TXUUJM Newsletter: February 2025 |
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The BIG NEWS is . . . TXUUJM Legislative Action Day registration is OPEN! Register now to get your t-shirt & your spot! |
THE BIG PICTURE: TXUUJM's tradition of gathering at the Texas Capitol for legislative advocacy training and visits with legislators, singing justice songs, rallying on the Capitol steps, food, and fellowship returns on Monday, March 17 — and this year is also part of the larger interfaith event, Faith Days at the Capitol, with dinner in Austin on Sunday, March 16, and legislative breakfast and more on Tuesday, March 18. Collaboration and solidarity are crucial with human rights, democracy, and the planet at risk right now, and it means we need your attention to detail when it comes to the new elements of registration this year. Please make sure to read the info and links below carefully, then reach out to txuujm@gmail.com if you have questions. We are so excited to see you in Austin in March! - Rev. Erin & the TXUUJM team
PLEASE REGISTER NOW / DON'T PROCRASTINATE! Spots are limited and we need your t-shirt size ASAP to make sure we get t-shirts for all of you for the UU group photo in the rotunda!
WANT TO VOLUNTEER AS A CAPITOL GUIDE ON MARCH 17? Please register and click volunteer interest TODAY! Texas Impact training sessions for that role start this week! |
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| ***HOW TO REGISTER***
To accommodate the UU and interfaith elements of the expanded event, there is a two-part registration. Please do all steps!
Step #1: Read the FAQ's on our website! We break down transportation options too. Step #2: Registration PART ONE TXUUJM-Specific Registration Step #3: Registration PART TWO Overall Event Registration |
Pictured: Cool new t-shirt design (at left) by TXUUJM Intern Minister Bis Thornton! Order yours on the TXUUJM step of registration. |
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WATCH: Rev. Erin explains how this year's Legislative Action programming works and why... |
Upcoming Events & Programs |
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REGISTER NOW: Trans Inclusion in Congregations - 6 weeks virtual course - Starts Friday, February 21st!
Facilitated by TXUUJM Intern Minister Bis Thornton & Leo Collas, First UU Austin
Please join us for this 6-week workshop to create the UU congregations and spaces where our trans siblings can feel welcomed, included, and celebrated -- and where we all can feel fully alive in our own sense of self and gender. During this transformative course, we will meet weekly to illuminate the multilayered facets of gender identity and pave the way towards cultivating truly affirming and comprehensive congregations that welcome, include, and celebrate the full spectrum of gender diversity.
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Community Resources & Partners |
3/4/25: Join DRUUMM for Intersectional Antiracism Training!
Want to be a better ally but not sure where to start? Our Introduction to Allyship workshop, led by Justice Movement, will give you tools to show up against racism, sexism, ableism, and oppression in your community.
5/15/25: DRUUMM Annual Public Worship Service
DRUUMM just announced they will have Rev. Joan Javier-Duval as their Keynote Preacher! A powerful spiritual leader and social justice advocate, Rev. Joan brings deep faith, lived experience, and a call to transformative ministry through compassion, equity, and action.
Stay tuned at DRUUMM.org/events
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Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth (UUMFE) Earth Day Celebration 2025 April 22, 2025 7pm CT This Earth Day, UU Ministry for Earth will help us deepen practices that put Love at the center of our climate justice work. Not to avoid acting, but to prepare us for action. Join us to explore the power of listening in justice movements,
why it’s important to avoid being “saviors” and instead listen to communities most impacted by climate injustice, how listening is a practice of kindness, and how kindness eases change. |
Virtual Event from our partners at Liberating Lineages Collective Building Congregational Community Safety Practice Circle February 20, 2025 6:30 pm ET
"These times call us more and more to attend to the ways we as communities can keep each other safe in the face of intersecting vulnerabilities and violence. If you are looking to begin this journey with your congregation or grow in your capacity, the Liberating Lineages Collective wants to invite you to join our upcoming event." |
From our partners at UUA Side with Love Discernment Guide
We often talk about partnership and solidarity in organizing, and the crucial role of showing up well in crucial moments. But how do we know which potentially risky asks we're actually ready to say "yes" to -- and follow through with? We discussed a framework for having congregational conversations about risk.
Week Four of 30 Days of Love 2025: There are Black People in the Future Nicole Pressley, UUA Organizing Strategy Director |
P.S. - Are you holding a public event aligned with our work? Perhaps letter-writing campaign, justice book group or virtual movie night that is open to more than just your church members? If so, please fill out this form to submit it! TXUUJM staff will review and add to the events list! You will have access to the registrations for the event and it can broadcast your event to a larger audience. This is a new functionality, so please be patient as we learn about this together.
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Bis Thornton, TXUUJM's intern minister, is looking forward to leading worship for these congregations in the upcoming months! March 9 - Northwoods UU (Houston)
April 27 - Tapestry UU (Houston)
May 25 - First UU of San Antonio
June 15 - Bay Area UU Church (Houston)
June 29 - Galveston UU
Rev. Erin will speak at El Paso UU (virtually) and First UU Austin (forum after worship) this Sunday and at the North Texas UU Anniversaries event on March 2. |
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Want to schedule a member of the TXUUJM Speakers Guild in your pulpit, or invite a TXUUJM staff member to a social justice meeting or event (in person or over Zoom)?
Reach out to txuujm@gmail.com! |
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| This past Sunday's visit to Community UU Church in Plano -
From TXUUJM's North Texas organizer Taylor Huntley: "Sending a heartfelt thank you to Community UU Plano for welcoming me to their 50th anniversary celebration! It was an absolute joy to be part of such a special milestone, filled with beautiful music, powerful stories, and plenty of laughter. The love and dedication of this congregation to justice and community shine brightly, and I am grateful to have shared in this moment of reflection and celebration.Congratulations on 50 years of faith in action—here’s to many more!"
Pictured: Taylor Huntley, TXUUJM North Texas Organizer, Rev. Aija of Community UU Plano, and Sarah Berel-Harrop, TXUUJM's 2024 Faith-in-Justice Organizer |
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Volunteer Spotlight Megan Brown, she/her,
Thursday Night Action Hour Lead Thank you for all of your hard work!
Megan has been an activist for over 20 years, starting with animal welfare advocacy before expanding into environmental fundraising and policy. As a public service scientist, she brings expertise in water policy and natural resource management, alongside a passion for education and fighting censorship. A dedicated advocate for intersectional justice, she is a key member of the TXUUJM Action Hour team and serves on the board of The Climate Reality Project’s Austin chapter. Join Megan: Click here to volunteer! Click here to sign up for Action Hour! |
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TXUUJM
PO BOX 40005
Austin, TX 78704
United States |
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