CRS/UUANI NEWSLETTER ITEM FEBRUARY 2015 SUBMITTED BY: DALE GRIFFIN

CRS, UUANI and UU Prison Ministry work together

The annual Community Renewal Society lobby day in Springfield will be on April 12 on issues of race and poverty. Come with us to meet with our legislators on police accountability, fair tax, and job opportunities for people with records. Contact Dale Griffin for more information. We plan to hold training before the trip.

Our statewide UU Advocacy Network of Illinois has set its areas of emphasis for 2016 to be 1) Economic justice (most immediately joining other organizations to support an Illinois Fair Tax and a budget), 2) Environmental justice (supporting the Clean Power legislation) and Racial justice (supporting the statewide UU Prison Ministry and many local efforts to promote racial justice). We listened to social justice leaders at 22 congregations in Illinois, and these were the clear areas chosen for advocacy. We expect to have letter writing campaigns and will join the environmental lobby day in Springfield April 21st.

The forming UU Prison Ministry involves many churches in Illinois in 1) welcoming former prisoners 2) advocating for alternatives to incarceration and 3) holding worship services and small group ministry in prisons. We plan to hire a quarter time minister in July. There are opportunities to get involved in all aspects of this ministry.

Please contact Dale Griffin DaleCGriffin@comcast.net for more information