At Northwest Community Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston

Faith In Action

We UUs often say that deeds are more important than creeds. Faith in Action is a Committee of our Church that seeks to facilitate social action in accord with our Faith, our hopes, and the seven ethical Principles that we hold in common:

1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in
our congregations;
4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process
within our congregations and in society at large;
6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;
7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are
a part.

What Do UUs Do?
Here is some of what our Faith In Action Committee is planning or working on recently:

Participation in various projects for the homeless and displaced persons such as in relation to Hurricane Katrina (we were organized and well represented at the G.R. Brown and elsewhere), a soup kitchen, a women’s shelter, marsh grass planting and other worthy charitable endeavors.

Annual participation in the annual Houston Gay Pride Parade and current hopes to also begin marching in the local Martin Luther King Day Parade: in support of civil rights and in affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals.

We will also be increasing our individual awareness and active potential through Congregational consciousness raising workshops such as the Welcoming Congregation and Weaving the Fabric of Diversity. These workshops will be recorded and available for wider distribution there after.

Participation in civic art happenings such as the recent Painting For Peace mural project held at Iman Academy Islamic School in Houston. We will have a similar mural project at our Church in cooperation with organizations like Decade of Nonviolence, the Peace Hour and the Peaceful CoExistence show on KPFT 90.1 FM, and Art Miles (mile of murals for Peace, Unity and Healing) in May of 2007. This project will take place every Saturday in May, from 11am until 5pm and will be open to the public. We will do at least two large free form murals with artist's coaching, one large landscape mural, and one large floor cloth labyrinth. All materials will be provided and there will be music, food, discussion along with opportunities to make art. The free form murals will be available to various exhibitions on themes of peace, unity, healing and human rights in addition to being on display at the Church for the next two years, at which time they will be given to the Art Miles exhibition. The landscape mural will be installed at U Bar U Retreat near Kerrville and the Labyrinth Floor Cloth mural will be used by the church for rituals (or by others on loan).

Faith In Action Events and Happenings

We are now compiling information on approved civic and charitable organizations (see below). Consultation of our Church’s calendars and discussion/announcement e-group is also recommended to stay abreast of the latest events and happenings. Also, There is a City-wide Yahoo Group called Houston Area UU Social action that you can join here. You have to give your name, number and email to join. It is an active List with lots events and happenings announced there along with organizational discussion about cooperative efforts among the local UU congregations.

Unitarian Universalist Service Committee

Mission Statement

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies.

Vision Statement

The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee envisions a world free from oppression and injustice, where all can realize their full human rights.

Houston Peace and Justice Center

The Center's new address: 1627 W. Alabama, just east of Dunlavy (park at the Fiesta if the Center's lots are full - you will not be towed). For more information call Dick Steele (713-669-8666) or Bob Henschen (713-661-9889). Office hours at the Center: Monday through Friday, 2-5 p.m.

Or, visit their web site at: http://www.hpjc.org/

Universal Living Wage Victory

Travis County, the home of the Texas State capitol, has endorsed the Universal Living Wage! Travis County became the first county in the United States to endorse the campaign for income equity when - on July 9 - the County Commissioners voted four to one in favor.

The goal of the campaign nationally is to fix the federal minimum wage and ensure that anyone working a forty hour week will be paid a minimum wage that will allow them to afford basic rental housing. Visit www.UniversalLivingWage.org - check the "What's New" button for more.

Socially Responsible Investing

Socially responsible investing leaders press SEC, NYSE for more comprehensive corporate reforms. UUSC has been involved in shareholder advocacy work since the 1980s. We are a long-standing member of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) and work to invest our endowment funds in businesses that are concerned with good corporate citizenship as well as profitability. We also choose to own small amounts of stock in corporations that we believe can improve their socially responsible investing record. In collaboration with ICCR, the Service Committee uses this limited stock ownership in identified corporations to co-file shareholder resolutions aimed at changing corporate policies, actions and guidelines For a recent press release issued by the Social Investment Forum, the national trade association for the socially responsible investing (SRI) industry, calling on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to go beyond the limited corporate governance reforms approved by the New York Stock Exchange in late July/early August 2002, visit their web site here.

Call for Legislative Study

FROM: CORPUS JUSTICE
P.O. Box 38906
Houston, TX 77238
Email: corpus@ev1.net
Web Site: http://www.corpusjustice.org

CONTACT: Marilyn Head, (281) 405-8995
SUBJECT: CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE STUDY TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEMS WITH HPD AND CURRENT AVENUES OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY INCLUDING CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT

Corpus Justice is calling on local Senators and Representatives to initiate a legislative study into the policies and procedures of the HPD, DA’s Office, and the Grand Jury System to determine whether or not current practices adequately address law enforcement problems, seek justice, follow state statutes, and protect the public. We recommend both public and expert testimony should be sought.

Also, the investigation should address possible statewide solutions, including the establishment of a state commission to facilitate police accountability and local civilian oversight boards independent of the mayor's office, police department, or other policing body.

Corporate Injustice

CORPORATE INJUSTICE IS TARGET OF GRASSROOTS GROUP

During this fall's election season, TEXANS FOR PUBLIC JUSTICE (www.tpj.org) is planning a campaign to hold Texas' public officials accountable for their role in the cascading corporate scandals. They plan to rent billboard space, place op-eds in newspapers, and organize media-savvy grassroots action across the state. Actions may include "guerrilla theater" at campaign fundraisers for candidates who have taken large amounts of Enron funds. The campaign will target candidates who received Enron money in the past and highlight how these candidates served Enron's interests over the public's. They are looking for support from like-minded people and organizations. For more information, contact: David Martin, Texas Enron Accountability Project, 210-736-9416, ogarrioluz@yahoo.com; or Craig McDonald, director, Texans for Public Justice, 512-472-9770.

Northwest Community Unitarian Universalist Church of Houston, TX,
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Welcoming Workshops	Faith In Action We UUs often say that deeds are more important than creeds. Faith in Action is a Committee of our Church that seeks to facilitate social action in accord with our Faith, our hopes, and the seven ethical Principles that we hold in common: 1. The inherent worth and dignity of every person; 2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations; 3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations; 4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning; 5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large; 6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all; 7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. What Do UUs Do? Here is some of what our Faith In Action Committee is planning or working on recently: Participation in various projects for the homeless and displaced persons such as in relation to Hurricane Katrina (we were organized and well represented at the G.R. Brown and elsewhere), a soup kitchen, a women’s shelter, marsh grass planting and other worthy charitable endeavors. Annual participation in the annual Houston Gay Pride Parade and current hopes to also begin marching in the local Martin Luther King Day Parade: in support of civil rights and in affirmation of the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals. We will also be increasing our individual awareness and active potential through Congregational consciousness raising workshops such as the Welcoming Congregation and Weaving the Fabric of Diversity. These workshops will be recorded and available for wider distribution there after. Participation in civic art happenings such as the recent Painting For Peace mural project held at Iman Academy Islamic School in Houston. We will have a similar mural project at our Church in cooperation with organizations like Decade of Nonviolence, the Peace Hour and the Peaceful CoExistence show on KPFT 90.1 FM, and Art Miles (mile of murals for Peace, Unity and Healing) in May of 2007. This project will take place every Saturday in May, from 11am until 5pm and will be open to the public. We will do at least two large free form murals with artist's coaching, one large landscape mural, and one large floor cloth labyrinth. All materials will be provided and there will be music, food, discussion along with opportunities to make art. The free form murals will be available to various exhibitions on themes of peace, unity, healing and human rights in addition to being on display at the Church for the next two years, at which time they will be given to the Art Miles exhibition. The landscape mural will be installed at U Bar U Retreat near Kerrville and the Labyrinth Floor Cloth mural will be used by the church for rituals (or by others on loan). Faith In Action Events and Happenings We are now compiling information on approved civic and charitable organizations (see below). Consultation of our Church’s calendars and discussion/announcement e-group is also recommended to stay abreast of the latest events and happenings. Also, There is a City-wide Yahoo Group called Houston Area UU Social action that you can join here. You have to give your name, number and email to join. It is an active List with lots events and happenings announced there along with organizational discussion about cooperative efforts among the local UU congregations. Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Mission Statement The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to challenge oppressive policies. Vision Statement The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee envisions a world free from oppression and injustice, where all can realize their full human rights. Houston Peace and Justice Center The Center's new address: 1627 W. Alabama, just east of Dunlavy (park at the Fiesta if the Center's lots are full - you will not be towed). For more information call Dick Steele (713-669-8666) or Bob Henschen (713-661-9889). Office hours at the Center: Monday through Friday, 2-5 p.m. Or, visit their web site at: http://www.hpjc.org/ Universal Living Wage Victory Travis County, the home of the Texas State capitol, has endorsed the Universal Living Wage! Travis County became the first county in the United States to endorse the campaign for income equity when - on July 9 - the County Commissioners voted four to one in favor. The goal of the campaign nationally is to fix the federal minimum wage and ensure that anyone working a forty hour week will be paid a minimum wage that will allow them to afford basic rental housing. Visit www.UniversalLivingWage.org - check the "What's New" button for more. Socially Responsible Investing Socially responsible investing leaders press SEC, NYSE for more comprehensive corporate reforms. UUSC has been involved in shareholder advocacy work since the 1980s. We are a long-standing member of the Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) and work to invest our endowment funds in businesses that are concerned with good corporate citizenship as well as profitability. We also choose to own small amounts of stock in corporations that we believe can improve their socially responsible investing record. In collaboration with ICCR, the Service Committee uses this limited stock ownership in identified corporations to co-file shareholder resolutions aimed at changing corporate policies, actions and guidelines For a recent press release issued by the Social Investment Forum, the national trade association for the socially responsible investing (SRI) industry, calling on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to go beyond the limited corporate governance reforms approved by the New York Stock Exchange in late July/early August 2002, visit their web site here. Call for Legislative Study FROM: CORPUS JUSTICE P.O. Box 38906 Houston, TX 77238 Email: corpus@ev1.net Web Site: http://www.corpusjustice.org CONTACT: Marilyn Head, (281) 405-8995 SUBJECT: CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE STUDY TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEMS WITH HPD AND CURRENT AVENUES OF POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY INCLUDING CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT Corpus Justice is calling on local Senators and Representatives to initiate a legislative study into the policies and procedures of the HPD, DA’s Office, and the Grand Jury System to determine whether or not current practices adequately address law enforcement problems, seek justice, follow state statutes, and protect the public. We recommend both public and expert testimony should be sought. Also, the investigation should address possible statewide solutions, including the establishment of a state commission to facilitate police accountability and local civilian oversight boards independent of the mayor's office, police department, or other policing body. Corporate Injustice CORPORATE INJUSTICE IS TARGET OF GRASSROOTS GROUP During this fall's election season, TEXANS FOR PUBLIC JUSTICE (www.tpj.org) is planning a campaign to hold Texas' public officials accountable for their role in the cascading corporate scandals. They plan to rent billboard space, place op-eds in newspapers, and organize media-savvy grassroots action across the state. Actions may include "guerrilla theater" at campaign fundraisers for candidates who have taken large amounts of Enron funds. The campaign will target candidates who received Enron money in the past and highlight how these candidates served Enron's interests over the public's. They are looking for support from like-minded people and organizations. For more information, contact: David Martin, Texas Enron Accountability Project, 210-736-9416, ogarrioluz@yahoo.com; or Craig McDonald, director, Texans for Public Justice, 512-472-9770.	Community
	Copyright 2006, Northwest Community Unitarian Universalist Church Houston, Texas