“The divine future breaks into the present with each thorny act of justice.” — Rev. Emilie Townes
Like laughter at a funeral, or wildflowers pushing through cracked pavement, outbreaks of celebration and justice-making continue amidst lament.
News and Alerts
NJ Legislature Passes the Freedom to Read Act!
Thank the NJ legislative sponsors/co-sponsors of the recently passed Freedom to Read Act and urge Gov. Murphy to sign this bill into law!
Both the NJ Assembly and NJ Senate have now passed the Freedom to Read Act (Bill A3446 ACS).
Take this opportuntity to express your gratitude to the bill sponsors and co-sponsors and send a message to Governor Murphy encouraging him to sign this bill into law.
Four Bills of “Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package” Advance
This Monday, October 28th, four bills in the Reproductive Freedom and Health Equity Bill Package, endorsed by our Thrive NJ coalition, were approved by the Senate Health, Human Services, and Senior Citizens Committee.
The Committee advanced four bills:
Where I look for hope…
“A vote is a kind of prayer for the kind of world we desire for ourselves and for our children, and I think our prayers are stronger when we pray together.” — Rev. Raphael Warnock
Next Tuesday is Election Day. It is a pivotal moment for our country, and a day that likely carries some combination of hope, anxiety, and grief for our country.
UU Monmouth County Sends 50 PAC Kits to Local Planned Parenthood
Congregants of the UU Congregation of Monmouth County, after months of collecting supplies, assembled 50 Post Abortion Care kits this past Sunday! The care kits will be donated to Planned Parenthood of Central New Jersey, in Shrewsbury.
Thank you to Judy Stevens and her team for coordinating this effort! Post Abortion Care Kits are a greatly-appreciated expression of our UU values of generosity and LOVE.
“The Case for a Second Look” New Video
“I want us all today, no matter what perspective you’re coming from… that we try to hold two things in the same space and at the same time: that people could have caused harm, at the same time that people are capable of redemption and rehabilitation beyond our imagination.“
— Jennifer Sellitti, New Jersey Public Defender
Watch and share this powerful new video from Second Look New Jersey, highlighting remarks made by NJ Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti at the Second Chance NJ Conference held on June 3, 2024 at Montclair State.
NEW Task Force Fact Sheets!
People are calling them “groundbreaking,” “a game changer,” “exactly what I need for my congregation!”
At our 2024 Fall Issues Conference this Saturday, we shared our NEW Task Force Fact Sheets, a one-pager on the work and mission of each of our task forces. Each fact sheet features:
“Framing the Future” Issues Conference | Zoom link, Handouts & More
All are welcome at our 2024 Issues Conference: “Framing the Future”! Our Fall Issues Conference is TODAY, Saturday, October 19th at the UU Congregation at Montclair and online.
Environmental, Climate Justice Groups Rally at Statehouse for Passage of Climate Superfund Act
Press release by Food & Water Watch
Video by NJ Spotlight News, presented by THIRTEEN PBS
September 30, 2024
This morning elected officials joined 75 concerned residents and grassroots groups from around the state to rally in support of the Climate Superfund Act, a bill before the state legislature that would make the largest fossil fuel corporations pay for the damages caused by climate change. The bill was introduced by Senators McKeon and Smith, and Assembly Members. Allen, Hall, and Collazos-Gill. The groups participating were part of EmpowerNJ, a coalition fighting fossil fuel projects throughout New Jersey and for a rapid and equitable transition to a renewable economy.
Virtual Press Conference: “State of Solitary” Report Launch
Virtual Press Conference
“State of Solitary” Report Launch
October 1st, 6 PM
Next Tuesday, October 1, our NJ Prison Justice Watch coalition will release our new report: “Isolated Voices: The State of Solitary in NJ 2024.”
Join us for this important press conference, and bring critical attention the ongoing affront to human rights in New Jersey prisons.