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<p>Hello, Green friends,</p>
<p>As many of you most likely also received info from UU Ministry
For Earth, you are aware that congregations are invited to
register their Earth Day activities. I think I did that last year
or the year before without discussing it with anybody, but this
time I wanted to make it a group decision. <br>
</p>
<p>We're doing a good bit this year: booth/table at Marietta Earth
Day, sponsoring a Sun Dance Hoedown to celebrate the success of
meeting our goals for Faithify and the Solar Match Fund, taking a
role (just what we'll do is yet to be determined) in the Earth Day
Sunday service, and working with B&G on plans for energy
efficiency improvements in the RE/Office Building. <br>
</p>
<p>After reading through the UUMFE plans for the month, I'm inspired
to do a couple more things: Mike and I are organizing the Social
Justice Sunday program this coming Sunday, and I hope you'll be
able to join us. We'll be talking about environmental justice and
its history in the U.S. and showing the documentary "Cheshire,
Ohio." The documentary tells the story of a small Ohio town that
had a challenging relationship with a huge, (formerly) AEP-owned,
coal-burning power plant, located not that far from us along the
Ohio River. In this year's Earth Day materials, UUMFE is
partnering with UUs for Social Justice (UUSJ) to sponsor a
letter-writing campaign in support of the RECLAIM Act 2017, a
bipartisan bill which would unlock existing funds to assist coal
communities. UUMFE and UUSJ believe this will provide a “Just
Transition” from a coal-dependent economy and will put people back
to work, leading to a more sustainable community and a brighter
future. I think the campaign is a great fit with the
environmental justice theme of the social justice forum, and I
plan to introduce it then. It would be something we could DO,
instead of just talking about the inequity of locating power
plants, landfills, and the like in places where people feel they
have no power over big corporations. Additionally, I'd like to
continue the letter-writing activities with a table in the Social
Hall on the following two Sundays (April 15 and 22). We'll collect
the letters and send them to UUSJ gathered in a packet that they
will combine with letters from other congregations to hand-deliver
to our senators' offices. What do you think? Let me know if you'd
be able to help with the campaign, and make this part of our Earth
Day activities. (I'm introducing it this Sunday at the forum,
regardless. If we want to expand it to the whole congregation, I
think I'll need some help.) <br>
</p>
<p>Secondly, UUMFE's theme for Earth Day 2018 is "Justice for Each
Generation," recognizing intergenerational equity as a component
of the first Unitarian Universalist Principle and expressing
solidarity with the 21 youth plaintiffs in the Juliana v. U.S.
constitutional climate lawsuit. I don't know a great deal about
the lawsuit, but I'd like to know more. It could make for an
interesting Social Justice Sunday in June, when I think there is
an open slot in Michelle's schedule. Anybody interested? There is
more info about the lawsuit at UUMFE and <a
moz-do-not-send="false"
href="cid:part1.1E364A57.7F87DAC5@suddenlink.net">Our Children's
Trust </a>.</p>
<p>Please let me know that I have an OK from the committee to
register our activities with UUMFE, and share your opinions about
the letter-writing campaign.</p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p>Adeline<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
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