UU Action NH - End of Year News + Updates
Hi everyone,
We hope you have a wonderful week of celebrating holidays with your communities.
We have had quite the year here at UU Action NH. Please read below for some important updates. Please reach out to me with any questions or thoughts that may arise.
We rely on support from congregations and donations to fuel our work. If you are so inspired, we please consider supporting our work with a donation before we start the new year.
December 19th Community Listening Convening & Calls to Action
Last week, we met with UU congregations and members to reflect on current times and gather important input from you as to what we should focus on moving forward.
A key theme that emerged was partnership. We are actively building important relationships and partnerships with other statewide organizations, including 603 Legal Aid, NH Environment Working Group, Granite State Organizing Project, and others.
Stay tuned for some important joint events in 2025, highlighting a variety of social issues and calls to action.
If you would like to view the recording of our event, please reach out to me at director@uuactionnh.org.
Some specific Calls to Action:
Seacoast Outright, a nonprofit serving mostly LGBTQ+ youth, has announced that they are expanding to become a statewide organization serving our queer communities. Consider raising funds at the local level to support this expansion, and partnering with the organization to help them expand efficiently and effectively to all communities across NH.
Pink Haven, a coalition that provides life-saving aid to transgender, two-spirit and other gender expansive people, is also gaining momentum in Milford and other UU communities. Consider supporting their services through activating your voices and/or making contributions to support the organization.
Our prison populations continue to be prejudiced and “othered” by our political leadership - Concord Monitor - State senate approves constitutional amendment banning involuntary servitude – except for prisoners. Please use your voices to elevate this need, as shared by an important Bail Fund volunteer during the convening.
We are looking for volunteers to help continue our social justice work in the climate justice space into 2025. Please reach out to me if this is something you would like to see happen, and have bandwidth to partner with UU Action NH to implement an ongoing series.
Immigrant Solidarity Network (ISN) Prayer Vigils are being held on Tuesdays in January. The next convening is on January 7th. Folks can meet at the ICE Headquarters at 275 Chestnut Street in Manchester around 9:00am for a solidarity vigil to support with our voice and peace.
Inaugural UU Action NH Member Council - Join by January 31st!
We are proud to have launched a Call for Interest for our inaugural member council, which will hold its first formal meeting in February 2025.
We are collecting bios for this fantastically engaged group and will share more about each person in our January newsletter.
We have representation from Portsmouth, Exeter, Peterborough and Milford.
You can read more about Roles & Responsibilities at this link:
Member Council Launch 2024 - Google Docs
Please contact me to get your congregation involved in this important body of work.
New UU Action NH Website is in the Works!
Our new website is well on its way! We aim to wrap this project up by the end of January 2025. A sneak peak is shared at the header of this email.
January 20th - Supporting our Immigrant Communities through Uncertainty
Please save the date for our first event in 2025, “Supporting our Immigrant Communities through Uncertainty.” January 20th from 6:30pm-7:30pm via zoom.
We will meet virtually on the first day of our new administration to share how congregations can become sanctuaries for our immigrant communities. We will hear from leaders from the NH Immigrant Solidarity Network and Manchester UU.
Invite forthcoming in early January. Related story at the national level:
My church kept ICE from deporting our neighbor Jose. The Bible told us so.
NH Community Bail Fund - 1,000th Bail and Call for Volunteers
The Community Bail Fund, fiscally sponsored by UU Action NH, has recently paid its 1,000th bail! The volunteer team recently met for a holiday appreciation gathering. The team continues to look for increased volunteer capacity to support efforts in communities throughout the state.
If you are interested in volunteering your time, please contact me and I will connect you with the bail team.
We wish you all a warm and loving end to 2025.
We are looking forward to ramping up our work with you in January and beyond.
Warmly,
Tim Smith-Gerding and the UU Action NH Board of Directors
