by Deva Jones | Nov 7, 2012 | Congregational Trip
In 2005, three Unitarian Universalist congregations experienced the devastation of Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures that shut down New Orleans and wreaked havoc along 250 miles of Gulf coastline. Two years later, these resilient congregations together created the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal (CELSJR). The center became the home of the New Orleans Rebirth Volunteer Center, and in 2012 it continues the vital work of rebuilding one of the most unique cities in the United States.
In New Orleans, Unitarian Universalism has offered core leadership in linking spirituality to social justice as well as discovering the synergy, renewal, and sustenance that arises when faith is in dialogue with the needs of the world. Experience this vital work for yourself in upcoming service-learning trips with the UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ).
In a few days, the three UU congregations in New Orleans will go even further together on their faithful journey toward justice. On Monday, November 12, 2012, Community Church UU, First UU New Orleans, and North Shore UU together will ordain Deanna Vandiver into the Unitarian Universalist ministry and celebrate her new community ministry as CELSJR’s executive director. “It is extraordinary to be welcomed to serve as a minister in the place I love best — New Orleans!” said Vandiver. “My ministerial formation has been clearly shaped by this place, as well as by the love and support of Unitarian Universalists around the globe. It is an honor and a blessing to answer my call to ministry right here in New Orleans.”
Rev. Kathleen McTigue, UUCSJ director, said of this event, “At its heart, ordination is the commitment of the community and the ordained minister to continue the work of our faith in the world. Deanna’s work through the center provides a strong foundation upon which to build this commitment.” UUCSJ has partnered with CELSJR this year to offer three opportunities for service-learning trips to UUs from around the country.
CELSJR’s mission is to be a catalyst in the New Orleans and Gulf Coast region for nurturing a sustainable, equitable, and inclusive community by promoting social, racial and economic justice. With community relationships that are deep and wide, an anti-oppressive analysis, and the blessing and support of the founding UU congregations of the Greater New Orleans area, it is clear that CELSJR can offer a practicum of faith as unique as the city it calls home.
As a new day dawns on UU faith in the Greater New Orleans area, UUCSJ and CELSJR invite you to come be a part of the transformation.
Written by CELSJR Executive Director Deanna Vandiver.
by Deva Jones | Nov 6, 2012 | Congregational Trip
The following post was written by Evan Seitz, senior associate for service-learning programs with the UU College of Social Justice.
I am not graceful when preparing for trips. I fret about everything from which type of trail mix to bring to whether our hosts will meet me at the airport. However, for the upcoming UUA-UUSC supporter journey to Tanzania and Burundi my usual pre-trip jitters have been largely replaced by eager anticipation. I have never been to Africa, and I can’t wait to visit two great partners: the Tanzania Gender Networking Program (TGNP), based in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and the Assembly of Christian Unitarians of Burundi (ACUB) based in Bujumbura, Burundi.
Tanzania is currently rewriting its constitution and our partner TGNP is working on including language on the human right to water in that new constitution. Our delegation will be meeting with TGNP leaders to hear firsthand their stories on this process. We will also be visiting community partners of TGNP that have struggled to access safe, sufficient, affordable water for daily human consumption. At the end of our visit with TGNP, we will be visiting a representative of the Tanzanian Water Ministry to express our hope for a successful inclusion of the right to water in the new constitution.
In Burundi, we will be meeting Rev. Ndagijimana Fulgence, the minister of the newest Unitarian Church on the African continent. ACUB has an active social outreach ministry, and we will be meeting with community members who have benefited from this service. There will also be plenty of time to meet with members of the congregation. I am personally most excited about attending the service on Sunday; it will be only my second Unitarian service outside of the United States.
I am also looking forward to spending eight days with a stellar group of supporters and social justice activists. The seven delegation members come from all regions of the United States and bring a wealth of knowledge and experience. Joining me as trip leaders are my colleague Eric Cherry, director of the UUA’s International Office, and Patricia Jones, manager of UUSC’s Environmental Justice Program. Return for more updates from me and other delegation members as this exciting journey unfolds.
by Deva Jones | Nov 1, 2012 | Immigration
Immigration justice is complex and multifaceted. The Justice General Assembly in Phoenix, Ariz., this past June informed all present of abuses we must right and introduced inspiring partner organizations already at work. Many have organized services in their congregations, studied the issues, and petitioned representatives in government. All of these have helped individuals and congregations deepen the work for immigration justice. And yet sometimes the most powerful thing we can do to strengthen our own justice efforts is to go and see for ourselves.
The UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ) has partnered with Borderlinks, an international leader in hands-on education that raises awareness and action around immigration on the U.S.-Mexico border, to offer short programs that delve into these issues.
It has been a powerful experience for those who have already taken part. As one participant said, “BorderLinks provided us with an incredible opportunity to examine the complexities of the border through the lenses of justice and faith. Engaging in hands-on projects with fellow UUs was transformational.”
UUCSJ is working with BorderLinks to bring groups of UUs and other advocates for immigration justice into the border areas of the United States and Mexico. Those who have joined us have been inspired by the courage they encountered and empowered by all that they learned. Another participant shared the following:
“Stories like those I had formerly only read were told to me over shared meals. We were welcomed into the homes and hearts of those whose lives have been impacted by U.S. immigration policy — people who have been deported, those trying to cross the border, courageous souls who go into the desert to help those in need, students fighting for an education. . . . These experiences will stay with me as I continue to reflect on and wrestle with this very complex issue.”
UUCSJ currently offers two upcoming BorderLinks journeys: February 1–4 and May 24–27, 2013. These explorations are grounded in spiritual reflection and our Unitarian Universalist commitment to the long work of justice.
Join us on a BorderLinks journey. Inspire yourself for the vitally important work of immigration justice.
