We will pass the basket to benefit Dana Visalli's peace-making
and environmental efforts in Iraq. All cash donations in the offertory
will be given for this cause.
There is much talk of a need to increase the U.S. military. This
workshop will inform youth, parents and others about how to document
CO status in preparation for a potential draft. Musician Michael
Stern, himself a conscientious objector, will perform original
folk songs. The workshop is led by Rocci Hildum.
CASHMERE - intersection of Cottage and Division, 4-5 pm.
WENATCHEE - intersection of Chelan & Orondo, 5:15- 6:15 pm.
Bring a sign or candle (or borrow one on site).
NATIONAL ACTIONS
SUPPORT DIPLOMACY
The UUA Washington Office for Advocacy is pursuing an intensive
campaign to pass House Resolution 3797. This would require
immediate regional negotiations aimed at U.S. redeployment from
Iraq and the stabilization of Iraq and the region. We believe that as
a religious movement that strongly supports diplomacy, multilateralism,
and being in right relationship we are uniquely situated to
support and advocate for this bill. Send an email or call your legislators
now in support of H.R. 3797.
FROM AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
Thanks to everyone who took part in the 2007 Global Write-a-
Thon Amnesty's largest and most renowned letter writing event.
Because of your interest we surpassed our goal of 70,000 letters to
be written to free prisoners of conscience and jailed human rights
defenders around the world. We hope that you will join us for next
year's Write-a-thon on December 10, 2008!
Darfur and Socially Responsible Investing
UUSC’s "Drumbeat for Darfur" campaign has formally joined
hands with the Fidelity Out of Sudan divestment campaign to cut
off the flow of funds that are financing the Sudanese campaign of
genocide in Darfur. Fidelity Investment's continued support in
certain companies is providing precious funds to continue the
horrifying genocide of the Darfurian people.
Take action! Send an immediate email to Fidelity through the
UUSC Legislative Action Center, or call Fidelity at 800-343-3548 and ask that they
sell their remaining PetroChina and Sinopec shares on the New
York Stock Exchange and divest all of their holdings on the Hong
Kong Stock Exchange.
Check that your investments are not in Sudanese companies by
using this "screener" site. View socially
responsible investing firms at socialinvest.org.
Past Events
UPDATE!
SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD & MLK DAY
CUUF Social Action Team nominee, Ruth Esparza, and the
Wenatchee Just Housing Coalition were awarded the 2008 Social
Justice Award by Mayor Johnson at the Martin Luther King Day
celebration on Jan. 21. The Social Action team also sponsored the
Children's March, which was a big hit with about 50 kids participating.
The Mayor will award the local 2008 "Civil Rights and Social
Justice Award". Written nominations for the award are due to the
mayor's office by Dec. 31. Our own CUUF member, Rocci
Hildum, was the 1st recipient of this award in 2005.
The CUUF Social Action Team will sponsor a booth at the event.
In recognition of International Human Rights Day, on Sunday,
Dec. 9, the CUUF Social/Environmental Action Team will
provide materials from Amnesty International's Global "Write-a
Thon" for the fellowship to write letters of support to non-violent
prisoners of conscience around the world.
UPDATE:
In observance of Human
Rights Day, the CUUF Social Action team sent 14 letters to
international governments asking for the release of prisoners
of conscience.
The CUUF Social/Environmental Action Team has
begun quarterly “Social/Environmental Action Sundays”. Service
attendees will be informed of an organization whose work is
aligned with the 7 Principles of Unitarian Universalism and
the basket will be passed for donations for that
group.
Salee Allawe, a 10-year-old Iraqi girl who lost
both legs last year in what her family said was a U.S. air
strike on the outskirts of Baghdad, recently was fitted with
mechanical knees and prosthetic limbs at the Shriners Hospital
for Children in Greenville, S.C. Also killed in the attack
were Salee's 13-yearold brother and her best
friend.
Cole Miller, founder of Los Angeles-based No
More Victims, a grass-roots organization dedicated to
assisting Iraqi children injured in the war, was instrumental
in raising money to bring Salee to the U.S. for her corrective
surgery. "There are thousands of Salees in Iraq," Miller said.
"I don't consider this charity. It's
responsibility.”
--from an article in the Los Angeles
Times, Oct. 16, 2007
On Sunday, November 11, the cash proceeds from the offertory
basket will be donated to the organization "No More Victims"
which provides medical assistance to Iraqi children injured in the
war. Checks may also be made out to the nonprofit and placed in
the offertory.
In October, our own Rev. William G. Sinkford, President of
the Unitarian Universalist Association, and Rev. John Thomas,
President of the United Church of Christ, together delivered
75,000 signatures to Congress asking to end the occupation of
Iraq.
UU ADVOCACY
The UUA’s Justice Action Network informs us on current
legislation, resources, and actions which give voice to our UU
values. The Washington Office for Advocacy priority issues for
2007 are as follows:
Civil Rights and Religious Liberty
Religion and State
Bisexual Gay Lesbian Transgender Issues
Darfur
Criminal Justice
Immigration
Voting Rights
International Issues
Global HIV/AIDS
Human Trafficking
Iraq Occupation
Torture
Iran Diplomacy
Women's Issues
Human Rights in the Philippines
Violence Against Women
Comprehensive Sexuality Education
Civil Liberties
Reproductive Health and Family
Planning
UU State Advocacy Networks
In addition to
the work being done by the Washington Office, there are
several UU state advocacy groups across the country working on
these and other issues. To find out more about them please
visit the UU State Advocacy Networks website and sign-up to
receive informational emails through the Justice Action
Network.
The Wenatchee Valley Environmental
Film Series presents a “Celebration Sampler” - an evening of
films from Telluride’s Mountainfilm On Tour, with accompanying
hors d’ oeuvres, desserts and fine wines. The event is
sponsored by the Trust of Public Lands and Chelan-Douglas Land
Trust. Tickets are $35, and can be reserved by calling
Michelle Loudon at 664-3349.
The Chelan-Douglas Land Trust is building
a large section of new trail to connect Horse Lake Road to the
Sage Hills. They need a volunteer crew of trail grubbers,
scratchers, flaggers, porters and supporters. Pick a day and
come lend a hand! Contact Patrick Walker if you would like to
help, (509) 667-9708 or patrick@cdlandtrust.org.
The CUUF Social/Environmental Action team invites you to join in the
"Interfaith Fast for Peace".
This event is co-sponsored by many faith
groups, including the UUA. More information can be found at the website -
www.interfaithfast.org.
"We call on all Americans to join in fasting from dawn to dusk on
Monday, October 8, to call for an end to the Iraq War. On this day, people
of faith in local communities across our nation will act as catalysts to
transform the meaning of the day from one of conquest to community and
from violence to reverence."
The CUUF Social/Environmental Action Team will be carpooling over to
Seattle to attend the National "United for Peace" Rally asking
Congress to end the U.S. occupation of Iraq. Please contact
Diane Groody, dgroody@charter.net, or Peggy Love,
jlschlaman@charter.net, if you want to join us for this event.
Day Long Prayer Vigil
At Wenatchee Brethren-Baptist Church United (Okanogan & Peachey)
(Please enter from the parking lot side)
Quiet vigil begins at 6:00 a.m.
Written prayers will be available on hand-outs
Candles will be available for lighting
Occasional verbal requests for prayers may be requested when clusters gather
Add your prayers and the prayer of your presence
Pray for everyone in conflict, especially in Iraq
Pray for those who suffer because of the conflict, both abroad and here at home
Pray for God's power to turn attitudes of violence into attitudes of peacemaking
Pray that every family's cry to God, that their loved ones be brought home safely, will be fulfilled
Candle-light prayer circle and march 6:30 p.m.
Gather at the First United Methodist Church parking lot (941 Washington)
Silent candle-light march will proceed to the Brethren-Baptist church
Non-marches may drive to the vigil and await the marchers
Prayer service to end the vigil 7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
At Wenatchee Brethren-Baptist Church United
A corporate offering of prayers and a celebration of the faith that God desires our prayers
Cascade Unitarian Universalist
Fellowship: 1550 Sunset Hwy., East Wenatchee, WA 98802 | 509-886-4023
