Committees
Film Screening: Conversation with the Valve Turners
Friday, January 6th, 7:00 PM, Eliot Hall - submitted by Joan Gregory, Environmental Ministry
Cosponsored by: Environmental Ministry, Association for the Tree of Life, and Climate Emergency Coalition
“If people are not acting as if there’s an emergency, people don’t believe there’s an emergency. So for me, this is about acting consistent with the threat I’m seeing.”
– Leonard Higgens, valve turner
On October 11, 2016, five brave climate activists, determined to act commensurately with the truth of unfolding climate cataclysm, closed safety valves on the 5 pipelines carrying tar sands crude oil into the United States – stopping 15% of US oil flow for an entire business day.
"The biggest coordinated move on US energy infrastructure ever undertaken by protesters.” – Reuters
Come listen to the valve turners’ deep reflections about courage, fear, hope, and motivations for action, a web video chat hosted by author Kathleen Dean Moore – a 1:10 hour film – and then join the discussion. We’ll begin with a 7-minute film about the action by Utah’s own Steve Liptay, who faces 2 misdemeanors for his role in documenting the action.
Was this an appropriate and practical response to terrifying climate conditions?
Who are we going to be in the face of what is going on?
What are effective responses to Trump?
How can we support the valve turners in their trials?
“Even as seas rise against the shores, another great tide is beginning to rise — So, let us be .... a tide of outrage against the pillage of the planet, let us be ... a tide of commitment to justice and human rights, let us be ... a swelling affirmation of moral responsibility to the future and to Earth's fullness of life.” – Kathleen Dean Moore, Great Tide Rising
Threatened Bear River Program
Friday, January 20, 7pm, Eliot Hall -submitted by Judy Lord, Environmental Ministry
After years of lurking in the shadows, the proposed Bear River water diversion has emerged as a proposal to provide additional lawn water for Wasatch Front residents. Water lobbyists at the Utah Legislature are proposing to spend at least $2.5 billion to divert the Bear River — the Great Salt Lake’s single largest source of water each year. Although the project has been given initial funding and a green light from the Legislature, many people are left with a list of questions about the project and its impacts: What will happen to the Great Salt Lake's wetlands if the diversion is approved, what are the next steps for the project’s approval process and what can be done to stop this destructive project?
Zach Frankel, Executive Director of the Utah Rivers Council, will present an interactive presentation on the Bear River Water Grab and discuss the many alternatives to diverting the life source for the Great Salt Lake.
It happens every year. The run-up to Christmas makes such demands on people’s time and energy that workaday routines are suspended from mid-November to New Year’s Day. The car’s oil doesn’t get changed, the colonoscopy is postponed, the cobwebs go unchallenged and the furniture donations to the Refugee Resettlement Committee (RRC) cease. Starting off the new year with empty warehouses leaves RRC volunteers scrambling to set up apartments for January arrivals from Sudan and Iraq. Please, as your routine reasserts itself this week, make it a priority to recycle your sofa, chairs, tables and lamps. Call Joe Dubray at (904) 527-9773 to schedule a pick-up.
Standing Rock: Update and Taking Action
-submitted by Joan M. Gregory, Co-Coordinator, Environmental Ministry
The water protectors remain in Standing Rock and they are standing strong to watch and witness as the situation on the ground changes daily. However, they are no longer asking folks to head to Standing Rock, right now. Harsh weather – snow and blizzards are making travel and living extremely difficult and dangerous. Survival is a real issue. There are also people there who are injured or in poor health, they are being advised to head home. The Camp of the Sacred Stone and several others are still in place and they are in need of support for shelter, heat and food. Environmental Ministry is continuing to collect and send funds.
This is not over. The water protectors have stated that they “will not leave until the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL) is dead, the water is safe, and treaty rights are recognized.”
The Last Real Indians #NoDAPL Aid fundraising effort: https://www.generosity.com/fundraising/last-real-indians-nodapl-aid is currently the number one way to get monetary support directly to the protectors for yurts, 4WD pickups, snowmobiles, the rebuilding of kitchens, porta potties and any other winterization needs the protectors deem necessary. You may donate directly or stop by the Environmental Ministry table on Sunday to make a donation and find out more.
December is also a Global Month of Action to divest from the banks which fund DAPL, a list of banks and steps are posted here: http://www.defunddapl.org/.
5th Grader to Petition Salt Lake City Council to Ban Plastic Bags
-submitted by Julie Miller, Director of Religious Education and Joan M. Gregory, Co-Coordinator, Environmental Ministry
When our children stand up and take action, it’s important for us to support them, right? Well now’s our chance!
Liam, a fifth grader at Uintah Elementary School and a member of the First Unitarian Church, started a petition last Spring to ban the use of plastic bags by retail stores in Salt Lake City. He was inspired to do this after writing an essay in his class about the environmental dangers of plastic bags and how other cities and countries have banned their use. He now has over 200 names on the petition – one of those signatures is likely yours if you have stopped by the Environmental Ministry table within the last few months.
Liam will be attending the Salt Lake City Council Meeting on 12/6/16 with a group of kids from Uintah Elementary and First Unitarian Church who also support this project. He will present his petition to the Council and ask that they pass an ordinance to ban the use of plastic bags by retail stores in Salt Lake City.
We invite you to attend the Salt Lake City Council Meeting on Tuesday, 12/6/16 starting at 7:00PM at the Salt Lake City & County Building on 451 S. State Street to support this project. You can park in the underground parking at the Downtown Salt Lake Library and receive parking validations at the meeting.
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Environmental Ministry will screen “Before the Flood” on Fri, Dec 2nd, 7PM, Eliot Hall, First Unitarian Church. “Before the Flood” presents a riveting account of the dramatic changes now occurring around the world due to climate change, as well as the actions we as individuals and as a society can take to prevent catastrophic disruption of life on our planet.
YRUU Recycling Fundraiser YRUU is still collecting ewaste for recycling each Sunday at the Environmental Ministry table. Please donate your used printer cartridges, old phones and ipods. They do not take any cables, large electronics, or batteries. See planetgreenrecycle.org/slcuyruu for details. Thank you!
Refugee Resettlement Committee We find ourselves in an age of ill-mannered “mansplaining” and “mansprawling.” (Dude, it’s rude!) Neither of the newly minted words cast men in a favorable light. But if your sofa sags from years of mansprawl and no amount of mansplaining can dissuade you from an upgrade, call the Refugee Resettlement Committee to intervene. Rid yourself of man-worn chairs, tables, lamps—everything but his old clothes. Chill, dude, refugees will be grateful. Call Joe Dubray at (904) 527-9773 to recycle furniture. No mansplaining. Guaranteed.
Dinner and Dialogue Dinner and Dialogue is going strong! There have already been several dinners, and we have many more in the works clear through May. Feel free to sign up in the white binder in Eliot Hall at the Congregational Life Table to host or attend a dinner in order to connect with people in our congregation. If you have any questions, please call Darlene Thayne at 801-455-6553 or send me an email to .
Mindfulness Group Sundays Following the end of the first service, in the Parlor.
UU Lunch Bunch A family-friendly group for anyone and everyone who would like to get together for lunch and chat with like-minded people. Meet at the Restaurant on Sundays at noon during the summer. For more information contact Sonia Carnell at (801) 262-1151 or .
December 4: Mellow Mushroom (1080 East 2100 South)
December 11: Pho Thin (2121 McClelland)
December 18: Current Fish & Oyster (279 East 300 South)
December 25: No lunch bunch
January 1: No lunch bunch
YRUU Recycling Fundraiser YRUU is still collecting ewaste for recycling each Sunday at the Environmental Ministry table. Please donate your used printer cartridges, old phones and ipods. They do not take any cables, large electronics, or batteries. See planetgreenrecycle.org/slcuyruu for details. Thank you!
Refugee Resettlement Committee “All dogs secretly speak the English language and subscribe to the morals and beliefs of the Unitarian Church.” So asserts a character in Douglas Coupland’s 1991 novel, Generation X. English-speaking, Unitarian dogs are if two minds when it comes to an aging sofa. One group favors retaining the old one for naps. Another advocates recycling it to benefit refugees. Call dog whisperer Joe Dubray at (904) 527-9773 to consult about furniture donations.
The Open Minds Book Group’s next meeting will be on December 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the Haven Room at the Church. The book is “I Am Pilgrim” by Terry Hayes. All are welcome.
Dinner and Dialogue Dinner and Dialogue is going strong! There have already been several dinners, and we have many more in the works clear through May. Feel free to sign up in the white binder in Eliot Hall at the Congregational Life Table to host or attend a dinner in order to connect with people in our congregation. If you have any questions, please call Darlene Thayne at 801-455-6553 or send me an email to .
Mindfulness Group Sundays Following the end of the first service, in the Parlor.
UU Lunch Bunch A family-friendly group for anyone and everyone who would like to get together for lunch and chat with like-minded people. Meet at the Restaurant on Sundays at noon during the summer. For more information contact Sonia Carnell at (801) 262-1151 or .
November 20: Manoli’s Greek (402 East Harvey Milk Blvd. [900 South])
November 27: Lokal Kitchen (1429 South 1100 East)
December 4: Mellow Mushroom (1080 East 2100 South)
December 11: Pho Thin (2121 McClelland)
December 18: Current Fish & Oyster (279 East 300 South)
December 25: No lunch bunch
January 1: No lunch bunch
Refugee Resettlement Committee “All dogs secretly speak the English language and subscribe to the morals and beliefs of the Unitarian Church.” So asserts a character in Douglas Coupland’s 1991 novel, Generation X. English-speaking, Unitarian dogs are if two minds when it comes to an aging sofa. One group favors retaining the old one for naps. Another advocates recycling it to benefit refugees. Call dog whisperer Joe Dubray at (904) 527-9773 to consult about furniture donations.
The Open Minds Book Group’s next meeting will be on December 1st at 7:00 p.m. in the Haven Room at the Church. The book is “I Am Pilgrim” by Terry Hayes. All are welcome.
Dinner and Dialogue is going strong! There have already been several dinners, and we have many more in the works clear through May. Feel free to sign up in the white binder in Eliot Hall at the Congregational Life Table to host or attend a dinner in order to connect with people in our congregation. If you have any questions, please call Darlene Thayne at 801-455-6553 or send me an email to .
Mindfulness Group Sundays Following the end of the first service, in the Parlor.
UU Lunch Bunch A family-friendly group for anyone and everyone who would like to get together for lunch and chat with like-minded people. Meet at the Restaurant on Sundays at noon during the summer. For more information contact Sonia Carnell at (801) 262-1151 or .
November 6: Red Moose Coffee (1693 South 900 East)
November 13: Finn’s (1624 South 1100 East)
November 20: Manoli’s Greek (402 East Harvey Milk Blvd. [900 South]
November 27: Lokal Kitchen (1429 South 1100 East)
December 4: Mellow Mushroom (1080 East 2100 South)
December 11: Pho Thin (2121 McClelland)
December 18: Current Fish & Oyster (279 East 300 South)
December 25: No lunch bunch
January 1: No lunch bunch
UU Lunch Bunch A family-friendly group for anyone and everyone who would like to get together for lunch and chat with like-minded people. Meet at the Restaurant on Sundays at noon during the summer. For more information contact Sonia Carnell at (801) 262-1151 or .
November 6: Red Moose Coffee (1693 South 900 East)
November 13: Finn’s (1624 South 1100 East)
November 20: Manoli’s Greek (402 East Harvey Milk Blvd. [900 South]
November 27: Lokal Kitchen (1429 South 1100 East)
December 4: Mellow Mushroom (1080 East 2100 South)
December 11: Pho Thin (2121 McClelland)
December 18: Current Fish & Oyster (279 East 300 South)
December 25: Holiday - No lunch bunch
January 1: Holiday - No lunch bunch
UU Highway Cleanup: Just above beautiful Little Dell Reservoir, between East, Emigration, and Parley's Canyons, a sign proudly proclaims that the Salt Lake Unitarian Universalist Congregation is responsible for keeping this lovely area free of litter. Won't you join us for a few hours to take a nice walk and pick up a little trash? Saturday, October 29th, we will meet at the church at 0900, then proceed to the UDOT station East of Mt Dell golf course in Parley's Canyon. You can meet us there at 0930 if you like. If you are considering coming, please text your phone # and email to Todd Seymour (801) 783-7837, so I can email a reminder, and get an idea of who will join us. If you decide last minute and surprise us at the UDOT station, we'll be happy to see you. If you can confirm you are coming the night before, I'll definitely sleep better. : )"
Recycle with Environmental Ministry
-submitted by Judy Lord, Environmental Ministry
Environmental Ministry is still participating in four Terracycle recycling brigades. We collect a number of things, most of which are not recyclable through the city or county recycling programs. Then we send them to Terracycle, and the church receives a check paying us 2¢ for each item. Here are lists for those of you unsure just what things we collect:
Oral care products packaging: Any brand of toothpaste tubes and caps, toothbrushes, toothpaste cartons, toothbrush outer packaging, and floss containers. Sorry, no electric toothbrush parts are accepted.
Energy bar package recycling: Any brand of foil-lined energy bar wrappers; foil-lined granola bar wrappers; foil-lined meal replacement bar wrappers; foil-lined protein bar wrappers; foil-lined diet bar wrappers.
Cereal bags: Plastic cereal bags and box liners.
Personal care and beauty product packaging: Hair care packaging such as shampoo caps, conditioner caps, hair gel tubes and caps, hair spray triggers, and hair paste caps. Skin care packaging such as lip balm tubes and caps, soap dispensers and tubes, body wash caps, lotion dispensers and caps. Cosmetics packaging such as plastic lipstick cases, lip gloss tubes, mascara tubes, eye shadow cases, bronzer cases, foundation packaging, powder cases, eyeliner cases, eyeliner pencils, eye shadow tubes, concealer tubes, concealer sticks, and lip liner pencils.
We will also be collecting electronic waste for the YRUU’s at our table. (See article in the Religious Education section of this Torch.)
Now that you know what to bring in, find a corner or doorknob where you can place a bag for collecting these items. Then take them to the boxes and bins under the Environmental Ministry table. We plan to be here every Sunday except the weekend of the Art Fair, Celebration Sunday, and picnic Sunday, and we’ll be expecting you.
Here Comes the Swap!
-submitted by Judy Lord, Environmental Ministry
Everyone loves a swap, where people bring usable clothes, toys, etc. they no longer need and take away the treasures they find. Bring a lot – or nothing, and take a lot – or nothing. No money is involved.
Our pre-holiday swap will be held Saturday, November 5, at our sister church, San Esteban Episcopal, at 4615 So. 3200 West in West Valley. As we did last year, we will be collecting items here at the church Saturday morning, 8-10, and setting up the swap at San Esteban for noon-4 that afternoon. Remember, our congregation is invited to go to the swap, too. Start now collecting items to be passed on.
Supporting Standing Rock: a fundraiser, a gathering, and a workshop; Fri, Nov 4, 2016, 7PM
Eliot Hall; Co-Sponsors: Beehive Design Collective
and Environmental Ministry
-submitted by Joan M. Gregory, Environmental Ministry
Join the Beehive Design Collective and Environmental Ministry as we co-sponsor this fundraiser, gathering, and workshop to support the ongoing water and land defenders at the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation.
The workshop will include a report back from Carol Saurveyor, who has been on the ground at Standing Rock. There will be a presentation of the Beehive’s narrative graphic, Mesoamérica Resiste, which will focus on the historical examples of indigenous resistance and resource extraction that represented in the graphic (more on this graphic and the Beehive Collective below). The presenters will tie this history back to the current struggle in so-called North Dakota, and the group will break out to discuss how these issues affect local communities, and what can be done to address them.
The Beehive is an all-volunteer swarm of educators, artists, and activists using images to communicate and educate about the complex realities of our times. The dizzyingly detailed, hand-drawn, large-format posters and banners they tour with are portable murals that come alive through storytelling, illuminating how single issues are interconnected and part of bigger systems. Join in as the Bees deconstruct often overwhelming global issues in an engaging and interactive presentation, using metaphors from the natural world to connect social and environmental struggles.
Mesoamérica Resiste is the final installment in a trilogy of graphics about corporate globalization and militarization in the Americas. With this project the Bees’ strive to go beyond illustrating only the bad news to also sharing stories of grassroots organizing, collective action, and inspiration. The story begins with exploring the legacy of colonialism, connecting that history to today’s industrial development plans and resource extraction. The rest of the graphic documents many examples of resistance and alternatives to these top-down plans, especially organizing led by Indigenous peoples. Celebrating the ecological diversity of Mesoamerica is also a goal of this graphics campaign, with a cast of characters that includes over 400 species of insects, animals, and plants.
Oil pipelines, resource extraction and climate change affect us all. Right now, Standing Rock is at the frontlines of these issues, and they are leading the way in fighting back, for all of us. Indigenous organizers are drawing from their roots to show us another way of resisting dirty industry and corporate greed, a way that is not rooted in the non-profit industrial complex, but in the grassroots, in prayer, in intersectionality, and in a dream for a better world. All people of conscience must support the water and land defenders at Standing Rock, by organizing in their own communities and raising funds for the front line. All of the donations and honorariums that we receive from this tour, after our small overhead for gas and supplies are covered, will go directly to those on the ground at Standing Rock, to help them fortify for the winter and continue the work into the future.