pm.
Sponsored by Anti-War Action at Brown and the RI Mobilization Committee.

As the Afghanistan war attracts a great deal of debate, we have a rare opportunity to hear from a renowned Afghan who lives in Afghanistan and can provide a first-hand perspective.

Please come, and forward this message to others!

Posted by at

Step It Up/Cool A.I. Update #29, Oct. 18, 2009

Hi, green friends,


Big things happening this week! The International Day of Climate Action, Saturday, October 24, has grown to more than 3500 actions in 161 countries, and ours, one of four in RI, will be at Easton's Beach at noon. All the RI events are listed in today's calendar.

We'll be launching the neighborhood Energy Challenge that day, too. Our web site is coming together, and we intend to have it up and running by Saturday. So far, you can visit the home page and the FAQ page at http://www.neighborhoodenergychallenge.org/.

Our thanks to Susan Adie for great letters in Newport This Week and The Newport Daily News. Thanks also to the Daily News for giving us "cheers" in Saturday's edition, and to Peter Lord for featuring us, the challenge and the other RI events for Saturday in his Sunday ProJo column.

See you Saturday!

Beth

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Bioneers the the Bay Conference

Time: 8 AM


Location: New Bedford, MA

Join us for the fifth Annual Bioneers by the Bay: Connecting for Change Conference, presented by the Marion Institute in the historic Downtown of New Bedford, MA, on October 22-25, 2009.

This is an internationally acclaimed annual gathering of environmental, industry and social justice innovators who have demonstrated visionary and practical models for restoring the Earth and its inhabitants.

Over 2,000 students, teachers, green business innovators, scientists, grassroots leaders and everyday folks from across the East Coast will gather to embrace, share, brainstorm, network, heal, learn, teach, celebrate, recharge and connect for change. We will roll up our sleeves and harvest tangible, practical solutions to the specific challenges we face here in the Northeast and the world at-large.

Learn more, and register at this site: http://www.marioninstitute.org/bioneers_by_the_bay

Public Education Seminar on New Energy Savings Standards - RIGBC

Time: 4:30 to 6:30 PM


Location: NE Tech Student Lounge, 2480 Post Rd., Warwick

Jack Leyden, RI Green Building Council Board Member and State Building Code Commissioner, will talk about some of the changes to the energy code that the state will be adopting in 2010 as a result of legislation passed this year. The provisions affect the construction of buildings, the use of renewable energy resources in buildings, the efficient use of energy within buildings, and the orientation of buildings on their sites.

Free for members, $5.00 for non members and $10.00 for those seeking Continuing Education Credit (1 CEU).

For information and reservations:


Saturday, October 24, 2009

International Day of Climate Action - Aquidneck Island

Time: 12 PM


Location: Easton's Beach, Newport

Bring pictures of your children and grandchildren - people who will be here to suffer the consequences of global warming. Learn how sea level rise and storm water run-off impact every aspect of our island life style and livelihood. Learn what you can do, including joining the Neighborhood Energy Challenge, which we'll launch that day.

We'll have talks from Senator Theresa Paiva-Weed, Newport Mayor Jeanne Marie Napolitano, Ellen Pfeiffer, of National Grid's Energy Action: Aquidneck and Jamestown, environmental educator Susan Adie, Bishop C. Dale White of RI Interfaith Power and Light, a representative of the Aquidneck Island Watershed Council, and others.

We'll have music from the Recovery All Stars, an opportunity to sign up for the Challenge, and informational exhibits on ways to save energy and cut carbon.

Rain or shine! Free parking in the east lot (the one closer to Atlantic Beach Club.) We'll be on the bathhouse end of the "boardwalk."

International Day of Climate Action-Providence

Time: 9 AM


Location: 1st UU Church, Benevolent St., Providence

Workshops on varied topics, including: How to Write an OpEd Piece and Get It Published, Individual Food Choices and Climate Change, Home Energy Conservation Strategies, Must Have Standards in Energy Legislation, and Using the New Media to Build Public Opinion.

There will also be letter writing all morning to President Obama encouraging a strong US position for the Copenhagen global climate talks that will take place in December.

International day of Climate Action-Providence

Time: 12 PM


Location: Waterplace Park, Providence

A rally at Waterplace Park will open with The Beneficent Congregational Church Choir chanting, drumming and singing. Speakers on the program include Greg Gerritt of Prosperity For Rhode Island, Paul Beaudette, President of the Environment Council of Rhode Island and the Reverend Barbara Fast of the Westminster Unitarian Church in East Greenwich. A Brown University Watson Environmental Scholar from Africa studying Climate Change is expected to present a global picture of the situation. The rally will also include children’s activities and a phoptgraph of the participants in a 350 configuration in solidarity with 350 pictures taken at rallies across the globe on that day.

International Day of Climate Action-Wakefield

Time: 2 PM


Location: Peace Dale Congregational Church, 261 Columbia St., Wakefield

Christine Muller will speak about “Climate Change and Justice” in the Fellowship Hall. also during the afternoon, church bells will ring throughout southern Rhode Island.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Follow the Water! Streamflow and Water Availability

Time: 4 to 7 PM


Location: CCRI – Warwick Campus, Rm. 4080

The starting point for managing our state’s shared water resources is a look at how much water we have and where it is. Get a glimpse of the big picture of regional water supplies. Learn about DEM’s study of water availability in RI. Hear how the RI Water Resources Board and one local community are using this information.

The Coalition for Water Security, a partnership of many of the state's leading environmental and quality of life groups, invites you to this event, featuring:

Alisa Richardson, PE, Principal Engineer, Office of Water Resources, Rhode Island DEM

Mark Smith, The Nature Conservancy, Director, Eastern Freshwater Program

Kenneth Burke, General Manager , RI Water Resources Board

Jon Reiner, Director of Planning, Town of North Kingstown

To register or for more information contact:

Jane Austin at jaustin@savebay.org or 272-3540 x123



Posted by at
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)