Contact justice@uusaratoga.org for more information
Join us for Movie Night on May 18
We will view a collection of short films, including animations, from the Climate Future Film Festival. Check their website for a preview: https://www.climatefuturefilm.com/host-the-festival/
2. Social Justice needs a new Chair – or two or more! Lucy Manning is stepping down in mid-May as chair of the Team and the position can easily be shared to lessen the workload for one person. Here’s a list of duties that can be divided among several people:
Create Agenda and Run Meetings (this can rotate)
Submit monthly report to the Board of Trustees (should be the
same person)
Submit weekly reports to Journey Well (multiple people could do
this by rotating each week)
Advertise events as needed outside of the congregation (via Loop,
SIC newsletter, Saratoga Today, neighboring UUs, etc)
Be the point person for activities (this can rotate)
Please email Lucy with any questions and consider taking on some of these duties! lucymnnng@gmail.com
3. It already passed the House.It’s up to the Senate to stop it. Please call your Senator!Help Stop the SAVE Act:
4. Save the Date – June 14th for a nationwide protest/rally to protect Democracy!
5. Weekly Action Updates from Side With Love
https://sidewithlove.org/action-center-updates/2025/5/6/050625-action-center-weekly-update
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IN THE COMMUNITY
1. Time to help with the Interfaith Garden!
Saturday, May 10, 10:00 am – noon. Garden Orientation & pot luck lunch. Come learn how you can be a part of our organic garden that provides for fresh produce for food insecure folks. Bring a dish to share at our potluck lunch. Presbyterian United Church of Christ is at 24 Circular St.
2. Good News for the Mohsini Family!
An affordable apartment in downtown Saratoga was found for the Afghan family to move into on June 15.
Thank you to the many people who made an effort in our search, keeping your ears open, making suggestions, reaching out to connections, making phone calls, and even driving around town looking for leads! It paid off!
Their small apartment will need to be furnished and stocked. The Saratoga Area Welcome Circle housing team, along with the Mohsinis, will be assessing their needs and reaching out for specific donations in the coming weeks.
Ihsanullah accepted a full-time job at the Home Depot, training to be a Lumber Associate and is riding his bike to work. He also passed the test (in English!) to obtain his Learners Permit.
The family loves being here and are so gracious and appreciative of everyone’s help. The children are flourishing (8 year old at Division St. School, 4 year old at Beagle School, 3 year old learning English from Kids Youtube, and now 2 month old is growing and healthy!
3. Tuesday, May 13, 7:00 pm. Zoom film discussion: Divided We Fall. Directed by Jan Hrebejk, the 2000 film is a true story that takes place in a German-occupied Czech village in World War II. A childless couple find themselves making dangerous choices as they hide a neighbor’s son, who has escaped from a concentration camp, in their pantry for two years. Available to stream for free on the Internet Archive via this link. Register here to receive the Zoom link and join the discussion after viewing the film. Presented by Saratoga Jewish Community Arts.
4. SARATOGA IMMIGRATION COALITION EMERGENCY FUND
As “mass deportation” rips workers out of our community and tears families apart, SIC has re-launched the GoFundMe site to receive donations to meet immediate needs of our immigrant neighbors, in small amounts, enough to pay for a month’s rent, weekly groceries, or other daily needs while longer-term solutions are sought. Referrals come from service providers and faith leaders at work in the community, who in many cases are already familiar with the circumstances of those in need. And the fund is designed to serve the community well known to SIC, primarily Saratoga, Washington and Warren Counties.
https://www.gofundme.com/f/aid-saratoga-area-immigrants
or search for “Saratoga immigrants” on GoFundMe homepage https://www.gofundme.com/ .