Reproductive Justice Fall 2013 Program at MLUC

Hosted by

Main Line Unitarian Church (MLUC)

816 South Valley Forge Rd

Devon PA 19333

MLUC.org

CHOOSE JUSTICE

Many people have no choices in these most basic of human rights:

-        To have or not have children.

-        To raise their family in a safe and healthy environment

-        To express their sexuality without fear of oppression

REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE (RJ) addresses these inequities, believing these rights should not be determined by your race, gender, income or sexuality. Our mission is to work towards REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FOR ALL.        

SAVE THESE DATES AND JOIN US FOR OUR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE FALL PROGRAM

• OCTOBER 12 - 6:30-8:30: Kickoff Event – “Moving From Choice To Justice”  DISCUSSION AND DESSERT with Rev. Rob Keithan- Director of Public Policy, Religious Coalition for    Reproductive Choice; and Jessica Halperin- UUA Witness Ministries Program Associate. Learn from two UU leaders in the RJ movement about how reproductive justice is an integral part to all our social justice work and is a natural fit for people of faith.

PLEASE RSVP FOR THIS EVENT by October 10:  Sally Riddle  sar@riddle.net

• OCTOBER 13 - 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM Services:  Rev Rob Keithan will be providing  the sermon titled: "Sex, Religion, Abortion and Justice".
• OCTOBER 13 - 1:00-3:30: Session 1  - “What Is Reproductive Justice”

       Led by Jessica Halperin, Rob Keithan and Sam Wilson (introduced by Judy Wilson):

We will look at the history of Unitarian Universalism and Reproductive Justice, as well as articulate contrasting frameworks of reproductive “health,” “rights,” “choice,” and “justice.”  Jess Halperin developed this curriculum (www.uua.org ) and we are fortunate to have her help us launch it.  Lunch will be provided.

• OCTOBER 20 - 5:30-8:00: Session 2 - “T’ain’t Nobody’s Bizness If I Do”

Led by Sam Wilson and Gail Burgess

We will theologically and politically link healthy sexuality with the reproductive justice movement and gain an understanding of gendered/sexist aspects of current political dialogue on reproductive justice issues. We will also link reproductive oppression to other forms of oppression and analyze the intersection of reproductive justice with economic justice, immigration justice, and LGBTQ equality. Although youth are allowed to attend all sessions, this session has been modified to be especially “youth-friendly,” so we invite our high school youth to join us for this special session!

• OCTOBER 27 - 5:30-8:00: Session 3 - “Reverence for Life, With Choices”

Led by Sara Kinder and David Blumer

We will engage with various religious perspectives on life, pregnancy, and each perspective’s claim to modern religious persecution while reflecting on sources of UU and personal theologies of reference for life. We will also explore tools and tips for having constructive conversations about abortion.

• NOVEMBER 10 - 12:30-2:00:  Panel of Professionals - “How To Become An Effective Advocate For Reproductive Justice”   Lunch will be provided.
• NOVEMBER 17 - 5:30 -8:00: Session 4 - “Moving Forward – Putting Our Faith Into Action” Led by Judy Wilson and Susan Tachau

We will identify goals, methods and strategies for reproductive justice advocacy including working with interfaith groups and partners in the community.

Questions?  

Regarding MLUC’s Reproductive Justice Social Action Committee: Laura Wright - laclaire309@verizon.net

Regarding Fall 2013 Reproductive Justice Curriculum:  Sam Wilson - srw2108@gmail.com

RSVP for October 12 Kick-off event:  Sally Riddle – sar@riddle.net