Finding Our Next Right Action: Focus Areas and Program Offerings

In the wake of George Floyd’s killing on May 25, 2020, many of us have been looking for ways to turn our outrage and sorrow into concrete action to end racial injustice. Under the banner Finding Our Next Right Action, members of our community are coming together to work toward change on a number of fronts, and you are invited to join us.

On three Wellspring Wednesdays in August, this work will continue with a discussion with Rob and Janne (August 5), peace circles facilitated by Unity's Racial and Restorative Justice Team (August 12), and Committing to Our Next Right Action (August 19). Details for these events is at the bottom of this post.

Shaping ideas that emerged from the Next Right Action Zoom discussion groups in early June, Unity’s Beloved Community Staff Team is channeling these efforts into seven specific focus areas:

Education
The church will make the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) more widely available. The IDI is an assessment tool, used with follow-up resources and activities, intended to help the congregation grow as an anti-racist, multicultural spiritual community. If you are interested in taking the assessment, contact Drew Danielson. Team Dynamics, the consulting firm guiding Unity in this process, will offer three half-day workshops and training sessions during the fall/winter season. Dates: TBD. Contacts: Drew Danielson at drew@unityunitarian.org (to request an IDI assessment); KP Hong at kp@unityunitarian.org. 

Policing Reform
Unity’s Racial and Restorative Justice Team (RRJ) plans to hold two circles this summer, inviting people into deeper conversation about efforts to change infrastructure, training, and accountability for police and police departments. Conversations will be led by RRJ Team members. Date: August 12, 2020. Contact: Karen Hering at karen@unityunitarian.org.

Youth and Parents
A Family Fishbowl on Race and Racism, a Zoom conversation exploring thoughts and emotions about these issues, will be (was) held July 23. In the longer term, the congregation will explore ways to strengthen parental involvement in Religious Education, especially in seminal programs and events including the Boston pilgrimage, Coming of Age, Our Whole Lives, and Tower Club parent council. Date: July 23, 2020 (Family Fishbowl). Contact: Drew Danielson at drew@unityunitarian.org.

Neighborhood Organizing and Policing
Building on existing relationships with organizations such as the Summit-University Planning Council and the St. Paul Police Department, Unity Church (and, in particular, executive director Barbara Hubbard) will seek opportunities to engage in the complex and multifaceted conversation about policing that is under way in our community and our country. Your ideas for creating and shaping these conversations are welcome. Contact: Barbara Hubbard at barbara@unityunitarian.org. 

Funding Emergency Needs
A list of opportunities to support critical initiatives that address police violence, gaps in housing and education, growing economic disparities, and more is available on the Beloved Community Staff Team community resources page and will be updated to provide ongoing guidance. In the longer term, Unity will work toward establishing sustained support and closer coordination with partner organizations led by people of color. Contact: Barbara Hubbard at barbara@unityunitarian.org. 

Hands-On Volunteering
Information about volunteer opportunities will be updated and available right here on the Beloved Community Staff Team webpage. Contact: Karen Hering at karen@unityunitarian.org.

You can read more about these opportunities and Finding Our Next Right Action at https://bit.ly/nextrightstepsdoc.
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AUGUST PROGRAMS
Reflecting on the Journey • Wednesday, August 5 • 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Email madeline@unityunitarian.org to join this session.
Senior Co-Ministers Revs. Rob and Janne Eller-Isaacs will each reflect on a personal journey they are presently on and on the journey we are on together as a congregation now. In breakout groups, participants will be invited to similarly share with one another.

The August 12 Wellspring Wednesday offering, "Reimagining Public Safety: A Circle of Peace," has reached capacity. Due to high demand another circle has been scheduled for Sunday, August 30, from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Register online.
The Racial and Restorative Justice team is calling together a Circle of Peace to help us begin talking and learning about Reimagining Public Safety, how white people center police in maintaining personal safety, and how policing harms people of color and fails to keep them safe. All levels of interest are welcome; the Circle is open to people ages 15 and older. Most of the time will be spent sharing in the Peace Circle process to enhance listening and avoid crosstalk. All participants must preregister and are asked to read the MPD 150 report “A People’s Project Evaluating Policing” before attending. This first step in understanding multiple perspectives will be followed with an invitation into several ways for getting involved. The MPD 150 report is online at www.mpd150.com in both printed and audio formats. 

Committing to Our Next Right Action • Wednesday, August 19 • 7:00-8:30 p.m.
Register here: https://bit.ly/commitnextrightaction
A follow-up to Finding Our Next Right Action held on June 4, 2020 (participants do not need to have attended June 4).
We’ve listened, we’ve discerned, we’ve created lists—what’s next? Come connect with others to learn more about and sign up for action steps generated from the “Finding Our Next Right Action” forum held on June 4 (see the doc outlining next steps here: https://bit.ly/nextrightstepsdoc). There is work enough for everyone — some of it personal, some of it within and some outside Unity Church. 

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