What’s Next for the MSJE?
Have you heard? The UUA recommends that UU churches not open for services until May 2021. Certainly, things have changed since the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines came into effect. The good news is that the MSJE and our social justice work can become more popular and even more productive if we become creative and use mass media constructively. With our new minister coming in July, for the year 2020 - 2021 the MSJE will need to develop digital expertise to continue our work. So, put on your thinking caps! We need your ideas and suggestions!
We plan to continue working with our current partners - Family Promise (FP) of Bryan/CS, BISD Hope’s Locker, Pride Community Center, Brazos Valley Interfaith Immigration Network (BIIN), Climate Change Lobbyist (CCL) & TX UU Justice Ministry (TXUUJM). In addition, the UUA has specific social justice programs with which we can participate involving economic, climate & environment, immigrant, LGBTQ, racial, reproductive & voting rights justice.
Specifically, with the November election looming, working to prevent voter suppression and trying to increase voter registration in our area may be something we could focus on. The UUA has begun a campaign, UU the Vote, to help congregations support democratic processes in our governments. I hope we can work with the UUA, Texas UU Justice Ministry (TxUUJM) and the local chapter of the TX Democratic Women (TDW) to get out the vote. Rev. Chuck Freeman is willing to help mobilize the MSJE in this venture, so hopefully we can invite him to speak with us soon. https://www.uua.org/justice/vote2020 http://txuujm.org https://tdw.org .
WHAT A SUCCESS WE ARE!
To show how powerful we can be, in April 2020, one member suggested a collection for the Emergency BIIN Cares Fund for immigrant families who will not receive assistancefrom the Coronavirus stimulus package. We collected over $2250 in donations from individuals in the congregation and also donated $1250 from our Neighbors in Need Grant (for Sanctuary Movement work) for a total donation of $3500 to this emergency fund. We made a difference!
Split-the-Plate Needs a Revival - Historically, Split-the-Plate has been very successful in collecting money to support nonprofit organization with which we are involved. Since 2010, the MSJE contributed $17,546 through Split the Plate to different organizations. From June 2019 to March 2020, MSJE raised $2766.38 through Split-the-Plate. This averages to about $277/month up from $137/month during the June 2018 to May 2020 collection. However, since the emergence of the COVID-19 virus social distancing policies and the church performing services on-line since March 2020, Split-the-Plate collections have been very low with a collection of only $57.08 In April 2020. We need to revive Split-the-Plate. How can we do that? We need your ideas!
The Green Tip of the Week his needing your help also, Many feel that the Green Tip of the Week as been effective in helping individuals change their daily habits to be more environmentally friendly. We are running out of tips. Please consider contributing your Green Tip of the Week to MSJE, msje-brazos-uu@googlegroups.com.
Keep up with the MSJE Happenings by going to https://www.brazos-uu.org/blog.
Pam Johnson
Co-Chair UUCBV MSJE
