Justice Updates

A Grand Vision for Durham: Becoming a Living Wage City

Durham CAN

Durham CAN has a grand vision for Durham. We want to see Durham become a Living Wage City as well as see increased access to job training and jobs for people in our community that need it most.

Read more: A Grand Vision for Durham: Becoming a Living Wage City

Announcing the UUA Common Read for 2018 - 2019

Announcing the UUA Common Read for 2018-2019: Justice on Earth, People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment. This year's read is a Green Sanctuary Project sponsored jointly by the Justice Ministry Council and the Earth Justice Action Group. Please use the Google Form to register to participate. Facilitators will be contacting registered participants soon to set times and locations for the discussions. The book can be purchased on the UUA website, Amazon, or on your smart device with Kindle or Google Play. You may also use the Google Form to indicate that you need assistance in purchasing a copy of the book or would like to borrow a copy. A celebration of our collective participation is planned for April 28 following the second service.

Durham CAN sets agenda for the next 6 months

Durham CAN has developed their vision, goals and action steps for the next six months. Briefly, they are to 

  1. hold listening sessions for their new jobs and criminal justice campaigns
  2. continue to pursue and celebrate their successes for more affordable housing in Durham
  3. secure previous commitments and
  4. expand their base of power

Find more information in the Durham CAN June newsletter.  ERUUF's team for Durham CAN encourages interested folks to attend one of the CAN leadership institutes in July or contact Heather Ladd or Dick Hails for more ways that one can support and participate in CAN events.

ERUUFians Attend Successful Durham CAN event for Affordable Housing

On June 7 at noon, just outside City Hall, a press conference was held that had great attendance from about 75 persons, including CAN supporters, many members of the media, 8 diverse speakers and even 4 (of 7) City Council members. Several ERUUFians were in the crowd. The speakers discussed how the upcoming decisions that Council will be making on the reuse of the current Police HQ site of 4+ acres needed to include land for more affordable housing downtown.

Read more: ERUUFians Attend Successful Durham CAN event for Affordable Housing

ERUUF Recognized for Volunteers at Homeless Shelter

ERUUF was recently recognized as the #1 congregation by Urban Ministries of Durham for the most volunteer hours for 2017.  The ERUUF team logged in 1267 hours for our low income and homeless neighbors.

Read more: ERUUF Recognized for Volunteers at Homeless Shelter

JMC Statement on Community Policing Policies

By: ERUUF Justice Ministry Council

March 2018

The ERUUF Justice Ministry Council makes this statement out of concerns about local Police Policies, Procedures, and Practices. Our statement is founded upon our Unitarian Universalist Principles to include our commitment to peace, liberty, and justice; the worth and dignity of every person; equity and compassion in human relations; interdependence; and a commitment the democratic process. Our goal is to develop and support a vibrant local community based upon diversity, opportunity, equity, support and protection.

Read more: JMC Statement on Community Policing Policies

Progress Made on Green Sanctuary Accreditation

Through the fall and early winter ERUUFians took the initial steps toward Green Sanctuary accreditation. Green Sanctuary is a program offered by the UUA to give congregations a pathway of study, reflection, and action in response to environmental challenges, most notably climate change. It provides a structure for congregations to examine their current environmental impacts and move toward more sustainable, just, and equitable practices grounded in Unitarian Universalism. Attaining Green Sanctuary accreditation is a strategic action in ERUUF’s current Strategic Plan: Initial efforts to move this multi-year effort forward are being led by members of the Earth Justice Action Group that form the Green Sanctuary (GS) Accreditation Team (GSAT).

Read more: Progress Made on Green Sanctuary Accreditation

Justice Activist, Sarah Van Gelder Speaks at ERUUF

By: Tom Fletcher

"Say yes now, everything real greets you" sang the members of Jewelsong, a very appropriate welcome to Sarah Van Gelder, co-founder and now former editor of YES! Magazine and author of The Revolution Where You Live: Stories from a 12,000-Mile Journey Through a New America.  

Sarah spoke to a large community gathering in the sanctuary at ERUUF on Monday evening, October 9, sharing stories of her travels that highlight what ordinary people are doing in their communities to create solutions to issues of racial, economic, and environmental justice.

Read more: Justice Activist, Sarah Van Gelder Speaks at ERUUF

Durham CAN Assembly Outlines Change Agenda, Honors Amassa Fauntleroy

The most recent Durham CAN public assembly took place at Mount Level Missionary Baptist Church on October 26. At least 30 representatives of ERUUF were present. The candidates for mayor and city council were invited to hear about and support  Durham CAN's agenda for change. All the candidates as well as several city officials who were not up for election attended. The assembly included over 600 people from congregations and neighborhoods of Durham.

Read more: Durham CAN Assembly Outlines Change Agenda, Honors Amassa Fauntleroy

Successful Durham CAN retreat yields action plans

ERUUF was well represented at the recent Durham Can Leaders Retreat held on 2/7/2017 held at Monument of Faith Church.  Over 100 people attended the retreat, 6 of them from ERUUF.  Amassa Fauntleroy shares this report:

Read more: Successful Durham CAN retreat yields action plans

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