Social Justice Team’s December 2023 Update
State Action Network
It is a long name, but the Iowa UU Witness and Action Network (IUUWAN) supports social justice action by UUs in Iowa. A recent project was raising funds to address LGBTQ projects and then creating grant opportunities for all Iowa UU congregations. One such grant was $1,000 to First Unitarian Church of Des Moines to support their spring Trans Conference.
Other programming includes Queer Your Faith, a monthly Sunday service for LGBTQ+ folks and an environmental justice group that meets monthly to share information and collaborate on projects. In the future, IUUWAN plans to hold a conference on water and land issues. Check out the IUUWAN website: https://iuuwan.com/.
Immigrant Justice Team’s Sponsorship Project
The goal of the UU Society Sponsorship Project is first to release an asylum seeker from detention, and then to offer that person a home and supportive community. The home will be with hosts Fanny and Tom Carver, and the supportive community will be members of the UU Society. Almost finished with the fundraising phase, our next step will be meeting with UU Service Committee’s Congregational Accompaniment Project staff.
A Holiday Open House is scheduled for Sunday, December 3rd, from 4 pm to 6 pm at the home of Fanny and Tom Carver. All are invited for refreshments and the opportunity to meet the Sponsorship Support Team and of course, Fanny and Tom.
Those interested in this project should contact Sally Hartman (sallyahartman@hotmail.com). We are near our goal, but please consider donating by sending a check to UU Society with Asylum in the memo line, or on Realm, you can go to giving and scroll to Immigrant Action.
