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Newsletter OSLC Faith & Justice

11335

Another week full of opportunities to engage. If you choose one, please share any learnings or links that could be helpful for others. The Faith & Justice Team is always open to organizing church-wide educational or advocacy efforts. We need your ideas!

EVENTS THIS WEEK AND NEXT:

  • TODAY Sunday, May 3, 2-5 pm: Non-Violence/De-Escalation Training at Foothills Unitarian Church. De-escalation is simply a method for acting as our most intelligent selves in tense situations; recognizing our own triggers and recognizing and assisting when those around us are triggered. If you missed the training on March 8, this is another opportunity. Registration Form from ISAAC is required to attend.
  • Monday, May 4, 5:30-8 pm: Train the Trainer-Safe Neighbor 101, presented by ISAAC. Help create or strengthen community cohesion, belonging, and security in your school, neighborhood, or other community group. It is a starting point for taking care of each other and organizing together around work that supports democracy, builds power, and resists authoritarian movements through non-violent collective action. Even if you aren’t sure what this will look like yet for supporting your community, come and learn the tools you need to begin planning. Register HERE to receive the training location.
  • Wednesday, May 6, 1:15-2:15 pm: at the Lincoln Center Columbine Room, Service & Conflict for Peace: Providing Care to Those Under Attack, presented by Sustainable Peacebuilding Fellowships at the Rotary Club of Fort Collins. This month’s guests are Tony and Natalie Sundermeier who have a unique perspective on the war in Ukraine.  Tony and Natalie ran a humanitarian aid warehouse, in Romania on the border with Ukraine, which shipped over $150M in aid, after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February of 2022. Tony and Natalie will share of bit of their story, a look at the history and progression of the 2022-2026 war, and facilitate a discussion about the conditions and outlook for peace in the future.   
  • Saturday, May 9, 5-8:30 pm – “Un-Gala” Annual Fundraiser for Homeward Alliance at CSU Lory Center. Info and Tickets 
  • Tuesday, May 12, 6:30-8 pm – Faith250: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? at Fort Collins Museum of Discovery, 408 Mason Court, Fort Collins. Click HERE to read the text and discussion questions. REGISTER HERE
  • Wednesday, May 13, 11 am:  Sojourners Webinar: Practical Strategies for People of Faith How Faith Communities Can help safeguard democratic values, bridge divides, and counter authoritarian trends, with Dr. Maria J. Stephan, a leading political scientist and globally recognized expert on nonviolent civil resistance and pro-democracy movements. 

FUTURE EVENTS:  (mark your calendars)

  • Sunday, May 17
    • 9:40-10:20 am: OSLC Faith & Justice Forum: Path to Citizenship: History and Reality for Immigrants with immigration attorney Jodi Ziesemer and ISAAC Director Arpi Miller in the East Meeting Room immediately after 8:30 worship.
    • 3-4:30 pm: End of Session Local Legislator Town Hall at Old Town Library. Hear all about what happened over the 2026 legislative session at the state Capitol.
  • Tuesday, May 19, 5:30-7 pm – Ready, Set, VOTE, and the Life of Your Ballot, a joint presentation by The League of Women Voters of Larimer County, Tina Harris, Larimer County Clerk & Recorder and Michele Mihulka, Elections Director, Larimer County Administrative Services Building, 1st floor, 200 W. Oak Street, Fort Collins. Free and open to the public. Register to Attend
  • Saturday, May 30, 5:30-8 pm – Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness, free screening and conversation, St. John the Evangelist Church, Loveland. See attached flyer for more information and register at THIS LINK

ADVOCACY ACTION:

  • From Indivisible: After the SOTUS ruling this week gutting the Voting Rights Act, we are fighting back. Mark your calendar for July 17-19. Pledge: Good Trouble Lives On Weekend
  • Interested in protecting our election security? Apply to be a Larimer County election judge: HERE

WORTH SHARING:

  • RAFT for America (Reuniting America by Fostering Trust) is a national movement that brings people together from different backgrounds through whitewater rafting to build trust, connection, and understanding. There is a trip scheduled on the Arkansas River in Colorado on July 18. link for information and to apply (recommended by Pat Friehauf-thanks!)
  • The Preamble Substack (Sharon McMahon): Durable Hope  The commencement address that Sharon  was prevented from sharing. So moving…words we ALL need to hear right now, whether we are graduating this year or graduated MANY years ago!
  • Enjoy: Dancing Todd Supports Immigrants

Let us  not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Galatians 6:9