Invitation to Turning the Tides Justice Summit

Friday Worship. “Saving Democracy: Care for Activists in Liberation Movements (C.A.L.M.)”

Join us for an evening of CALM with Antoinette Scully. Many of us are carrying the heavy weight of our activist lives with nowhere to put that weight down. In the Spring of 2021, Valley Justice Collective invited a few friends to join in creating sacred space in one’s own homes – over zoom. These sessions have continued since and are now named  C.A.L.M. as a way to honor our needs as people, rooted in activist principles and values, so we can continue to fight for justice. We welcome people of all backgrounds, spiritual paths, and beliefs of good will, while rooted in Unitarian Universalist practices. Come and enjoy the music, the readings, and the community.

Keynote. “Circle Process: Disrupting White Supremacy”

Rachel Rott (UURISE: Special Projects) will be leading a round table discussion using Circle Process (a form of sociocracy) as a way to disrupt White Supremacy Culture and behavior in justice work. The conversation will be held between Aisha Houser (UU Educator), Jess Hunt (UUA Congregational Life Team: HOPE for Us Conflict Engagement Team Coach), and Katia Hanson (UURISE: President & CEO). The conversation will be about who to shed “old ways” of doing justice and establishing new models of collaborative justice.

Workshop 1. “Modeling a Shared and Collaborative Ministry”

Antoinette Scully (Valley Justice Coalition/UUWF) will be leading a conversation based on their experience as an organizer with UU Women’s Federation on how to develop shared and collaborative ministry bringing into the conversation their background with racial justice facilitation and conflict mediation.

Workshop 2. “Immigration Today: What is Parole in Place?”

Katia Hansen (UURISE: President & CEO) will be sharing with us an update on the current immigration laws, policies, & enforcement including recent changes with a specific update on the new Parole in Place that was rolled out on June 18th of this year.

Workshop 3. “Normal is Just a Setting on a Washing Machine: Ableism Basics”

Rev Suzanne Fast (EqUUal Access: President) will be leading an educational and informative conversation covering five key concepts, and three current issues about ableism and disability justice. The discussion will include an introduction to systematic change required to achieve disability justice across the board from the national to the congregational. 

Sunday Worship. “One Home at a Time”

Mark Chase (UUJMCA: Immigrant Justice Action Team) and Pastor AJ will lead worship and discussion based on the July 21st Sunday Service “Building Hope without Borders” hosted by Mt Diablo UU Church with reflection from participants of the April 2024 Pilgrimage to the Board: Building Homes, Creating Community. Join us for an inspirational and reflective service with a call to action.  We will be also be sharing musical offerings from Franciso Ruiz with the choir of the UU Church in Long Beach and Paul Ermisch from Bridges: A UU Network.

Workshop 4. Community Ministry and the Shared Ministry Model

We will explore how community ministry functions in the lives of our people as it relates to congregations, those at the margins, and our larger UU faith. The model of shared ministry is one that community ministers practice and champion, although called various things. Join two of the leaders of UU Society of Community Ministries, Co-President, Ben Gabel he/they and Executive Administrator, Minister Crystal Saiyge, as they share about their organization, its role in our faith and their process to receive Fatih Endorsement for Board Certified Chaplaincy. 

Cluster Conversations

Are you looking to connect with other activists in your community? These conversations will be an unscripted opportunity for you to meet and network with UUs in your local area to build relationships, exchange ideas and contact information as means to grow your local actions and movements toward Justice