Doing Justice

Do Justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God – Micah 6:8

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Below are opportunities to follow Micah 6:8 – Please click on the names of events/actions/organizations to learn more.

Raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) continue in Northeast Ohio, detaining individuals, separating families, and sending people who can’t be repatriated to prison camps without any safeguards. Learn how to intervene safely if you witness ICE activity by watching this short video shared at a recent IGAH meeting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnazGTC7H5o.

One Small Act to Oppose Tyranny

During World War II, Norwegians opposing the Nazis wore a simple paperclip on their jacket. Americans worried about authoritarianism are picking up this tiny act of defiance and solidarity. A paperclip on your lapel, hat, blouse witnesses to your commitment to join in the work to care for all our neighbors and to oppose efforts to separate us from one another.

We’re continuing to gather much needed items for children at two nearby Shaker elementary schools. All items can be dropped off in bins outside the chapel.

For the Wall of Love at Lomond Elementary
Child-sized hats & scarves          Child-sized underwear & socks
Child-sizes mittens or gloves     Tissues

For the Care Closet at Boulevard Elementary
Child-sized sweatshirts & sweatpants
Child-sized t-shirts and socks
Shelf stable snacks e.g. granola bars, pretzels, etc.
Hygiene products e.g. deodorant, toothpaste/brushes, shampoo, lotions, chapstick

One of the things we need, especially in ‘such a time as this,’ as we work to build the beloved community is bravery. Inspired by Episcopalian Bishop Mariann Budde’s book, How We Learn to Be Brave, a group in her diocese created a workshop to teach bravery. The workshop is online and free of cost. I attended one in December and found it very encouraging. I highly recommend this. There are many dates and times to choose on the website.

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Pull up a seat to the table where we build capacity to KNOW better and DO better for Ohio.

https://www.honestyforohioeducation.org

Pull up a seat to the table where we build capacity to KNOW better and DO better for Ohio.

Join a team, join the mailing list, track legislation, read banned books, listen to podcasts, donate time or money, or attend alliance meetings.

TAKE ACTION with the Ohio Education Association and AAUP Ohio HERE

• Contact the Senate Workforce and Higher Education Committee Chair and Sponsor Senator Jerry Cirino at Cirino@ohiosenate.govor 614-644-7718

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Hello and welcome to  another year of mapmaking in Ohio!We wanted to update you on a few redistricting and redistricting-adjacent matters.

STUDENT GROUP ON RACE RELATIONS – a Shaker Heights High School extra-curriculum group SGORR Community Spaces are intended to be a place for individuals to process their thoughts on racism, build a support network, become educated, and most importantly strategize on actionable steps in building an anti-racist community. We are excited to work with our community to continue to build an anti – racist community! For any questions, comments or concerns please email Tiara Sargeant, SGORR Advisor (sargeant_g@shaker.org

RESOURCES:

Ten Ways to Fight Hate: A Community Resource Guide  – Hate in America has become commonplace. What can we do to stop the hate?

Organizations:

Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival is uniting people across the country to challenge the evils of systemic racism, poverty, the war economy, ecological devastation and the nation’s distorted morality.

Friends of the Earth – “Friends of the Earth is a bold and fearless voice for justice and the planet. We believe all people deserve to live in a healthy environment.”

Green America – “Our mission is to harness economic power—the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society.”

The Injustice Boycott – “an organized resistance, driven by local people and activists, supported by passionate believers all over the country and around the world. Just as the Montgomery Bus Boycott lasted for 381 days, we are prepared for this boycott to last as it takes to make change happen. Indeed, we won’t stop until it does.” – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/injusticeboycott

Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) – SURJ is a national network of groups and individuals organizing White people for racial justice. – Local chapter, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/surjohio/

The Dream Corps – The Dream Corps brings people together to solve America’s toughest problems.

God Before Guns is a multi-faith coalition of individuals and faith communities working to reduce gun violence, through community engagement, education, and advocacy.  We envision a nation in which our faith in God and each other elevates the sanctity of life above the fears that lead to a society armed against itself. Find them on Facebook or Twitter

Charter for Compassion – “Charter for Compassion International provides an umbrella for people to engage in collaborative partnerships worldwide. Our mission is to bring to life the principles articulated in the Charter for Compassion through concrete, practical action in a myriad of sectors.”

One.org – At ONE, we know that our voices, joined with the millions of other ONE members around the world, can change the realities of poverty, hunger, corruption, and disease that deprive too many of their God-given dignity.