From the Director
I recently started reading Solidarity: The past present and future of a world-changing idea. I am feeling called to much more and deeper solidarity in these moments. As the authors state, “…we understand solidarity as the recognition of our inherent interconnectedness, an attempt to build bonds of commonality across our differences. Intertwined, however, does not mean indistinguishable — solidarity depends on difference, on recognizing that we are not all alike but that we can still come together and take collective action. [Solidarity] is not unity or sameness, but a way of connecting with others: forging new communities,developing shared visions, and building power…” There are intentional efforts from our federal administration, from our state legislature, and from multiple other sources to divide us. It can be easy to succumb to these efforts especially when we are feeling so overwhelmed by all the threats that we’re experiencing. Personally, I am also, as some of you know, facing significant family and personal issues that invite me (if I’m not careful) to withdraw and shut down. It all feels really heavy and insurmountable.
I am reminded in these moments that being in movement work is in a lot of ways similar to singing in a choir.None of us can hold a musical note forever — but a choir can. When I’m in a choir, I am not only giving mysrlf fully to singing my part, and I am paying attention to the other tenors around me so that I don’t inhale at the same moments they do. All of us inhale, but as the tenor section, we act in solidarity to make sure that the song continues.
In our work for justice, we need to be in relationship, to care for, in solidarity with each other! Particularly centering with our care, concern and efforts those of us who are most impacted. I am grateful to be in this with you all.
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What’s Happening at the Justice Center
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The Justice Center continues to have a lot going on — with more that we are planning.
“Let’s Celebrate Democracy” is in early November. This is a prelude to a larger “Democracy Festival” that we and our organizational partners are planning for the spring.
We have been invited by Center for Interfaith Relations to help launch and facilitate a new interfaith network. This network is meeting monthly and is intended to provide a space for clergy and other faith leaders to come to be supported and “filled up.”
We have just started planning a “justice film festival” for January or February, with a series of films and discussions (and hot chocolate) on various justice issues. I can’t wait to share more details with you about this opporutnity as they emerge.
We are searching for funding to support our efforts to help organize and mobilize the faith community in support of the Home for Good Initiative — an evidence based initiative to eliminate homelessness in Metro Louisville by providing needed care, resources and services to our unhoused neighbors. Internally, the Justice Center will be working to help our congregation discern how we show up (at events, porgrams, demonstrations. rallies, etc) in ways that: a) build community and b) are meaningfully in solidairty with those folx or communities who are most impacted.
Also this spring, we will begin offering “skill ups”. The Program Board of the Justice Center recognizes that at the congregational level, we have a lot of workshops, book studies and other offerings that are meant to increase knowledge, awareness or understanding. The mission of the Justice Center calls us (the JC) to focus more on skills than knowledge or understanding. As such, the “skill ups” will offer short (75 minute ish) sessions on various skills we all need to make social change. If any of you have skills that you would be willing to train others on, please let Rus know at justicecente@allpeoplesuu.comThe Justice Center also continues to pay attention to the needs of our community and strives to be able to respond in meaningful ways to these emerging needs. You play a critical role in helping us to stay aware of what we may need to be prepared to respond to.
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Justice Center Upcoming Events
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Join the Justice Center for this inspring conversation about what a more robust and expansive democracy could look like!
Co-sponsored by Metro United Way, the League of Women Voters, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, Louisville Urban League, the New Americans Institute, and Kenctickians for Democracy.
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2025 Festival of Faiths
The Justice Center has been invited to facilitate two sessions as a part of this year’s Festival of Faiths. These facilitated covnersations are a pilot for this year’s festival, and are meant to provide an opportunity for participants to share responses to the panel discussions and explore ways that they can bring what they have leanred back to their communities. See more about the Festival of Faith here or below.
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Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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ACTIVE BYSTANDER TRAINING
Deprung Gomang Center for Compassion
Saturday, Nov 1, 2:30 – 4:30pm
411 N. Hubbards Ln
Join us for this hands-on training in which you will learn useful skills for recognizing then safely and nonviolently intervening when witnessing harmful or inappropriate behavior. Be empowered to act as an ally and to promote a nonviolent, caring, and more inclusive environment. Free. Registration Required.
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Shawnee Park Walking Tour
Saturday, Nov 8, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Listen Learn Act hosts a walking tour of historic Shawnee Park led by Denise Davis, where we’ll delve into the complex history of this park.In order to end racism, we must remember the ugly history from which it came — especially when these memories are trying to be erased from American history.
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KRM Skilled Neighbor Program
Become a “skilled neighbor” to support our area refugees and asylum seekers.
As you can imagine, area refugees and asylum seekers are feeling threatened and anxious. Kentucky Refugee Ministries is launching this program to provide support and connection. The skilled neighbor program provides people with the training and support to act as a “skilled neighbor” and provide meaningful, trauma informed support to these families. Participants are asked to make a two month commitment
For more information, Contact Joseph Caminiti at jcaminiti@kyrm.org
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Nonviolent Louisville
(catalyzed by Deprung Gomang Center for Engaging Compassion and a growing list of partners)
We are inviting groups of all kinds – agencies, faith communities, schools, businesses – and individuals to make an intentional commitment to learning and practicing nonviolence, in order to grow what Dr. King called “our Beloved Community”. Anyone can be part of Nonviolent Louisville. It isn’t “owned” by any group but is instead “leader-filled” and everyone can shape it to work in their situation.
Read more at NonviolentLouisville.org
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Help Stop the Data Centers
You all have no doubt heard about the plans for new large scale data centers in our area. Metro Council is seeking input from the community on these data centers and the changes to the zoning codes that will be required. You are invited to particate — you can learn more here: Data Center Public Meetings Flyer.pdf
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Show up at PSC on Nov 3
Join the Sierra Club at the Public Service Commission meeting in Frankfort at 9 AM for a “keep the rates low” rally. Contact Elisa Owen for more information
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