What are we doing?
Opening and Affirming Celebration
The JLA Team has been thinking about and starting to plan our Open and Affirming
25th Anniversary celebration. We are having a Brainstorming Potluck on Wednesday, July 2, and would love to have your input.
The anniversary celebration will be either September 14 or 28. Please let either Debbie (debbiecl@aol.com) or Heather Gonzalez (hgcolibri@gmail.com) know if you would like to join the Brainstorming Potluck on July 2 and help us plan for this special event.
Immigration
The Team is also very concerned about the legitimate fear being experienced by our newest residents. In an article below, you will find information on LUCE with a phone number you can call if you see any suspicious activity related to ICE apprehensions. CASA has organized weekly food distributions for those afraid to actually come in to get the food. If you would like to help with this food delivery, please email Heather (hgcolibri@gmail.com).
Climate Hope Affiliates and Environmental Justice Team
Fran and Heather will be attending the Annual UCC Meeting in Kansas City in July. Fran will be manning a table for Climate Hope, an initiative of the UCC in which Edwards Church is participating. She will create and distribute a book supporting climate change initiatives through children’s drawings.
The Environmental Justice Team will be disbanding and will concentrate on the Climate Hope Affiliates initiative. The Team has led our congregation through several goal levels created by the National UCC church. They have accomplished a great deal to increase awareness of our congregation about how to mitigate climate change. Some of these include composting, solar panels, laundry lines, plastics, and plant-based eating.
Upcoming Events
Below are some upcoming events that we would like to bring to your attention:
- July 10-16 – UCC Synod meeting
- July 16 – Participation in the Framingham State University fresh produce program for students who stay through the summer at the FSU campus because they have nowhere else to go.
- July 20 – Summer Service Project: Outdoor service and helping Framingham Community Farm pull garlic and carrots.
- July 20 – SNEUCC WooSox Game – all invited – $35 per ticket – see Announcements.
- August 3 – Church Picnic at Deb Roy’s Home
- August 24 & 25 – Backpack collection and trip to fill backpacks
Special Offering
Another way to help if you are able is through our monthly special offerings. Each month the JLA Team discusses various options for these offerings and chooses one to highlight. Our choice is based on special events happening during that month and / or due to pressing needs brought on by natural disasters and other catastrophic events.
If you have any questions about any of the events listed or have suggestions of other ways our congregation can help support our community and beyond, please let a member of the Team know. Our next meeting is on July 2 at 5:30 pm at the home of Ronda Yeomans. Anyone who would like to attend is very welcome.
Action Alert Emails
From time to time, there are events in our community, state, or nation that JLA feels the congregation might like to know about. Mary Memmott graciously offered to set up an email list and track these events. They could range from events like the Women’s March in Washington, D.C., and local stand outs for causes we support to writing letters to our representatives requesting support for a specific bill and attending important city council meetings. If you would like to be included in this email list, please email Mary (memmottm@gmail.com) –
she will be happy to add you.
LUCE Defense Hotline – Immigrant Justice Network of Massachusetts
Think you see ICE in your area? CALL: 617-370-5023 – Operating 5 am – 9 pm every day in multiple languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Haitian Creole, and more to be added!
Call:
- If you suspect ICE or DHS, FBI, federal agents, or unidentified suspicious activity in your community.
- If you see people dressed like civilians parked for prolonged hours in a residential area, with tinted windows, making traffic stops in a neighborhood.
- If you want to connect with people in your community who are taking action to keep each other safe.
- Whether you witnessed the situation yourself or you were told by someone else.
Information to Report:
- The exact time and location of the situation you witnessed.
- A detailed description of the events, including vehicle makes & models, and photo / videos if available.
When you contact the hotline, you will speak or text with a trained volunteer operator who will ask you for details of the suspected activity. Then, the operator will dispatch trained volunteers in your community who will attempt to verify the situation.
Respectfully,
Your JLA Team (Heather Gonzalez, Fran Bogle, Debbie Clark, Noah Cichowlas, Grace Gamez, Peggy Harrison, and Ronda Yeomans)