Desert Notes February 6, 2025
Many of you have been asking about ways to respond to things happening in our state and country. If you’d like to help organize a VUU rapid response team that can assess actions and share information with the rest of the congregation, contact me at minister@vuu.org. (Use “rapid response” in the subject line, please.) This could look like organizing a group to head to a city council meeting, or a protest site, or sending responses to state legislation. Please set yourselves up through Request to Speak via this link: Civic Engagement Beyond Voting. This is a way to respond to bills (like the awful anti trans bills that keep coming up!) A rapid response team could get the word out and organize responses. They could also research events happening to share important information with everyone. I recommend setting up accounts in Signal (for now, there may be other places we use to communicate in the future). This will allow us to share sensitive information in a more secure (nothing is perfect) space. We can also invite each other to area trainings and planning sessions as they are shared with us. Here is some other information on digital security. On this note, staff could use some help from a tech savvy person in updating and assessing these needs for our computers. Especially me…let me know if you are up for helping us in this way.
On that note, I was able to join a large group of mostly Mexican immigrants (some from Central America, also) in a demonstration protest near downtown Chandler this week. A simultaneous protest was taking place in Phoenix. There were so many young people and families there. Their largest sign said “Don’t Bite the Hands That Feed You.” It was a joyful gathering–music, and cheering, flags, and many cars driving by and honking. In the face of stark political realities, our communities are responding with vigor and a deep sense of connection and power. Many “Know Your Rights” workshops are being held all over the country, discretely shared in ways that evade public scrutiny but insure the folks that need the information are getting it. I am attending a workshop developed by Corazon AZ, Valley Interfaith Project, Pima County Interfaith, Northern Arizona Interfaith, and Arizona Faith Network designed for faith leaders and congregational leaders to support our organizations in engaging in the work of advocating, organizing and supporting immigrants in our community. Some of our immigration action team will also be attending.
We are in this together. One of my favorite podcasts and places for reflection and learning is End of the World Show which features adrienne maree brown and sister Autumn Brown. I’ve also enjoyed Stories of Rebuilding which features Deepa Iyer and Adaku Utah from SolidarityIs. What are you reading, listening to, or watching that is helping you learn, grow, stay grounded and prepare to respond?
—Rev. Sarah