2020 has been a year full of crises, trauma, and loss. There’s an understandable urge to want to be done with it and to move on to a new year, with a new president and new possibilities.

Now, though, before the turning of the calendar year, is a moment to embrace both grief and gratitude. Pain and joy. Challenges and lessons. (click here to see the full blog)

Inauguration 2021
Congratulations to our new President and Vice President!

And remember, the work doesn’t end with the inauguration. As the new administration begins, let us consider what kind of energy we are putting out. Are we bridge builders? Are we a compassionate, healing presence?

We can’t leave it to the leaders to solve all the problems we're facing. We can’t fall asleep again! We can trust community and each other. We must stay open and share the gift of our engagement, our action, and our loving presence.

• The National Coalition Building Institute (NCBI) of Rochester presents Myths of Meritocracy in a White Dominant Culture. Tuesday, January 12,10:00 AM–12:00 PM and Thursday, January 21, 2021, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM
• Acting in Solidarity: Antiracism in Climate Activism
  A Book Discussion Series: Sponsored by Climate Solutions Accelerator. Wednesday evenings January 13, 20, and 27, 6:30-8:00 PM
• A Tale of Two Cities: Redlining and Racist Policies in Rochester, New York, Wednesday, January 20, 2021, 5:00 – 6:00 PM EST. Learn from local experts about the history of segregation in Rochester, New York and the enduring impact of racist policies like redlining.
• Responding to Racist Remarks Sponsored by SURJ. Wednesday, January 20, 6:30-8:30 PM
• NCBI is also offering Dismantling the Walls Between Us as an interactive session designed to boost confidence in communication by listening in ways that connect us.  The exercises give participants the chance to reflect on a different way of approaching conversations and relationships from which the skills flow. Thursday, January 28, 2021, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon
• Ongoing: Black Lives Matter: A Peaceful, Silent, Witness, Saturdays, 12:00-1:00 PM

James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.” In the January Seeds of Hope we will view the powerful one-hour documentary, "The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking The Domination Code."  The Doctrine of Discovery is comprised in a little-mentioned set of 15th-Century papal edicts that conferred on European monarchs the right and duty “to invade, search out, capture, vanquish, and subdue all Saracens [Muslims] and pagans whatsoever... and all movable and immovable goods whatsoever held and possessed by them and to reduce their persons to perpetual slavery.” During this event we will process the impact this domination code has had on our society as well as the inspiration of the Native American principles of mutuality (non-domination).

You are invited to register for this free Zoom event and join us in helping change history.  Here’s the registration link. You will immediately receive a confirmation and the Zoom link from Pachamama Alliance of the Rochester Area, and a reminder notice the day before the event.