Stories of Justice
ERUUFians Invited to Join CSA
ERUUF is taking part in a summer CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) with a local farmer of color sponsored by RAFI-USA's Come to the Table program. RAFI-USA is partnering with Kamal Bell and Sankofa Farms. Churches involved include First Presbyterian Church and Immaculate Conception, as well as ERUUF.
Sankofa Farms is a multifaceted agricultural entity that seeks to assist in changing the food intake habits of those living in and affected by food deserts. The goal of Sankofa Farms is to create a sustainable food source for minorities in both rural and urban areas located in Durham and Orange County.
Update on Welcome Home Project
The ERUUF Justice Ministry would like to thank the following ERUUFians for helping us sponsor 6 boxes for the Welcome Home project:
Grassroots Democracy in Action at the Hoover Road DHA Community
Early this summer, Durham CAN began organizing at the Durham Housing Authority (DHA) Hoover Road Community led by Organizer, Tinu Diver. Hoover Road is a conventional public housing community located in East Durham. The 54 multi-family townhomes were built in 1968. The units are for low income families and their rent is set at 30% of their income. Hoover Road residents include a mix of young families, multi-generational families, and elderly residents. Some residents have been living in the community for 25 years or more. 98% of heads of household are minorities and 94% make less than 30% AMI (1). According to the housing 1 authority, the average income of its 3,727 public housing tenants is $13,253 (2).
Read more: Grassroots Democracy in Action at the Hoover Road DHA Community
Surprises Can Happen!
Last November I got an email that I nearly deleted, but it turned out to be the beginning of a very pleasant surprise. The message came via the ERUUF website, and had been relayed to me by ERUUF staff. Here it is, in full:
Are you in need of financial donations? I live in Costa Rica now, but was once a member of the UU Fellowship in Clemson, SC. Eno River seems to be a little more active in helping refugees. If I made a donation of $500, how might Eno River use that money to aid refugees?
Peace
A Green Sanctuary Accreditation Progress Update
Congratulations to our ERUUF congregational community for the ongoing progress toward Green Sanctuary Accreditation! As some of you may recall, securing Green Sanctuary became a strategic goal in ERUUF’s
2016-2019 Strategic Plan. Since that time, we have made steady progress to include the acceptance of our Green Sanctuary Action Plan by the UUA Green Sanctuary Program in September 2018. Click on the link below to download a document that outlines some of the exciting progress we've made toward Green Sanctuary Accreditation.
Video: On The Path to Becoming a Green Sanctuary
As part of the Green Sanctuary Project, the Earth Justice Action Team held an Earth and Climate Justice Month in April of 2019 that included activities for the congregation and larger community. In this video, members share their experiences.
A Grand Vision for Durham: Becoming a Living Wage City
Durham CAN has a grand vision for Durham. We want to see Durham become a Living Wage City as well as see increased access to job training and jobs for people in our community that need it most.
Read more: A Grand Vision for Durham: Becoming a Living Wage City
Announcing the UUA Common Read for 2018 - 2019
Announcing the UUA Common Read for 2018-2019: Justice on Earth, People of Faith Working at the Intersections of Race, Class, and the Environment. This year's read is a Green Sanctuary Project sponsored jointly by the Justice Ministry Council and the Earth Justice Action Group. Please use the Google Form to register to participate. Facilitators will be contacting registered participants soon to set times and locations for the discussions. The book can be purchased on the UUA website, Amazon, or on your smart device with Kindle or Google Play. You may also use the Google Form to indicate that you need assistance in purchasing a copy of the book or would like to borrow a copy. A celebration of our collective participation is planned for April 28 following the second service.
Durham CAN sets agenda for the next 6 months
Durham CAN has developed their vision, goals and action steps for the next six months. Briefly, they are to
- hold listening sessions for their new jobs and criminal justice campaigns
- continue to pursue and celebrate their successes for more affordable housing in Durham
- secure previous commitments and
- expand their base of power
Find more information in the Durham CAN June newsletter. ERUUF's team for Durham CAN encourages interested folks to attend one of the CAN leadership institutes in July or contact Heather Ladd or Dick Hails for more ways that one can support and participate in CAN events.
ERUUFians Attend Successful Durham CAN event for Affordable Housing
Read more: ERUUFians Attend Successful Durham CAN event for Affordable Housing
