First Church Unitarian of Athol
E-Newsletter – September 6th, 2017
(I appear to have forgotten to hit the SEND button!)
Worship
September 10th – Rev David Farrington will lead our gathering.
September 17th – We meet at 10, there will be songs, joys & sorrows, and an unspecified speaker. (stay tuned)
September 24th – Rev David Farrington centers us even more!
Community
For many UU congregations, they are just starting their new church year. We have been going strong all summer, of course, but are mindful of the in-gatherings around us. May be we stronger on the side of love, together.
Fall fair is coming up rapidly.
Please be in touch with Kathy Richards about how you can help. This will be, as usual, an “all hands” affair. Kathy has voiced a desire that we all bring in donations for the Silent Auction, the Book Table, and the White Elephant sale.
Question: How much is that White Elephant in the window?
I am not sure of the date of the next board meeting, please let us know if you know.
+=+=+ Social Action +=+=+
A Reminder:
FERC, the Federal Energy Regulatory Agency, is set to reconvene on September 20th with newly appointed commissioners Robert Powelson and Neil Chatterjee. They appear to be ready to use their newly minted rubber stamps to increase the authority of FERC in ways that rush pipeline approvals with insufficient information, and refuse to consider the affects of the pipelines on climate change and the environment. if you are interested in taking action with North Quabbin Pipline Action on September 20th when FERC reconvenes with a quorum, you can fill out this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeNpFb554-GWAsQJlxB3F7M8Hz39vug-uU-1eMcCDfb1e0Kdw/viewform
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Reprinted from uua.org/action/love
Through our Standing on the Side of Love campaign (https://www.standingonthesideoflove.org/) we amplify the voices of the oppressed through online media; we show up in partnership at justice events across the country; we lobby national leaders on immigration reform, racial justice, equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people, religious freedom, and more; and above all we work to make love real in the world.
Over eighty percent of Unitarian Universalist congregations, and many more individual UUs and others who care about justice, have become a part of Standing on the Side of Love.
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Fake News:
“He [Al Gore] couldn’t be more wrong — that climate change is creating more hurricanes and stronger hurricanes. And, of course, when Harvey hit, it was the first hurricane that had hit in 12 years. There haven’t been more hurricanes and no more dangerous than any others in previous years.” – Rush Limbaugh.
Real News:
I hope to see you Sunday. Service is at 10, Lunch at 11:15
“We raise our voices in outrage at the President’s betrayal of DREAMers so that he may receive accolades and applause from the alt-right and other white supremacist groups. This action goes against our nation’s principles and the views and wishes of the majority of the country. We are in solidarity with all DREAMers now facing a nightmare of uncertainty because of today’s announcement. We encourage Unitarian Universalists and all people of faith and conscience to rise up and resist this latest attack on our immigrant siblings.
To all those directly affected by this decision, we recognize your humanity. You are part of the United States. We will defend your right to stay. We will continue to resist with you in the spirit of love and freedom.”
– The Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and Thomas Andrews, President and CEO of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC)
Finally:
If you have any news you would like published in this letter, please send it to clerk@fcuuathol.org
If you have a burning desire to write, edit, and/or publish a newsletter, please let us know.