The Justice and Love in Action Team met on October 7.
It was reported that Open Mic Night – held on September 25 and sponsored by Open Spirit – was well attended and raised $1,000 for CASA.
Heather told us that she was hosting an event at her home in support of the Healthcare on Wheels initiative. This program raises money and collects donated bicycles for Cuban healthcare workers. Due to the US embargo on fuel, travel by car is nearly impossible. Bicycles are the only mode of transportation that healthcare workers can use to get to their patients. The Team made a $200 donation to this initiative.
Debbie talked about Framingham’s Annual Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration that was being held on the Edwards campus this year. The JLA team offered to help with food pickup, set up, greeting, and clean up.
The Special Offering for November will be 500 boxes of pasta for A Place to Turn. We will be partnering with UUAC in Sherborn who will also be donating 500 boxes to meet APTT’s need of 1,000 boxes per month.
Fran and Debbie attended the LGBT+ Asylum Task Force Gala on October 10 as representatives from Edwards Church.
Planning for the Veterans Day Dinner on November 8 was discussed. Several JLA Team members will be in attendance to volunteer with setup, making desserts, and greeting.
Safer Spaces’ Annual Fundraiser is being held on November 13. We will send $250 as a sponsor, and Debbie, Fran, Noah and possibly Martha, will attend.
Literacy Unlimited will have their 40th Anniversary event on November 19. We are a sponsor of this event, and our very own Lee Ann Friedman and Martha Coleman are very involved with the planning and implementation of this event. Many from our congregation will be in attendance. It will be publicized in our media output.
Our December special offering was discussed since Pathways has closed.
We may want to purchase gift cards for 30 CASA families whose breadwinners have been detained. We may ask Plymouth Church if they would also want to participate in this.
We discussed having a Cookie Walk to help raise money for the CASA gift cards. People will make cookies and, for a donation, anyone can fill a box with the cookies of their choice. This will be held after church.
We looked over last year’s end-of-year giving and started thinking about how to distribute the budgeted funds this year. As of right now, we have decided to donate $200 to Programs for People.
Climate Hope
This team is planning the interfaith climate conference (April 4, 2027). They are trying to broaden the circle of planners to include those most vulnerable to climate change – GEMS, GFCC, and the Wayland mosque.
We will discuss budget and financial model probably as sponsors at a later meeting.
JLA Team – Fran Bogle, Noah Cichowlas, Debbie Clark, Martha Coleman, Heather Gonzalez, Peggy Harrison, and Kelly Lopez