Black Lives Matter

Black lives matter. The sign on your building says so. Black lives matter. Do you believe those words? How are you living into those words?

Black lives matter, we say. Yet acts of anti-black racism happen all the time. Racist acts range from mundane "microaggressions" that may not have had racist intent yet have racist impact, to blatant acts of murder including the killing of George Floyd as a recent example. No racist act is to be tolerated.

What can we do to eradicate racism and create a world where black lives truly matter? The virus of racism is as virulent and frightening as the coronavirus that plagues us. If the idea of walking out the door is frightening, imagine the fear that black people feel every day.

There’s so much we can learn, and learn from each other in our separate experiences and our common ones just by talking with each other with openness and compassion.

“Doing something” won’t look the same for all of us. But there is something each of us can do, including learning opportunities. Some possibilities:

“Response + Recovery: First Friday - Encouraging Courageous Policy and Conversation” The role of policy and advocacy in addressing racism in our region. Friday, June 5 at 8:30 a.m. Partner and member conversations on pressing issues. Sponsored by the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce, an affiliate of the Allegheny Conference on Community Development. Speakers will include: Austin Davis, Pennsylvania State Representative (PA-35); Dr. Angela Reynolds, CEO, YWCA of Greater Pittsburgh; Sabrina Saunders Mosby, President & CEO, Vibrant Pittsburgh; Katie Pope, Interim Vice-Chancellor of Diversity and Inclusion, University of Pittsburgh. Register here https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_dOY_X7c9SYefEkmCYNwYtw
 

“Unfinished Business: A Study of DuBois’ Reconstruction in America to Now” Four Wednesdays: June 10, June 17, July 1 and July 8. This political education series offered by Side With Love and Love Resists will explore the history of the reconstruction era (post-civil war), to give us a deeper understanding of the origin of today’s systemic racism in policing and mass incarceration as well as the Black-led movements resisting it. In this pivotal protest moment sparked by the law-enforcement-linked murders of George Floyd, Amaud Ahmery, Breonna Taylor, and Tony McDade - only the most recent Black lives to be lost to police violence - we’ll learn from the past to be ready for today, and to build towards the world we dream of. We’ll be using the 4-part documentary “Reconstruction: America After the Civil War” narrated by Henry Louis Gates Jr. as a starting point for reflection, discussion, spiritual grounding in UU values, and action. The political education group will begin each Wednesday at 5 pm PT/8 pm ET and you can join an hour earlier (4 pm PT/7 pm ET) to watch the film together, or you can watch on your own any time ahead of the discussion group. Register here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScIrqBj400Mk4kJzvg6rZZaQEHsXRqDklR3M4esKEF-LNPKKA/viewform for zoom call-in information and more details about the program.

Tuesday evening’s #WeCantBreathe UUA Virtual Prayer Vigil is available to watch and listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HeVBM4tGk4

And a new message from UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray is available here: https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/message-uua-president-dont-turn-away-challenge-and-truth-uprisings

In faith and hope for wholeness and healing,

Connie
 

Flower Photographs Available for Download
Flower photographs that were sent in by congregants for our May 31 Flower Celebration service (including those that were received after the deadline) are available at https://www.flickr.com/gp/188434581@N02/e2QbN5

Helping Each Other
During these trying times members of the church may occasionally need a helping hand. The Pastoral Care Team asks you to identify ways you may be able to assist. We expect you would be called only a few times during the year. Please Contact a member of the team if you are able to help. 

You’ll be asked to indicate which of these you may be able to help with from time to time:

□ Transportation

□ Providing a meal for an individual or family

□ Shopping

□ Emotional support

In the event of a need in the congregation, you may be contacted to see whether you are available to help at that time. Your help will be appreciated!