This Week in Social Action Ministry

The Social Action Ministry (SAM) at First Parish comes from our Unitarian Universalist faith based on the values of love, justice, community and responsibility. We do this within the supportive environment of our broader church community and the mission of First Parish “…to act on our values to serve the larger community and create a more just and loving world.”

Social Action Committee Meeting – Sunday, March 19th, 12:00pm, Parker Hall

Amnesty International Meeting – Sunday, March 19th, 1:00pm, Common Room

 

Criminal Justice

REMINDER: The Politics of Justice: Comprehensive Criminal Justice Reform in Massachusetts

First Parish UU of Arlington. Saturday, March 25: 12:45 to 5 pm.

Hear from Senator Brownsberger, Middlesex DA Marion Ryan, Sen. Donnelly, Cassandra Bensahih of EPOCA and Jobs not Jails, and Rahsaan Hall of ACLU-MA’s Racial Justice Program. Find out what important changes are planned for this year; discuss with panelists and learn about action opportunities.

Email to register: end-mass-incarceration@firstparish.info

 

Political Activism

Healthcare in Congress

The replacement for the Affordable Healthcare Act has been reported out of two committees in the House; it is called the American Health Care Act (AHCA). The AHCA  treats healthcare as a marketplace that is shaped for profit-making, provides tax cuts for high-income earners, cuts assistance to the states, and removes critical Medicaid support that currently makes healthcare affordable for low-income people. The sponsors in the House want to fast-track the AHCA in order to avoid Congressional Budget Office cost analysis if possible, and then pass it to the Senate where they hope to limit debate. They want to get this bill passed before the April Congressional recess.

Heard enough? To learn more about the impact of the proposed changes, listen to this recording from experts at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Families USA, and Planned Parenthood Action. If you want to make your voice heard on this and other issues, go to your local Minuteman Indivisible Lexington website, click on the Join our Team button, and provide your contact information and indicate where you would like to put your effort. If you’ve signed up but not filled out the survey, please click on the Join button and update your preferences. Contact Pete Tasker for more information.