Unitarian Universalist FaithAction NJ
A UU voice for justice, equity and compassion in NJ
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Governor Phil Murphy signed a package of common-sense gun safety bills that make New Jersey among the states with the strongest and most stringent gun laws in the country. Annually, more than 2,000 shootings occur in New Jersey, resulting in approximately 500 deaths each year.
UU FaithAction NJ was one of the loudest and most persistent proponents for the passage of these bills. Executive Director Rev. Rob Gregson, UUFANJ Board president, Nick Lewis, GVP Task Force chair Jeannine Coyne, as well as Rev. Karen Johnston and Kathy Allen Roth, testified before the legislature.
The package of bills signed by Governor Murphy are listed below. You can log-into the provided link for a more in-depth detail of each bill.
The Bills: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/bills/BillView.asp
A.1181/S.160 Mental Health Professional Warning- Firearm seizure
A.1217/S.2259 ERPO of 2018 (amended)
A.2759/S.2245 Prohibit use of armor piercing ammunition
A.2757/S.2374 Private gun sales – require background check
A.2758/S.2376 Justification for need to carry – conceal carry of handguns
A.2761/S.102 Reduce Ammunition magazines from 15 to 10 bullets (amended)
A.3129/S.2465 Restrict production of untraceable firearms
Thanks to everyone who attended the 7th annual UU FaithAction NJ Plenary on April 21st! For those who missed out–not to worry, we have pictures and all the pertinent information passed out to attendees.
UU Faith Action NJ opposes Senate bill S-877, allowing PSEG to increase its rates in order to maintain the profitability of two nuclear plants. We have objected to the process, which excludes the Division of Rate Counsel from being involved in considering the necessity of the rate hike, and also to the willy-nilly addition of several environmental bills without adequate consideration of their provisions. The bill was scheduled for consideration on Monday, February 26, but was postponed. Here is a news story about it:
Nuclear Subsidy Bill Stalls in Senate
Please call your legislator to oppose this very bad bill.
Executive Director
Email: execdir@uufaithaction.org
he/they
Charles Loflin, as Executive Director, serves as our organization’s principle link with congregations, volunteers, coalition partners and legislators in his capacity as policy director, chief administrator and advisor to the Board.
Charles joined UU FaithAction NJ staff in 2020, and he stepped into the role of Executive Director in 2021. As a member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Montclair, he had participated in events and actions since the “Unitarian Universalist Legislative Ministry of New Jersey” days.
Charles received his Master of Divinity from Meadville Lombard Theological Seminary in 2021. He served as ministerial intern at the Morristown UU Fellowship 2020-2021. In addition to his experience in ministry, Charles brings to UU FaithAction NJ many years of technical experience as a developer of web applications and social media integrations. With all the tools of technology, covenant and grace, Charles is leading us in the Zoom age to come together as a faith movement in New Jersey to voice our values.
Executive Consultant
Email: rob@uufaithaction.org
he/him
Rev. Rob Gregson currently serves UU FaithAction NJ as Executive Consultant. Rev. Gregson previously served as the organization’s third Executive Director.
Prior to UU FaithAction, Rev. Gregson co-founded and directed SimpleGifts: Unitarian Centre for Social Action out of the Mansford St. Unitarian Chapel in East London, United Kingdom. SimpleGifts served over 150+ children, parents, elders and recent immigrants each week at their innovative community center and also helped to create and run a national social justice training program for British Unitarian congregations.
From 2000-2007 Rev. Gregson served as the first settled minister to the rural parish of the First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County in Baptistown NJ. From 1999-2000 he served on a pilot program as the first full-time interfaith chaplain at the Boston Alzheimer’s Center. Prior to entering Divinity School, Rev. Gregson worked for 3 years in the early 1990s in the Dept. of Social Justice/Office of LGBT Concerns at the Unitarian Universalist Association in Boston MA.
A 1990 political science graduate of Amherst College, Rev. Rob Gregson received his Master of Divinity in 1999 from Harvard Divinity School.
Communications Director
Email: emily@uufaithaction.org
she/her
Emily Parker, our Communications Director, crafts communications, manages congregational outreach, and seeks to support members at the speed of trust.
Emily grew up in the old stone walls of First UU Fellowship of Hunterdon County. As a youth, she served on her Religious Education Committee, Sunday Services Committee and on the Metro District Youth Adult Council. She also worked as a counselor at Murray Grove summer camp for four seasons. Prior to UU FaithAction NJ, Emily served as Outreach Coordinator for the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona.
Emily holds a Master of Divinity with specialization in Public Theology from Wesley Theological Seminary. She holds a B.A. in Spanish/Hispanic Cultures from Juniata College. She presented her undergraduate research, “Beyond the Bridge: A Study of Unitarian Universalist Emerging Adults,” at the 2018 UUA General Assembly.
Administrator
Email: meera@uufaithaction.org
she/her
Meera Rao has worked in the nonprofit sector for the last 25 years. Her main areas of interest have been bridging inequalities for vulnerable and marginalized populations in poor communities through mission driven organizations focusing on education, health and access to opportunities.
She has a Master’s degree in English and was enrolled in a PhD program but got distracted by the arrival of her son, who now, thanks to poetic justice, is doing his own PhD in GeoPhysics. Meera is a Tannenbaum Fellow.
Before the pandemic she enjoyed walking and hiking, travel, museums, movies and conversations over a home cooked meal. After the pandemic she enjoys the same activities, just more fiercely and less frequently.
She grew up in India and has lived in New York and New Jersey for over 35 years.
Summer Intern
Email: liv@uufaithaction.org
she/her
Liv, a lifelong member of the First Universalist Church of Minneapolis, is deeply committed to serving communities and advocating for social justice. With a passion for education, political engagement, and religious studies, Liv has dedicated herself to empowering vulnerable and marginalized populations, particularly in underserved communities.
Currently pursuing majors in Education Studies and Religious Studies, along with a minor in Political Science at Macalester College, Liv is driven by a desire to bridge inequalities and create opportunities for all. Her extensive involvement with her church community, from serving as a Chalice Lighter to serving on the board of trustee for First Universalist church of Minneapolis, underscores her dedication to fostering inclusive communities and nurturing young minds.
In addition to her academic pursuits, Liv is actively engaged in national initiatives, serving as a member of the National Emerging Adult Taskforce (NEAT) with the Unitarian Universalist Association. Through her leadership roles and participation in conferences like the Regional Mid-America Conference and the Grounded and Resilient Organizers’ Workshop Conference (GROW), Liv is committed to amplifying marginalized voices and driving meaningful change.
In Liv’s free time she enjoys biking, baking and spending time with family in the garden. She looks forward to continuing her journey of service and advocacy, inspired by the principles of Unitarian Universalism and the supportive community that has shaped her upbringing.
Have you ever given thought to how *best* to prepare for taking part in public protest? Wondered what you could possibly do to help someone being harassed? Ever considered taking part in an act of civil disobedience?
Knowledge = Power. Come to find answers to these questions and more at our FREE two-part workshop on how to become a (better) social activist.
Date: Saturday, November 18th, 10:00 am-2:00 pm
Time: Part 1: 10 am–12 noon = Upstander Training
Part 2: 12:00 pm–2 pm = Protest and Civil Disobedience Training
Working Lunch (Bring your own lunch & snack to share!)
Place: Central Unitarian Church 156 Forest Avenue, Paramus, New Jersey 07652. Parking is available on site; please consider carpooling to save space and Go Green!
Register: Registration required – Please indicate which training(s) you will be attending. Space is limited to 60 participants per training so register now!
A two part training–come to both or choose the one that fits you best! (You will indicate your choices on registration)
Part 1 10-12: How to go from being a “bystander” to an UPSTANDER!
What do you do if you see hate-based harassment? Learn to better predict incidents *before* they happen; how to align with potential targets; de-escalation; safe escape, and much more.
Part 2: 12-2 (Working Lunch, see details above) Veteran activists and newly involved neighbors are invited to participate in an interactive training on how to be an effective and safe person of conscience in today’s political environment. Topics include: Safety, safety, safety!; Rules of engagement; Finding the types of actions that are right for you; All the what-ifs; and yes, How to get arrested. (Also, how NOT to get arrested!)
Hosted by UU FaithAction NJ, Central Unitarian Church in Paramus, Hudson Civic Action and American Friends Service Committee. Facilitated by Elena Waldman of Artemis Defense (www.artemisdefense.org) . Free will donations taken at the event.
Things every UU should know about reproductive justice
Two Things Every UU Should Know About Reproductive Justice
1. “Reproductive justice” has a broad agenda, and is different than “reproductive rights”.
The understanding of reproductive justice has evolved over time, and there is no universally accepted definition. However, all definitions recognize that the need for access to resources goes far beyond abortion alone. These four principles are accepted by many as representative:
Notably, reproductive justice is not simply a different phrase that is interchangeable with reproductive health or reproductive rights, and nor is it intended to replace these concepts. Instead, reproductive justice is a framework created by women of color that combines the fields of reproductive rights, social justice, and human rights. It is grounded in the particular experiences, values, priorities, and leadership of women of color.
2. Reproductive justice has a different approach.
It’s not enough to focus on reaching a set of end goals through any means possible. Instead, our approach must reflect the world we are trying to create. This includes:
Constantly talking about the impact our personal identities (including race, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, wealth, etc) have on our viewpoints and actions. In order to successfully change the culture, we must be open to growth and change ourselves.
Centering the marginalized. Changing structures of power means that leadership must come from the groups most affected by the denial of access to rights and resources, including women and people of color, people struggling to make ends meet, and young people.
Intersectionality. The work must be intersectional, which means engaging multiple identities and building coalitions rather than trying to keep people and issues confined in separate boxes. Changing structures of power requires that we view identities as linked and formulate solutions that are based on collaboration and solidarity.
For people who support reproductive justice and are not already familiar with the framework, it is sometimes challenging but always important to seek relationships of accountability and leadership with women of color and organizations they lead. This is critical because it helps to avoid misappropriation, where people are claiming to do reproductive justice work without knowing what it means and without being accountable to the experiences and leadership of women of color.
Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Responds to
the Oct. 1, 2017 Las Vegas Massacre
On 10/1/17, 58 people were killed and around 500 injured in the largest mass shooting in modern American history. This number was made possible with the aid of a bump stock device which effectively converts a semiautomatic weapon into an automatic one, similar to a machine gun. A former Iraq Vet concert goer later told NPR it was like the warfare he’d experienced in Iraq.
There have been multiple mass shootings since 26 children and educators were fatally shot at Sandy Hook Elementary in December 0f 2012. To date, Congress has failed to demonstrate the moral courage to enact a single piece of meaningful legislation to decrease gun violence in the US. The gun lobby spends tens of millions to support candidates who comply with their dictates. Sadly, Congress members have placed their own re-election above the public safety of their constituents. As American citizens, we have the power of our voices and votes to compel our elected representatives to act on our behalf. As Unitarians, we have a moral imperative to live our principles. As such, we need to support the inherent worth of every person and work towards a world that is safe, just and peaceful.
In 1991, NJ passed an Assault Weapons Ban into law. In 1994, Congress took NJ’s example and passed a National Ban on Assault Weapons. In 2004, Congress, under George W. Bush, allowed this law, which had a sunset clause, to expire. Assault weapons are designed for use in battle and have no place on our streets. It is time to reinstate the National Assault Weapons Ban.
Secondly, we need universal background checks. Ninety percent of Americans support this. Universal background checks would help us keep guns out of the hands of individuals who are dangerous to themselves or others. This includes those convicted of domestic abuse, felons and the seriously mentally unstable. It would stem the rate of gun fatalities by suicide, which represents more than 60% of the annual gun deaths.
With crisis comes opportunity. Make your voice heard by contacting your federal representatives in the House and Senate. Urge your representatives to reinstate the National Assault Weapons Ban and Universal Background Checks today.
Those interested in learning more can contact Jeannine Coyne, the UULM Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chair at jeanninemcoyne@outlook.com.
Jeannine M Coyne
Chair, UULM of NJ Gun Violence Prevention Task Force
Many UU congregations are hosting vigils to honor the victims of the mass shooting in Las Vegas, to advocate for stricter gun laws and to call into question an ongoing culture of violence in the United States.
Cherry Hill UUs held one earlier this week, and Montclair and Beacon (Summit) UUs will be holding their own vigils tonight and Friday. I hope UULMNJ supporters will turn out and continue to work through our Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to help break this vicious cycle of violence.
Registration is now OPEN for the Oct. 14 Fall Issues Conference–only 3 weeks away!
The Legislative Ministry’s Fall Issues Conference takes place on Saturday Oct. 14 from 12 noon until 6 p.m. Hosted this year by our member congregation, the UU Congregation of Monmouth County in Lincroft www.uucmc.org, the conference features a keynote speaker, issues-related break out groups and a working lunch. The Lincroft congregation is active in antiracism and immigration justice work and we are very pleased to partner together in support of a more just and hopeful New Jersey.
For those new to UULMNJ, the Fall Issues Conference is the premier opportunity for UUs from across the Garden State to learn, discuss, and become involved in the most pressing social justice concerns facing our state. It is the time each year when our six volunteer Task Forces (listed below) decide on their advocacy, education and legislative priorities for the coming year. We work on a collaborative model, so make sure to come help shape the UULMNJ agenda and the outcome of long-term policy and culture change in our home state.
We are very pleased to welcome our 2017 keynote speaker, Johanna Calle. Johanna is Program Director of our partner organization, the NJ Alliance for Immigrant Justice, one of the most effective and vocal immigrant rights groups active in the state today www.njimmigrantjustice.org.
Ms. Calle will be joined by Rita Dentino, Executive Director of the Monmouth County immigrant rights organization, Casa Freehold www.casafreehold.org and a partner with the UU Congregation of Monmouth County. Johanna and Rita will bring us up to date on the increasingly punitive Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detentions and deportations and what we can do to mitigate harm and call out for justice on the public stage. Johanna and Rita expect to be joined by a NJ undocumented resident or family member willing to speak out about current conditions in our state.
Ted Fetter, long time Immigration Reform Task Force chair, will give an update on our State Sanctuary Challenge initiative–our 6 month-long effort to involve all 21 UULMNJ member congregations in advocating for sensible and human immigration reform locally, and against the mass criminalization of undocumented people.
Additional speakers during the break-out groups include Lena Smith from Food and Water Watch, Dr. Dione Johnson, CEO of JARC: Juvenile and Adult Re-Entry Connections, and Andrea Long, long-time reproductive rights activist and clinic escort.
As if that were not enough, there will be six break out groups during the working lunch to cover the issues we advocate for in Trenton and our member congregations: Environmental, Criminal, Reproductive, Economic and Immigrant Justice and Gun Violence Prevention.
Come also for the official launch of the NEW NAME, mission and vision statements, and special presentation of the logo and website design. Thanks to a generous donation, we are retooling to better serve justice-making, congregational liveliness, and “soul growth” in 2018 and beyond.
Finally, we sure to add your name and concerns/hopes/dreams to an interactive art installation, “Wall of Anger/Wall of Hope” over the course of the conference.
Questions/concerns? Please email the UULMNJ office at admin@uulmnj.org. We will make every effort to accommodate accessibility/special needs but it is very, very helpful to know in advance, so please do reach out.
Be sure to join us, 12 to 6 p.m. for a day devoted to justice-making and spirit-reviving. See you there!
We will make every effort to accommodate accessibility/special needs but it is very, very helpful to know in advance, so please do reach out.
Be sure to join us, 12 to 6 p.m. for a day devoted to justice-making and spirit-reviving. See you there!
