Social Justice Blog
Social Justice is our way of life, our credo, and the title of this blog. It is maintained by the Faith In Action Council of Orange Coast UU Church. To learn more, contact us at fia
ocuuc
org (fiaocuucorg) .
January Faith In Action Committee Meeting Minutes and Action Points
Faith In Action met today to discuss items for the next few weeks.
Within OCUUC, AIDS Team Ministry can use a few new drivers. Contact Mary Lundholm (presidentocuucorg) to volunteer. Our program continues to meet the needs of the neediest here in Orange County living with AIDS.
Also, the 42-42-42 program, which will begin March 11th and culminate on Earth Day, April 22, involves the following:
Getting 42 or more people at OCUUC to commit, for a period of 42 days leading up to the 42nd Earth Day, to taking action of their choice with respect to food ethics.
Please contact Maureen McConaghy if you would like to participate.
Outside of OCUUC, we need your help on a number of items:
#1:
Our church voted to support SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act.
The bill has now passed out of an important State Senate committee and may come to a vote in the full State Senate as early as Wednesday the 25th. Some State Senators, including Lou Correa of Santa Ana, are key Senators who’s support we need in order to pass SB 810. Their names and numbers are listed below. Please call on Monday or Tuesday to let them know you support this bill. These are direct numbers to their offices in Sacramento.
Senator Lou Correa (Orange County/Santa Ana area)
Phone: (916) 651-4034
Senator Ed Hernandez (Los Angeles/West Covina area)
Phone: (916) 651-4024
Senator Michael Rubio (Fresno/Bakersfield area)
Phone: (916) 651-4016
Senator Juan Vargas (San Diego area)
Phone: (916) 651-4040
Senator Ron Calderon (Los Angeles/Montebello area)
Phone: (916) 651-4030
#2:
The SAFE California Act
is a ballot initiative that replaces California’s death penalty with life without the possibility of parole. In order to qualify for the November 2012 ballot, we need to gather signatures. Click here to sign the petition to get this on the ballot. We will also have petitions on the Faith In Action table for the next three weeks.
#3:On January 15, more than 20 people from four UU congregations in the Orange County, CA area attended a workshop and training withGrassroots Leadership.
UUs from Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Fullerton, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Laguna Beach, and Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church in Costa Mesa joined those from Tapestry, a Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Mission Viejo, CA.
Donna Red Wing, Executive Director of Grassroots Leadership, and Bob Libal, senior organizer, guided attendees in developing a plan to implement a visitation program at James A. Musick immigration detention center in Irvine, CA — the first of its kind in southern California. Participants also heard from Jose de Jesus Penaflor, an ex-detainee who talked about his life before, during, and after detention. He was bonded out by a fund created at First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles.
If you are interested in this issue, please contact Birdie Reed immediately. Over the next 6 weeks, plans will be in the works to organize efforts throughout all UU Congregations in Orange County. A meeting will be held on February 26 at a site to be determined. We will keep you posted on the location of that meeting as the date gets closer.
#4:
On January 19th, AB 1148
passed the CA Assembly Appropriations Committee with a 12 – 5 vote in favor. The California Clean Money Campaign needs help making phone calls to mobilize their constituents to ask for them to support AB 1148. PLEASE COME HELP make phone calls into strategic assembly districts. Click here to register and to get details on their next phone banking event.
#5:
We all enjoy eating out. Unfortunately, the workers
who cook, prepare, and serve our food suffer from poverty wages, no benefits like paid sick days, and little or no chance to move up to better positions. When the people who serve us food can’t afford to pay the rent or take a day off when they’re sick, our dining experience suffers. The newly released Restaurant Opportunities Center’s National Diners’ Guide 2012 provides information on the wage, benefits, and promotion practices of the 150 most popular restaurants in America. The Guide lists responsible restaurants where you can eat knowing that your server can afford to pay the rent and your cook isn’t working while sick.
Click here to download a copy of this year’s guide.
For the latest information on these issues, visit us at the Faith In Action Table after both services.
How do you help others? How can OCUUC help you help others? We can help by working together!
October Faith In Action Council Meeting Minutes
The Faith In Action Council met this afternoon. Here are the minutes of the meeting.
Within OCUUC:
AIDS Team Ministry update – Clients are switching back to us because our food tastes better! We have three freezers full of food and an active list of clients, but can use more help with logistics. Contact Ted Lundholm (atmocuucorg) to help.
Join us at the Program Fair on Sunday, November 13th between services where we will ask you “What Do You Do For Others?” Perhaps there are issues of social justice that you have in common with fellow OCUUCers!
Other UU Organizations Outside of OCUUC:
The 28th Annual UU Service Committee Latin American Encuentro was held yesterday at First Church Los Angeles. It was the kickoff of the Social Justice GA that will be held June 20-24, 2012 in Phoenix. As you may know, General Assembly 2012 will be a gathering with multiple ways of engaging in justice work for people of all ages. Joining with the people of Arizona, we will worship, witness, learn and work together.
The regional coordinator is Emrys Staton. You can also learn more online by following these important
UU Legislative Ministry of California’s annual Leadership Summit will be held at Camp deBenneville Pines November 18-20. This will be an in depth training opportunity for justice leaders. Our Young Leaders SALT (Spiritual Activist Leadership Training) participants will also be engaged in this.
Organizations Recognized by OCUUC:
The California Alliance for Retired Americans held their 2011 Annual Convention last week in Long Beach. 8 resolutions passed:
1.) Eliminate the Death Penalty
2.)Protect Workers Rights
3.)Disclose Political Supporters
4.) Gay Pride Month Senior Centers
5.) Pedestrian Safety
6.)Protect CA from Dangers of Nuclear Power Plants
7.)Support an Immigration Policy based on Labor and Human Rights
8.) Outlaw Hiring Discrimination against the Unemployed
Consider joining this organization if these issues appeal to you (and you don’t have to be a retiree!) See Eva Lu Goodwin Noriega for details.
CARA Town Hall on Social Security, Medicare, and Medi-Cal will be held on Wednesday, November 16, from 2pm – 4pm. It will be held at the Dayle McIntosh Center, 13272 Garden Grove Boulevard, Garden Grove, CA 92843 (map). The town hall meeting regards the federal budget negotiations in the Supercommittee, and how they will effect Social Security, Medicare, and Medi-Cal. If you or your loved ones are effected, this is an important opportunity to make your voice heard. Contact Eva Lu Goodwin Noriega for details.
ACLU Southern California is taking a stand against the death penalty in 2012. The SAFE California Campaign is working to give voters a chance to replace the death penalty on the November 2012 ballot. But the work begins now. Contact Birdie Reed if interested in this issue.
This past Friday, the Student/Farmworker Alliance marched against Trader Joe’s. One of the local organizers was Natasha Noriega-Goodwin. Click here to read more about this very interesting, but seldom heard about event.
Faith In Action meets monthly, usually on the third Sunday of the month. You are always welcome to attend, organize, and get people interested about a social justice issue important to you.
Sincerely,
Charlie and Birdie Reed, Eva Lu Goodwin Noriega, Pat McCully, Ken Arnold, Dan Noel, Earl Hardenbrook, and Mike Harmanos, Chair
UUSC’s Latin American Encuentro on Saturday, October 22
Join the Southern California unit of the UU Service Committee on Saturday, October 22, 10 AM at First Unitarian in Los Angeles for the 28th Annual Latin American Encuentro. This annual event addresses priority social justice issues in Southern California.
This year’s theme is The Immigration Crisis: Humane Responses. It promises to be an excellent primer to the Justice General Assembly held next June in Phoenix.
Topics Include:
- “Immigration Situation Unchanged – Stop Deportations Now!” with Caitlin Williams, Esperanza Immigrant Program Director.
- Current Legislation with Dan Straka of UURISE
- General Assembly 2012 – Justice GA in Phoenix with Emrys Staton, Organizer
- First UU Church of Los Angeles Outreach Efforts with Rev. Rick Hoyt, Paul Kratzer, Rochelle McAdam, and Community Members
- “MIA in Guatemala” with OCUUC’s dear friend Lucia Muñoz
- A visit to the Francis Avenue Garden and conversation with neighbors in the community.
Register with Ted Shapin, Director of the UUSC Unit of Southern California. It is best to call Ted directly at this point at (714) 567-0188 to register. More information can be found on this flyer.
Consider taking Metrolink to this event via Union Station and then the Red Line to Vermont Avenue.
Social Justice Leadership Webinar, Monday October 24
Kayla Parker, UUA Campus Ministry Associate, is hosting a webinar on service and social justice. Please consider attending, there are funds to scholarship leadership training and to contact me if financial assistance is needed. Contact Mary Lundholm, presidentocuucorg for financial assistance.
The theme of the year is justice. What are we as Campus Uniatian Universalists doing to serve our communities and be stewards of social jusitce? Come share your stories as we learn from one another about the work we can be doing in our neighborhoods and world.
This month, our webinar will be on Service and Social Justice and will be held on Monday, October 24th at 1 pm Pacific.
In addition to having ample time for sharing and discussion, we will be able to hear from Erik Mohn, the Young Adult Spirituality and Service Consultant at the UUA and employee of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee on projects he is working on that might enrich our own programming.
YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR THIS WEBINAR. For more information on the webinar and how to register, please refer to this link: http://www.facebook.com/notes/campus-uus/best-practices-in-campus-ministry-iv-service-and-social-justice/270996599589177 (you do not need facebook to view this page).
OCUUC Lends A Hand at Second Harvest Food Bank
This morning, OCUUC helped out at Second Harvest Food Bank of Orange County‘s distribution at Orangethorpe United Methodist Church in Fullerton. Thanks to Louis Mutalipassi, Jennifer and Dale Baisch, Mary and Ted Lundholm and Mike Harmanos for volunteering this morning. Thanks also to Merrie Lee Wooten and Marci Carey for coordinating with Orangethorpe UMC to get us there and part of the crew.
Orangethorpe UMC will host Second Harvest again on Saturday, September 17 at 8:30 AM. All are welcome. The church is located off of the 5 and the 91, near the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Orangethorpe Avenue.
Landon Singer-Harmanos and Friend Were on Pepper Duty
Team UU Wins Award for AIDS Walk OC 2011
Team UU: Unitarian Universalists of OC received a certificate for 3rd highest fundraising team from the AIDS Walk OC 2011!!!
On May 1st, Karen Magoon Pearson, Amanda Horack, and Jonathan Pearson Magoon participated in the 25th annual AIDS Walk at Disneyland. Amanda raised about $300 total to go toward the AIDS Services Foundation of Orange County.
Amanda said “I feel very fortunate that friends from OCUUC (and family and classmates) donated money to the cause. I ended up becoming good friends with Steven Fenn and his partner Jose Lopez through the AIDS Walk. They served as Co-Organizers for Team UU. They are both new Board members at the Anaheim UU Church.”
Steven and Jose accepted the award at the dinner held at Jazz Kitchen in Anaheimrecently.
Congratulations to OCUUC and all UU’s in Orange County for this outstanding award!!
PRESS RELEASE: Orange Coast UU Church Throws Support Behind SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act
Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) voted to endorse SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act at its annual congregational meeting, thereby cementing its stance that access to affordable, quality health care is a fundamental human right.
COSTA MESA, Calif., June 23, 2011 — Orange Coast Unitarian Church (OCUUC), a welcoming, liberal church congregation known for social justice and community service, today announces its endorsement of SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act, affirming its guiding principles that good health is essential for all life and therefore all Californians should have access to quality health care and coverage at affordable costs. SB 810, the California Universal Health Care Act was authored by Senator Mark Leno, D-San Francisco in March 2011, and provides for a “Medicare-For-All” style single-payer health care reform plan.
“Orange Coast UU Church is committed to fair and equal treatment of all people,” said Mary Paliescheskey-Lundholm, President of OCUUC. “As part of our social justice program, we voted as a congregation to support the passing of SB 810 to provide healthcare to everyone in California regardless of economic status.”
With OCUUC’s congregational vote to endorse SB810, it promises to support the Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of California and its covenant to reach the following goals:
- UNIVERSAL COMPREHENSIVE HEALTH CARE COVERAGE: Ensure access to quality health care and coverage at affordable costs for all Californians. We hold as essential the provision of Quality Universal Healthcare with coverage for all members of our community. Coverage should include the most vulnerable (who are least able to inform and participate in public policy); including children and students, very low, low and moderate wage employees (irrespective of documentation status), people seeking employment, people with “pre-existing conditions,” the homeless, and those with special disabilities, rare diagnoses and chronic illness. This quality healthcare should also be comprehensive, including medical, dental, vision, mental health and prescription services.
- INSURER OVERSIGHT: Establish oversight including stronger rules regulating insurers to elevate standards for coverage that preserve and increase consumer protections for all Californians.
- LARGE PURCHASING POOLS FOR ALL that allow consumers to share risk, as opposed to efforts to shift risk and place financial burdens and barriers on individual consumers and families.
- SINGLE PAYER INSURANCE SYSTEM: Work towards the development of a non-profit single payer system, which dramatically cuts administrative waste for both providers and patients alike.
- PRESERVATION OF OUR SAFETY NETS: Including community and public health clinics, mental health and dental clinics, and public hospitals, on which we all rely, especially people who are left out of the system and without coverage.
- SUPPORT FOR BOTH THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLBEING of the population, including an emphasis on preservation of health and prevention of illness.
- COST CONTAINMENT: Support cost containment focused on prevention, safety, efficiency, transparency, and group purchasing so that consumers pay less and get more.
- DIVERSITY AND EQUITY: Meet the specific needs of the full diversity of California, toward equity and access for all. Any health care system should include language accessibility and address cultural diversity.
“I can’t think of a better way to live out our UU principles than by supporting SB810,” said Reverend Dr. Karen Stoyanoff, minister of OCUUC. “It treats everyone with respect for their inherent worth and dignity. I’m so proud of OCUUC and their willingness to stand up for justice in this case!”
Founded in 1953, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church is a welcoming community encompassing different cultural backgrounds, lifestyles, and religious perspectives. OCUUC celebrates life and work on healing a wounded world, living out a three-fold purpose of seeking truth, building just communities, and caring for one another.
Most recently, OCUUC sent several members to Phoenix to protest Arizona’s SB 1070 as part of “Standing on the Side of Love,” a public advocacy campaign that seeks to harness love’s power to stop oppression.
For more information and news from Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist church, visit http://ocuuc.org/, follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ocuuc (or @OCUUC), or like our page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Orange-Coast-Unitarian-Universalist/104923262884411.
About Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (http://ocuuc.org/)
Founded in 1953 by Catherine L. Hofmann, a minister’s daughter, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church (OCUUC) was formed in her living room, after she found no liberal churches that suited her in Orange County. By 1960, OCUUC was established in its current hilltop building at 1259 Victoria Street in Costa Mesa, California, coinciding with the year that Universalists and Unitarians combined to form one religion. As Unitarian Universalists, OCUUC affirms and promotes the inherent dignity and worth of every person; justice, equity, and compassion in human relations; acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; a free and responsible search for truth and meaning; the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; the goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. OCUUC holds services each Sunday and a calendar of events can be found at http://ocuuc.org/. Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church is a member of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA).
SOURCE Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church
Beth Lear-VanderYacht – 1259 Victoria Street, Costa Mesa, CA 92627 – (949) 646-4652 - infoocuucorg (infoocuucorg) - http://ocuuc.org
Faith In Action Agenda Item for Congregational Meeting
The following is Agenda Item #9 for our Congregational Meeting on Saturday, June 11. For more information about the bill from a UU perspective, please visit the UU Legislative Ministry Health Care Reform website. A fact sheet in favor of the legislation can be found here.
Resolved
Whereas access to quality, affordable health care is the work of two UU Social Justice Organizations – the Economic Justice Action Group and UUs for a Just Economic Community, and,
Whereas The UU Legislative Ministry for California’s Health Care Reform Steering Committee has written letters in support of the following legislation and is closely watching them as they make their way to thru the legislative process and to the Governor’s desk, and
Whereas The following bill represent opportunities in California to further implement the Affordable Care Act, and
Whereas the Faith in Action Council of Orange Coast UU Church fully and unanimously supports the following legislation, therefore
Be it resolved that the congregation of Orange Coast UU Church of Costa Mesa, CA endorses SB 810, the Single Payer Universal Health Care Act of California.
OCUUC in the Register for OC AIDS Walk
Congrats to Karen Magoon Pearson, Jonathan Pearson Magoon, and Amanda Horack for making the Monday, May 1st edition of the Orange County Register for participating in the 25th annual OC AIDS Walk!
“It was cool to know that all those people were there for this one issue. Everyone was excited,” said Karen Magoon Pearson, who was walking with her husband, Jonathan Pearson Magoon.
Magoon Pearson and her husband both have uncles who died of AIDS complications. “It’s a close issue in our families,” she said.
The couple walked with a group from Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church of Costa Mesa. Amanda Horack, who has participated for two years, was also with the church.
“The walk was fun. I’m glad to do it. I feel very fortunate,” Horack said. The event brings the community together, she said.
You can find the rest of the article here.
Photo by Armando Brown for the Orange County Register
Bill Schulz Speaks at OCUUC
On Tuesday, April 26, OCUUC was honored to have Dr. Bill Schulz, President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Commiteee, speak to about 75 people.
Rev. Dr. Bill Schulz of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee speaks to OCUUC, April 26, 2011
Dr. Schulz first spoke about The Seven Deadly Sins. One of the sins NOT of the seven is Cruelty, and yet it is pretty common, but no less despicable. It makes the whole world less radiant. If there is one thing that UU teaches us, it is that the world is a bountiful, radiant place.
Cruelty is despicable because it erects road blocks to beauty. UUSC’s job is, therefore, to combat cruelty, in order to set radiance free.
UUSC does this in a number of ways:
- Saved women from the escape of rape by UN soldiers in Darfur.
- Helped codify the Earth’s rights in the new Ecuadorian Constitution
- Built a forensic laboratory in Guatemala to bring killers of Mayan natives to justice
- Raised the wages of poultry workers in Arkansas and restauarant workers in Georgia.
- Worked with liberal Islamic groups in the middle east to bring human rights to the forefront, some of which in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt.
- Donated $2 million to Haitian relief efforts combatting child slavery and poor health care.
A donation to UUSC can be thought of like a Cruelty Offset – like carbon offsets!
It was an entertaining, engaging conversation. Please consider joining this outstanding organization. Contact Jane Jepson (uuscocuucorg) to find out how.
