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Newsletter OSLC Faith & Justice

Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush President and CEO, Interfaith Alliance:  “Observing this (9-11) anniversary requires more than remembrance, it demands action. As anti-Muslim rhetoric and bigotry continue to rise, we invite you to join faith leaders across the country in standing up against hate. Please take a moment today to add your name to the faith leaders’ statement on anti-Muslim hatred, organized by the Shoulder to Shoulder Campaign.Together, by rejecting hate and showing up for all of our neighbors, we can help heal our communities and protect our democracy.”

EVENTS THIS WEEK AND NEXT: (9-13 thru 9-26)

  • Sunday, September 13, 2-5 pm: CORRN Rapid Response Training. Registration is limited to 30 people. Register HERE for more information.
  • Tuesday, September 15, 6 pm: “Indian 101” class taught by ELCA Director of Ecumenical and Tribal Relations, Vance Blackfox. A time to learn some of the basics and to cultivate a foundation for standing in solidarity with Indian people across the U.S., as we all work together to dismantle longstanding systems of oppression. Click HERE to register and get the Zoom link.
  • Thursday, September 17, 6:30 pm at Harmony Library East Room: Can the President Do That? on Constitution Day join FRCC faculty Jeff Borg to learn about historical and present-day checks and balances. Register HERE
  • Saturday, September 19
    • 10-11:30 am Postcard Party at OSLC in the Fellowship Hall, sponsored by The League of Women Voters of Larimer County with Beth DeHaven as your hostess! Write a get-out-the-vote message to our young registered voters who voted in 2022 but did NOT vote in 2024. Turnout this year is key to saving our democracy!  RSVP HERE
    • 1-5 pm: 2026 Northern Colorado Climate Meet-Up Edora Park, FC. Come meet your local climate orgs. and activists; find out more about the climate crisis and how you can help!  RSVP HERE  
  • Sunday, September 20, 11 am: Creation Care Lunch & Learn with Faith & Justice Team, following “Wilderness Sunday” worship services on the 19th & 20th with learning, prayer and advocacy stations for all ages. Plan now to join us! More information in enews. RSVP to Melanie Reed: freierreed@msn.com for Lunch & Learn.
  • Wednesday, September 23, 5-7:30 pm Understanding the 2026 Election: Insights From Your County Clerks at the Longmont Museum Auditorium, Panel Discussion by Larimer, Weld, and Boulder County election officials at 6:00 pm, Atrium Reception at 5:00 pm, 400 Quail Rd. Longmont, CO. Register and more info HERE. Carpools are being organized. Contact Beth if you want a ride!

 FUTURE EVENTS:  (save the date)     

  • Sunday, September 27:
    • 11:30 am at Heartside Hill Community Building, 6514 Brittany St, FC: Three Issues on Colorado’s Ballot: see attached flyer Register HERE
    • 1-3 pm at First Presbyterian Church: Communities United Against Amendment 81. Presented by a local coalition, including CWS, ISAAC, Together Colorado, and League of Women Voters. Register to attend HERE See attached flyer.
  • Sunday, October 4, 1:00 pm: CROP Hunger Walk at Westminster Presbyterian Church. Maggie and our OSLC youth are leading our team! Donate to the Team or Sign Up to Walk
  • Monday, October 5, 6:30-8 pm: Voting Confidently in Larimer County: A Conversation with Clerk & Recorder Tina Harris at Foothills UU. Register HERE. See attached flyer. Presented by Together Colorado, League of Women Voters, and Interfaith Council.
  • Wednesday, October 6, 6:00 pm: How to Talk to Your Kids about Lockdown Drills. If you or your child is nervous or ambivalent about lockdown drills, hear advice from a pediatric mental health professional and learn how to best support your children through these tricky drills. Held in Old Town; location will be released 24 hours in advance of the event to those who RSVP HERE Sponsored by Fort Collins Moms Demand Action.
  • Monday, October 12, 5:30-8 pm: Detention Navigation and Accompaniment Training. Learn more about providing practical family support and resource navigation after an ICE arrest. Register HERE
  • Saturday, October 17:   No Kings: Vote Early. With our democracy at stake, we’re showing up again to encourage unprecedented voter participation in the midterms. Previous No Kings mobilizations have already shown the strength and scale of our movement. October 17 is about translating that protest power into a massive wave of voter turnout. Stay tuned for local events!
  • Sunday, November 8, 2-3 pm: Fort Collins Reads hosts Omar El Akkad, author of One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. at the Hilton in Fort Collins. Buy a ticket for the event here and purchase his book from Old Firehouse Books with a 20% discount here. Pastor Leta notes that she bought a ticket and plans to go. She is also offering to hold a discussion before or after if there is interest. Stay tuned!

ADVOCACY ACTION:

  • CWS Action Alert: Last month, a boy named Diego was forced to represent himself in immigration court. “I don’t know how to do it,” he explained, referring to an asylum application that must be filled out in English. The judge told him, “I can’t help you.” Click here to easily contact your elected officials and urge them to uphold children’s rights, promote their wellbeing, and conduct oversight of aggressive immigration enforcement.

WORTH SHARING:

  • Ballot Pick Up Option: see attached info about how to do this starting September 21. In case you are out of town in October or want to avoid USPS! (thanks to Ann Seitzinger for sharing!)
  • From Colorado Faith Communities United Against Gun Violence (CFCU): “September is Suicide Prevention Month. The majority of gun deaths are suicides. In Colorado in 2024: 961 Gun Deaths; 712 were suicides. (Based on available finalized 2024 data from the Centers for Disease Control). 
  • No on 81 Website for more information about why this CO constitutional amendment is a bad idea!
  • September 30th is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation in Canada, a national day of remembrance for the victims of the Canadian Indian residential school system. Read more about this day and the story behind Orange Shirt Day  (Thanks to Peter Jacobs for sharing)

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