JOIN US FOR THESE IMPORTANT SOCIAL JUSTICE INITIATIVES!
Contact Lucy Manning at lucymnnng@gmail.com

 

1. MOVIE NIGHT!

Save December 15 at 6:30 as we host an interfaith movie night – Keeping the Faith with Ben Stiller, Edward Norton, and Jenna Elfman.  Read a review of the movie here to whet your whistle. Enjoy an evening building community with our interfaith neighbors who share liberal religious values. RSVP to the movie night at the event page here.

2. MEDICAL AID IN DYING.

Yes, that’s our own Marian Bigelow holding the “THE” sign making a difference! Efforts are beginning now to support the Medical Aid in Dying Act (MAID) and we will do all that we can to see this happen in 2025! According to NYUUJ and their recent convocation in Albany, this year really could be it!

• We now have the support from the large New York State Nurses Association for the Medical Aid in Dying Act as well.
• This is not an election year, so representatives will be more willing to address a controversial issue.
• Join an upcoming webinar on what will happen next:
  Wednesday, December 11 from 7 pm – 8 pm (Statewide/on Zoom), we’ll hold our end-of-the-year campaign briefing so that you can hear about where we stand after the Nov. 5 election, and what our plans are for 2025. You won’t want to miss this call! CLICK THIS LINK TO REGISTER TO ATTEND!
• Read this NYT article to learn about the recent passage in the UK.

3. Help a refugee family that soon will arrive to our area! The Saratoga Area Welcome Circle is a grassroots group formed to sponsor a refugee family through Welcome Corps, www.welcomecorp.org, a program that matches private groups with refugees waiting to be resettled in the United States. We have a young family of 3 from Afghan just assigned to us! Look here for more details later. Our goal is to make the family self-sufficient in 3-4 months. Soon there will be a way to make a tax-deductible gift and/or volunteer your time in many other ways. Contact Lucy Manning at lucymnnng@gmail.com if you want to help the Circle!

4. UU Common Read is here again soon! Last year those who participated in the reading and discussions of On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg found it very enlightening. The 2024-25 UU Common Read is Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families (Skinner House, 2023). There will be a series of 4 sessions sometime in the spring. Here’s your chance to get a head start on the reading!

5. Little Free Library
We’re happy to report that children have been using our Little Free Library! Our original collection of books, many from Caffe Lena and others from you, is running short. We welcome your donations of challenged or banned books for children and
teens. If you would rather make a cash donation, we will purchase appropriate items.
Linda Giancola or Linda Miner would be happy to receive your donation.

In Our Community:

Harmonizing for Justice: A Holiday Benefit Concert Supporting the Living
Legacy Project’s Mission into 2025. Dec. 12 at 7:30pm
Register to view this benefit concert for civil rights! Watch this video promo for
information: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ok4B4uTLSU8

Monday, Dec. 9, 6:00-7:00 PM: NYCLU’s Day 1 New York State Legislative Agenda
Webinar focused on NYCLU’s priorities for the 2025 New York State Legislative
Session before the Inauguration. Registration here.

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 4:30 PM: Mass Deportation and Detention: Know Your Rights
Webinar sponsored by Friends Committee on National Legislation and American
Friends Service Com

SPONSOR A BACKSTRETCH FAMILY FOR CHRISTMAS
Race Track Chaplaincy of America, New York Division

Flurry Festival looking for performer hosts!
The Flurry Festival, one of the largest annual traditional dance and music festivals in North America, will be back at the Saratoga Springs City Center February 14-16, 2025! The Flurry is looking for community members interested in hosting one or more performers, instructors, or sound pros during the weekend of the festival.
Homestays allow the Flurry to hire the high-caliber national and global professionals that make this festival fantastic. As a thank you for your support, hosts will receive one full festival ticket per person hosted.
Hosts must be able to provide a private room with a door and a bed or futon (no air mattresses). Hosts can indicate their household preferences and will be matched with a person/people who meet their specifications, eg. single people only, okay with couples or families, no smoking, etc. Housing is needed primarily for the nights of Friday, 2/14, and Saturday, 2/15, but some individuals will be looking for a place that can accommodate a three-night stay.
Please reach out to Maddy at homestays@flurryfestival.org with interest or any questions.