Celebrating 10 years
WE DID IT, FRIENDS! After a long, difficult three years of pandemic, change, and loss, we gathered again and celebrated hope, community, and our determination to bend Texas toward justice TOGETHER. Thank you so much to everyone who was part of TXUUJM: 10 Years & Growing!
We heard powerful panels on #reproductivejustice, #transrights, #decarceration, #communityorganizing, the Texas Legislature and more. We also grounded ourselves in joy practices like laughter yoga, singing, dancing, food, and fellowship, making connections for the lifelong work of justice. Texas UUs #SidewithLove and we are never alone in this work.
What did you take away from the day? Please share pics, videos, quotes, and calls to action on social media, tagging @txuujm and #SidewithLove! A feedback form is coming, but also please feel free to send your thoughts and questions to txuujm@gmail.com. How would you like to get involved? We want to hear from you!
NOTES TO REV. CHUCK: Please visit the jamboard https://tinyurl.com/ThanksRevChuck to see notes to Rev. Chuck Freeman from our virtual participants and to add notes if you would like. You can also visit https://tinyurl.com/Jan21Virtual to see what our virtual participants got up to during the breakouts (and add your own reflections!)
NEXT: Mark your calendars for MONDAY, MARCH 13TH! On 3/13/23, Texas UUs and our justice-seeking friends will convene at the Texas Capitol building for our annual TXUUJM Legislative Action Day and an interfaith rally around issues of postpartum healthcare and mortality of Black mothers and birthing persons. Details to come but please get it on your calendar, and rally a group of friends. Join us at the Capitol!
See the full photo album and follow TXUUJM on Facebook.
Watch the recorded livestream of the whole day here.Sign up for TXUUJM news at txuujm.org and for Legislative actions here.
TXUUJM 10th Anniversary Videos on YouTube:
• Click to watch the TXUUJM 10th Anniversary video, with a tribute to founding executive director and TXUUJM minister emeritus Rev. Chuck Freeman and lots of photos of YOU, the members of TXUUJM, in action.
• Click here for “happy anniversary” reflections from our partners and a video slideshow with more photos of 10 years of UUs bending Texas toward justice!
Who were all those awesome speakers? Click here and here to read their bios and info in past TXUUJM newsletters. (Scroll if you don’t see them right away. They’re in there!)
Click here for the full “10 Years & Growing!” photo album.
The 10th Anniversary gathering included childcare, youth programming, a quiet space, and chaplaincy and space for LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC participants. For our closing, two youth representatives, Finch and Ace, presented a statement, which they read aloud and we will share at the Capitol on March 13th at TXUUJM Legislative Action Day. It reads: “As UU youth in Texas, we want the Texas Legislature to defend transgender affirming care and reproductive health for all, guarantee inclusive education about race, gender, and sexuality, and provide accurate scientific and historical curriculum.” Amen and thank you to the youth!