Strawberries for Monday

By Elizabeth Nguyen

This Monday in Boston it's raining, but I have freshly picked strawberries at my desk. Despite all the brokenness, there is much beauty.

Here's what's giving me hope this week:

If you haven't shared your vision for how our Unitarian Universalist movement can be more aligned, strategic and loving in our racial justice work, do it now! The Unitarian Universalist Association Racial Justice Vision Survey closes at midnight on June 15th.

On Tuesday June 16th at 9pm EDT - 10pm EDT, the Church of the Larger Fellowship is hosting Touching Our Strength: Connected through Faith in Our quest for Love and Justice. An online service for people of color. This service is about resistance and resilience, to support people of color as the movement for racial equality builds across the country, and people are rising up against white supremacy, racism, and Empire.

Join from PC, Mac, iOS or Android: https://zoom.us/j/792327364 Or join by phone: +1 408 638 0968 (US Toll) or +1 646 558 8656 (US Toll) Meeting ID: 792 327 364 At the same time a worship for white allies will also be held. For youth and young adults of color attending General Assembly in Portland, let's gather together! young adult of color caucus thur 6/25 10:45-12pm OCC -- A107-108 facilitated by Ranwa Hammamy and Kenny Wiley lunch for youth of color fri 6/26 12-1:15pm doubletree – alaska facilitated by Rev. Marisol Caballero and Kimberly Johnson Check out some other highlighted events for UU youth and young adults of color! And after GA, Multicultural Leadership School approaches and it will be so good to gather as UU youth and young adults of color.

And now, some words by wise UU religious leaders - from Adam Dyer from his reflection on this Rachel Dolezal business:

"Being whole will never be just about an appearance, Living a masquerade of someone else’s history…pain…journey…Hiding behind makeup or hairstyles is, in the truest sense, a travesty; Being whole is not."

And from Kimberly Quinn Johnson, on watching Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, because art is resistance: "In a culture that presents bodies like mine for exploitation; in a society that promotes the idea that black bodies like mine are expendable, the Ailey dancers reminds us that black bodies that look like mine—that move like mine—are sacred and holy."

love, ~Elizabeth
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