Weekly Announcements January 13, 2023

13 January 2023
Environmental Ministry Projects
The Environmental Ministry committee has a new webpage with a list of upcoming events.  Check is out here: EM Webpage.  You can also find it by clicking on the dropdown menu from our website front-page, programs, committees and groups.

Rally to Save Our Great Salt Lake - Sat, Jan 14, 2023 @12:00 – 4:00 PM (In-Person) -- Join Save Our Great Salt Lake at the Utah State Capitol as we all RALLY to save Great Salt Lake! Dress warmly! Bring your posters & banners, your family & friends. Look for a sign that says: UTAH UUs - we will be in the area facing the east side of the south steps of the Utah State Capitol. Details: Save Our Great Salt Lake Rally: https://www.saveourgreatsaltlake.org/rally-to-save-our-great-salt-lake/

How to Talk with Legislators So They Can Listen - Steve Glaser & Cathy Chambless. Become more comfortable with the concept of lobbying, learn how a lobby meeting works, go away with tips & ideas for being more effective when writing, meeting, conversing & interacting with legislators of all parties. Informal, practical, relevant. Jan 19th @7-8 PM (Zoom)- Register: https://tinyurl.com/1stUU-Zoom OR Jan 22nd @12:30-1:30 PM (In Person-Rm219@1stUU) - Register: https://tinyurl.com/1stUU-InPerson

 

~~~~~~~~~~

Social Justice Projects

Join the Coalition of Religious Communities for Faith, Hunger and Homelessness Day at the Utah Capitol, January 19, 2023 10:00 AM Utah Capitol Building Board Room.  Click here for more details Key issues to be discussed will include:

  • Proposals to produce housing to reduce homelessness, particularly among families with children.
  • Proposal to increase funding for services that help people move out of homelessness.
  • Proposals to increase funding for emergency food pantries, and,
  • Bills sponsored by Representative Rosemary Lesser and Representative Judy Weeks Rohner to eliminate the state portion of Utah's sales tax on food. We are very grateful that both of these legislators have agreed to come and tell us about their bills

The League of Women Voters – Utah is filing an Amicus Brief in support of Planned Parenthood Association of Utah challenging the Criminal Abortion Ban (trigger law). This brief will argue that the law violates the Equal Rights provision of the Utah Constitution, and if enforced will prevent women from equally participating in civil society, harming them and the Utah economy. 

 We welcome others in the business community to join in this amicus.If you are interested in joining as an individual please provide:
  • Name
  • Degrees
  • Years in business / corporate life.
Please provide this information to: P or 
 
Crossroads Urban Center project

The Social Justice Steering Committee has approved a project with Crossroads Urban Center and the Coalition of Religious Communities (CORC). We will have collection bins to accept food for Crossroads in Eliot Hall every Sunday. Their needs are posted here:  https://www.crossroadsurbancenter.org/you-can-help.html. We will also be collecting diapers and blankets during the month of December.The associate director of Crossroads will be co-presenting to us on Sunday January 8 at 7 pm about CORC’s legislative agenda and encouraging us to attend CORC’s Faith, Hunger and Homelessness Day at the Capitol the early morning of Thursday January 19.To join this project (volunteering to transport donations and/or engage in legislative advocacy), email: 

~~~~~~~~~~
Yoga Class
Members and Friends, join our own Robin Dale for Feel Good Yoga LIVE every Wednesday in January at 4pm - 5pm in Eliot Hall. It’s a slower gentle class with accommodations for the body you are in. Yoga is followed by "Sangha" if you want to enjoy the community where we share "Rose, Thorn, Bud."  It's fun. Bring a mat or we have a few to share.In addition to my 25 year profession as an Urgent Care PA, I have been teaching yoga for 21 years and am a Certified Yoga Therapist. If you like a gentle flow yoga you'll receive many modifications. To enjoy this class please be able to get up and down from the floor.  See you soon, Robin Dale (with assistance from Olivia Dale)
 
Monthly Unitarian Jam
For those of you who play stringed acoustic instruments, there will be a monthly jam starting on Monday January 23rd in The Haven between 6pm and 8pm. 3, 4 or 5 chord songs are about our speed. Hopefully we will all sing (but no one will make you do it). Acoustic basses, fiddles, mandolins, ukuleles, guitars and well-behaved banjos, (leashed and somewhat muzzled,) are all welcomed. Come check us out. Depending on covid numbers, masks may be required, so please bring one. Please attend only if you are well. Hosted by Lori Shields.

~~~~~~~~~~

 
Social Justice

We are on the search! The Social Justice Team is looking to broaden our social justice efforts and are looking for individuals, teams, leaders, and topics. What social justice issues are you passionate about? Would you like to create and then participate in or even lead a social justice team?  Do you have ideas for learning opportunities regarding social justice issues that could be presented in a forum?(Adult RE during the church year).  Please contact Phil Bossart or Lisa Hyte if you have interest. 

Voter Outreach Project

The Voter Outreach Project is a First Unitarian Church-SLC social justice effort active until the election with the goal of mobilizing those who share our values to vote ... especially those concerned about climate change, the environment, & marginalized voters in states that have passed voter suppression laws. Phone, text, or write postcards from home or at church. Computer & cell phone needed for calls & texts. Postcards provided, BYO pens! Details? Contact: Steve Glaser at

The Reproductive Justice Committee at First Unitarian Church just finished a “postcard-writing campaign” for Planned Parenthood. Nineteen reproductive justice warriors met on Saturday to write 1000 postcards to Utah women between 18 and 40, who live along the Wasatch Front and who have voted Democratic at least once in their life. We reminded our fellow Utahns that growing a family is a deeply personal choice that should be left to the individual. Stay tuned for what is next. Want to be part of the right side of history? Contact 

Street Tai Chi Volunteers wanted. For the past 7 yrs, First UU mbrs, Bernie & Marita Hart have prepared breakfast 4 times a wk for the homeless. What is so unique about the program is that after enjoying breakfast, they gather to do TaiChi. Why TaiChi? TaiChi is known as meditation in motion & offers therapy & healing for PTSD, TBIs, anxiety & depression-issues the homeless face daily. Because this project aligns so well w/ 1st UU values, we now have an opportunity to help. Contact Lisa H for info at

~~~~~~~~~~

Recycling Information Update: 

Click here to see details for the update on recycling items currently being accepted or see the list on collection bins in the Eliot Hall closet.

~~~~~~~~~~

Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness Meditation is a way to "imagine what might be?" and become awake to the reality of our own experience with peace and compassion.
Join Mindfulness Meditation Sundays 8:45am. For more information click here for our webpage.
All are welcome.  Contact for zoom link