This Week's Service

Friday, September 30:  Share the Plate Finalist Vote Ending (Click here to Vote)
Tuesday, October 4, 9:30 am: Meditation Circle - Join on Zoom (Meeting ID: 864 3352 3334 Passcode: 737316) or Contact Ed Merck ejm646@gmail.com
Friday, October 7, 2 pm: Sewcial Action Knitwork (contact Laura Beebe for further information)
Save The Date
Tuesday, October 11, 9:30 am:  Meditation Circle
Thursday, October 13, 3 - 5:00 pm:  Worship Committee (location TBD)
Sunday, October 16, 10 am:  Share the Plate Offering during service
Monday, October 17, 10 am - 12:15 pm:  Parish Committee (meeting takes place on Zoom)

In Our CommUUnity
Caring News - Healing wishes go out to our friends
Bill and Sharon Engler participated in the virtual service last Sunday. Bill is able to talk and get a round. Sharon says that he would love to have some visitors if anyone would like to stop and say hello. She does ask that you contact her first. They are still in need of both financial and food support. So please if you can give anything to the GoFundMe or sign up for the meal train that would be great.
You can also access their  GoFundMe page here and sign up to provide a meal at www.mealtrain.com .

Betsy Young Buck is suffering from Covid.  She is still feeling poorly but, getting a little bit better every day.

Nancy Wood has been suffering from bronchitis. She is doing much better.

Share the Plate
The Share the Plate committee narrowed the nominated organizations down to five. We have put together a bit of information on each of our nominees to help in your decision on which organization to vote for. Thanks to everyone for their nominations and for your upcoming vote. Remember, all votes must be submitted by September 30th. You may vote online or by paper ballot (available in the chapel). You may also call Bill Bridwell (774-563-8542) and tell him your choice.
The Equal Justice Initiative: Founded in 1994 when the Southern Center for Human Rights lost federal funding, The Equal Justice Initiative (EJI) was designed to provide legal defense for death row prisoners.
The Abortion Freedom Fund: Abortion Freedom Fund is a national abortion fund supporting accessible, affordable, evidence-based telehealth abortion care for all. Our mission is to help pregnant people take control of their healthcare and futures by dismantling medicalized control of abortion and encouraging a world where abortion pills are over the counter.
The Island Housing Trust: The Island Housing Trust is a non-profit Community Land Trust organization that supports a diverse and vital community on the island of Martha’s Vineyard by creating and sustaining permanently affordable housing, both rental and ownership.
The US Slave Song Project: The U.S. Slave Song Project (USSSP) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating the public about authentic U.S. slave songs. U.S. slave songs, also known as Negro spirituals, are true American folk music. They were sung by slaves between 1619 and 1865, when the last slaves were freed.
Hospice and Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard: Since 1981, Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha’s Vineyard (HPCMV) has been providing end-of-life care for our patients and their loved ones.
The winner will receive 100% of the plate collection on Sunday, October 16th. 

October Birthdays 
Jeanne Hewett 10th
Janet Newton      15th
Dorothy Packer   30th
Maria Thibodeau 24th

MV CROP Hunger-Walk-A-Thon FUNDRAISING - October 1 - 16
Dust off your walking shoes, UUSMV will be participating in the 32nd Martha’s Vineyard Crop Walk on October 16th. Liz Loucks will be heading up our effort and you can sign up using the link below.

Every day, countless people face the uncertainties brought on by poverty and food insecurity. Many people around the world must walk long distances-to find work, to access
clean water, or to get their next meal from a local food pantry or soup kitchen. UUSMV has participated in Crop Walks for many years. This year you can either participate on Walk Day, October 16th for a 3 mile starting at 1:30 PM at St. Augustine’s Church, or walk by yourself or in small groups during the MV CROP Walk-A-Thon between October 1 and 16th. 
WALK. GIVE. CHANGE THE WORLD!
To find out more about the CROP Walk on Martha’s Vineyard and join the
UUSMV team please follow this link: https://events.crophungerwalk.org/2022/team/uusmv
You can help the UUSMV team by walking and/or by making a donation.

Message from the Wayside Pulpit






Sharing the Abundance of Our Lives
Refugee atrocities, natural disasters, and oppressive governments have afflicted millions on the planet.  Help the UU Service Committee combat these horrors by collecting loose coins (and paper bills) for the UUSC Guest at Your Table campaign.
Thanks from the UUSMV Universal Justice Network

October Care Coordinator
Karen Sankey is the October Care Coordinator

Climate resolution for 2022
 - Adapted from the Vineyard Conservation Society
Nitrogen pollution is the major pollutant in our island ponds.  The major source is from wastewater which can only be reduced by better septic systems ,  but we can all help reduce the nitrogen by not using fertilizers on our lawns.   Have a vineyard LAWN!!
USE NO PESTICIDES, FERTILIZERS, and less watering .  Mixed grass varieties and native plantings are more hardy and require less time and attention and are safe for kids, pets, and wildlife .  Keep mowing to a minimum, never cutting lower than three inches and let the clippings fall as natural fertilizer.  And bees and butterflies will come!
 

Question One
 In addition to the elections of state offices, there will be four ballot questions for voters to consider in November. One related to progressive taxes, one related to dental insurance, one related to alcohol licenses and the last one on driver's licenses for undocumented immigrants. The last one was recently passed in the state legislature and will need to be approved by the voters. Though I cover only the first one again here, I hope to expand next week on some of the others. I have included a link though below on all questions in the meantime.
Question One on the ballot has to do with a change in the constitution to allow a more progressive fairer tax structure hence it is known as the Fair Share Amendment or the Millionaires’ Tax. Working families and small businesses struggled throughout the pandemic while super rich got even richer. The former groups contribute a greater share of their income to all forms of taxes averaging ten percent whereas very wealthy individuals contribute closer to six percent. Our flat income tax rate of 5% is not an equitable tax structure.
What the amendment proposes as a more equitable solution. This constitution amendment would keep that 5% rate in place on incomes below one million. For those whose income exceeds one million, the additional income ( over one million) would be subject to an additional 4 cents on the dollar. This would generate about two billion dollars each year dedicated to education pre k-12 and higher education and needed infrastructure such as roads, dams, bridges and public transportation.
Pro and con ads are now running on the major networks suggesting home owners and small businesses will be impacted. Only one percent of home sales generate enough of a capital gain tax after deductions to be affected by question one. Only 3% of business owners or shareholders earning more than one million in personal income would be affected by this change.
Question One has been endorsed by the Unitarian Universalist Association. To find out more information about the amendment itself, and about Raise Up Massachusetts,( a coalition working together to promote its passage and their work in the past) a link has been provided. https:// www.fairsharema.com/resources
https://www.nbcboston.com/news/local/a-closer-look-at-the-2022- massachusetts-ballot-questions/2844726/
Sheila Hanley

National Hispanic Heritage Month 2022 began yesterday, Thursday, September 15 and ends on Saturday, October 15. The 2022 Hispanic Heritage Month Observance Theme is: "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation."  It is a time to appreciate and celebrate the colorful cultures, rich histories, and diversity of the American Latino community. What will you do to honor and celebrate our MV Latino community?
Why not attend the Portuguese American club family festival?
(While Portuguese Speaking Brazilians are not considered Hispanic, they are considered Latino.)
Saturday, October 1, 2 - 7 pm (Rain date October 2) at the Portuguese Sopa

Common Cause Massachusetts
It’s time for us to organize for the general election in November, and we are hoping to expand to even more polling locations statewide!

We are looking for all kinds of volunteers - it doesn’t matter if you’re new or seasoned, we want you to join us in protecting election integrity in Massachusetts. You can sign up at https://protectthevote.net/   to volunteer with our election protection program!