Winter 2015

While the cold and dark may tempt many to hibernate, MUUSAN members are busy building new partnerships and strengthening coalitions.  Our Climate Group continues the ongoing work of encouraging and supporting divestment of fossil fuels and opposing the Keystone Pipeline.  The MUUSAN Democracy group is actively involved with two organizations proposing ballot initiatives: Maine Citizens for Clean Elections (MCCE) and Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). The Health Care group currently is partnering with Cover Maine Now and Maine AllCare.  

 

Fossil Fuel Divestment - An open letter from people of faith

December, 2014

 

"I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live..."  Deuteronomy 30: 19

 

“No one can serve two masters.  Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve both God and Money.”  Matthew 6:24

 

Global warming is a serious threat to the earth, beginning with the most vulnerable among us.  As people of faith, we experience a moral and spiritual responsibility to protect the poor, the sick and disabled, the elderly, children, and the ecosystem on which we all depend.  

 

One important way we can do this is by moving away from the extraction and consumption of fossil fuels, which are causing climate disruption, destruction of the landscape, and human rights violations, and toward a future of clean energy that is sustainable for all.

 

More and more individuals of faith, as well as congregations and denominations, are taking a serious look at their investments in large fossil fuel companies, companies that have demonstrated their intent to extract and burn all the coal, oil, and gas at their disposal, no matter the consequences.  As Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa has said, “It makes no sense to invest in companies that undermine our future.  To serve as custodians of creation is not an empty title; it requires that we act, and with all the urgency this dire situation demands.”

 

We the undersigned are examining our own financial houses to rid our portfolios of profits from fossil fuels.   We are committed to thoughtful reinvestment in socially responsible alternatives.  We call on other concerned individuals and organizations, other people of faith, our congregations, and our denominations to do the same.  Please join us in choosing life, so that we and our descendants may live.

 

Signers as of January 10, 2015:  

 

1. Elissa & Allen Armstrong, members, First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, Portland

2. Rev. Dr. William Barter,  Senior Pastor, St Ansgar Lutheran Church, Portland

3. Rev. Margaret Beckman, Minister, First Universalist Church, Pittsfield

4. Anne D. (Andy) Burt, member, Midcoast Friends Meeting, Damariscotta

5. Sally and Jonathan Chappell, members, St. Joseph Church, Bridgton

6. Hilary Clark , Chair of Green Sanctuary Committee, South Church Unitarian Universalist, Portsmouth, NH

7. Judith H Coscarelli, member, St Paul the Apostle Parish, Bangor

8. Ms. Gretchen Crawford, member, St. John the Baptist Episcopal church, Thomaston

9. Christina Diebold, Co-chair, Green Sanctuary Committee, Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor

10. Denise Dreher, Co-Coordinator, Pax Christi Maine, and member, Sacred Heart/St. Dominic parish, Portland

11. Betsy Eaton, member of the EarthCare Team, First Parish Church, UCC, Brunswick

12. Rev. Sue Gabrielson, Executive Director, Maine Council of Churches and Minister, Sanford Unitarian Universalist Church

13. Rev. Lorna Grenfell, Church of Universal Fellowship, Orono

14. Rebecca Halbrook, member, Earth Care Team, First Parish Church UCC, Brunswick

15. Mary Harlan, member, First Methodist Church, Bangor

16. Rev. Alice A. Hildebrand, United Church of Christ, Brooklin

17. Priscilla J. Jenkins, member, Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Augusta

18. Samuel Jones, member, First Parish Church UCC, Brunswick

19. Julia G. Kahrl, member, First Parish Church, Brunswick

20. Elizabeth King, member, St Marys/All Saints parish, Bath

21. Donna Little, Buddhist practitioner, Falmouth

22. Catharine C. Lund, First Parish Church, Unitarian Universalist, Congress St., Portland

23. Karen Marysdaughter, member, Monroe Community Church UCC

24. Jean Matlack, member, First Universalist Church of Rockland

25. Rev. Allen C. Myers, PhD, retired pastor, United Church of Christ, Brooklin

26. Laurie Osher, PhD, member, Congregation Beth El, Bangor & President of Maine Interfaith Power & Light

27. Richard Paget, Vestry,  St. Brendan the Navigator Episcopal Church,  Deer Isle

28. Susan Payne, member, First Parish Climate Action Community, First Parish, Portland

29. Pam Person, member, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Castine

30. Mary Ellen Quinn, Co-Coordinator, Pax Christi Maine

31. Judi Reis, Earth Stewards, Sanford UU Church

32. Parivash & Nasser Rohani, Baha’i Community, Auburn

33. Wendy Schlotterbeck, Youth Minister, Durham Monthly Meeting of Friends

34. Pete Sirois, member, Prison Ministries, Christ the King Parish, Madison

35. Ursula & William Slavick, Pax Christi Maine

36. Louise Lora Somlyo, member, First Parish UU Church Portland

37. Rev. Charles J. Stephens, Minister, Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Castine

38. Richard Thomas, church member & member of the Green Sanctuary Committee, Universalist Unitarian Church, Waterville

39. Rev. Kitsy Winthrop, Unitarian Universalist, Portland

40. Rev. Vicki L Woods, United Methodist, Retired

41. Holly Zadra, member, First Universalist Church of Pittsfield

 

Message from Maine AllCare

There are several ways to become involved in promoting universal health care:
- Your local UU church can offer a healthcare service--like the one at the Allen Avenue Church--to inform people about this urgent issue & the movement to solve our healthcare crisis. 
- Survey Collection:  Volunteer to collect healthcare stories with friends, family, and community members to help us learn more about what Mainers are truly experiencing and connect folks to the campaign. Or gather a group to receive a training on survey collection.
- Presentations/Speaking Engagements:  Maine AllCare has a speakers' bureau of informed professionals who can give a talk to help debunk some of the myths about universal single-payer care.  This can include, depending on the audience, the showing of The Healthcare Movie, which highlights the differences between the system in the US and that of Canada. The Workers' Center also offers presentations (ranging from 5 to 90 mins long) about the campaign, as well as trainings on how to conduct surveys, etc. Invite us to give a presentation or set up a speaking engagement in your town or with your church.
- Local Committees:  We are looking to develop campaign committees in every county across the state. If you are interested in collaborating to set up a working committee in your town, we are happy to provide resources/materials and direct in-person support and training.

Contact Maine AllCare to learn more.  info@maineallcare.org