The Economic Justice Task Force would like people to send letters to our Governor asking him to sign the minimum wage increase bill on his desk. The New Jersey State Legislature has approved legislation (A2162) raising the state minimum wage and linking it to annual increases in the cost of living (also known as the Cost of Living Adjustment, or COLA). The bill calls for an increase to $8.50 per hour from the current $7.25 per hour and an annual adjustment linked to any increase in COL. Sample letter.
News and Alerts
Summit Unveils Banner Supporting Marriage Equality
The Unitarian Church in Summit unveiled a banner on the front of its building on December 9 supporting full legal recognition of same-sex marriage. The banner reads “Say ‘I Do’ to Marriage Equality” and was designed by graphic designers within the church. Church members discussed the issue last June at the church’s annual meeting and voted to take the stand supporting marriage equality for gays, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender people.
http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2012/12/unitarian_church_in_summit_unv.html
Sussex County – Stop the Waiver
The Green Sanctuary Committee of the UU Fellowship of Sussex County sent a letter to Senate President Sweeney advocating for the passage of SCR59 to stop the NJ Department of Environmental Protection waiver rule, saying, “This DEP waiver rule goes well beyond legislative intent and would actually break the law. The citizens of New Jersey are counting on our lawmakers to protect our clean air and water.” Three members attended a public hearing in Hardyston Twp. on December 3 and read the letter at the microphone. A number of other northwest NJ environmental groups also sent representatives who made statements. The Waiver Rule establishes circumstances under which DEP may waive compliance with certain Department rules.
Monmouth County Responds to Hurricane Sandy
The UU Congregation of Monmouth County (Lincroft NJ) responded to Hurricane Sandy through the efforts of the congregation’s minister, the Rev. Virginia Jarocha-Ernst, and the congregation’s “caring neighborhoods.” Writes Rich Held, congregation president, “Two things we know for sure: the UUCMC is a caring community, and our support of the recovery from Sandy has just begun.” http://uumetrony.org/metronyminute/dec12/Lincroft.pdf
Skylands – Hurricane Relief
Disasters have a way of bringing out the best in people, and it’s really quite amazing what a difference just a few people can make. In only one and a half weeks’ time, two members of the Skylands Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and a group of committed volunteers organized and staged a benefit concert for Hurricane Sandy relief. “Sky to Shore,” held Thanksgiving weekend at Skylands UU Fellowship, netted more than $2,000 in cash and carloads of personal care items for people at the Jersey Shore struggling to put their lives back together. http://www.examiner.com/article/benefit-concert-at-skylands-uu-raises-more-than-2-000-for-hurricane-relief?CID=examiner_alerts_article
[This article was written by Michael Dalzell, a member of the UU Church at Washington Crossing, part of an ongoing series for examiner.com. See Mike’s past articles and subscribe at http://www.examiner.com/unitarian-universalism-in-newark/michael-dalzell.]BUURG – Hurricane Relief
The Bergen UU Relief Group (BUURG), formed by congregations in Englewood NJ, Paramus NJ, and Ridgewood NJ, held a highly successful benefit concert on December 1 to raise funds for three local non-profits providing relief for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Eight bands and performers donated their talents for free, and all production costs, food, beverages, and artists’ CDs were fully donated as well. Nearly $9,000 was collected. BUURG continues to organize volunteers in the field providing storm relief. Read more about BUURG . http://uumetrony.org/metronyminute/dec12/BUURG.pdf
Plainfield Raises Funds for Hurricane Relief
The First Unitarian Society of Plainfield raised $1156 in their collection on November 11th, for hurricane relief. The Board of Trustees voted to give this money to the CERG UU Disaster Relief Fund.
Ocean County – Hurricane Sandy
UULMNJ Vice President, Gail Marsh Saxer (Ocean County) forwarded the following link, saying, “These photos will give you a better perspective on the damage Sandy wrecked upon our barriers islands–in this case Ortley Beach.” http://tomsriver.patch.com/articles/long-road-ahead-for-ortley-beach
Choose Compassionate Consumption
From the UUSC – Choosing Compassionate Consumption
During the holiday season, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee encourages us to shop with our values in mind. UUSC’s online store offers ethically sourced gifts that you can feel good about buying; they offer fair-trade and sweatshop-free items, and net proceeds benefit their human rights work. www.uusc.org
Affordable Housing Action Alert – Nov. 28
Fighting Poverty With Faith Building Opportunity Through Affordable Housing for All
Call to action
Wednesday, November 28, 2012 10:30 am – 12:30 pm
NJ State House Annex, Committee Room 4
155 West State Street, Trenton NJ
For millions of Americans, safe and decent housing is unaffordable and unavailable. The faith community cannot stand idly by as too many of our neighbors are forced to make impossible choices among necessities such as food, rent, and medicine. We recognize the importance of decent shelter as a core necessity to overcoming poverty and will educate our communities about this issue and work to increase the supply of, and expand access to, housing for low income families and individuals. We can make a difference by speaking out collectively as representatives of New Jersey’s Multifaith Community
We take up the call of our religious traditions to bring focus and attention to the need for housing that is affordable in our communities.
Conveners: NJ State Assoc. of Jewish Federations, NJ Catholic Conference, Lutheran Office of Governmental Ministry NJ.
UULMNJ is a co-sponsor of this call to action.
Post a flyer in your congregation.
Come to Trenton!
Check with your liaison or contact director@uulmnj.org for more info.