Posted By Scott Grey on September 2, 2010
ACLU of Texas Takes on State Board of Education Curriculum Controversy
Admission is free and open to the public.
When: Sept. 15, 7 p.m. Where: Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff 3839 W. Kiest Boulevard, Dallas TX 75233
…
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas Executive Director Terri Burke will address the State Board of Education’s recent abuse of its authority, including the efforts of some members to insert personal ideology into curriculum content. She will also discuss issues of importance to voters in the upcoming State Board elections in November; Q&A session to follow.
Burke will draw on information gathered in the ACLU of Texas report, “The Texas State Board of Education: A Case of Abuse of Power” issued last May.
This event is co-sponsored by the ACLU of Texas and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff. For further information or press inquiries contact Jan Brubaker at(214) 907-9812
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Category: Conversations, Events, Social Justice |
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Tags: Civil liberty, Events, Schoolbook controversy
Posted By Dee Stofko on September 1, 2010
Perhaps you have heard—more than 1,000 cases of salmonella caused by tainted eggs has been the latest failure of the FDA to keep our food supply safe. Over half a billion of these eggs came from two Iowa factory farms where hens live in cages so small they can barely move. These farms have had numerous violations in the past few years for sanitary reasons as well as for animal cruelty. In the past two years alone, the U.S. consumer has had food recalls involving beef, spinach, peanuts, lettuce, jalapeno peppers and tomatoes, just to name a few! Hopefully, all of these monumental failures will be an impetus for the FDA to make improvements where they need to be made or for lawmakers to pass legislation to ensure the safety of our food.
For many years, regulators have been attempting to put temporary band-aids on many of the problems in our food supply. In 2008, the government allowed spinach and iceberg lettuce producers to “irradiate” their products in order to kill the E. coli and salmonella lurking within them. There is some speculation that eggs will follow a similar path. Instead of forcing farmers to “clean up their act”, the FDA may allow eggs to be chemically-treated—a process that kills not only the culprits but much of the nutrition as well. These band-aids allow chickens to live and lay their eggs in the worst possible conditions while producing eggs that still meet government standards.
The best way for you, as a consumer, to protect yourselves against salmonella-laced eggs is to buy locally. Most local farms raise chickens in small quantities whereas commercial farms may house as many as 500,000 chickens. The more chickens and the closer the quarters, the greater the opportunity for disease. Also eggs from local farmers are fresher and more nutritious. When hens are allowed to roam and forage for insects, their eggs are richer in protein and their yolks are bright orange. Farmers’ Markets are an excellent way to buy local eggs. Meet the farmers and ask to see their operations. Make sure their hens are being treated humanely and fed an organic diet. Or check out the website of UUCOC members, Diane and Aaron Mitschke, and buy your eggs from them. Go to One World Farm for more information.
Category: Green Sanctuary and Environmental Activism, Your Green Tip |
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Tags: eggs, food and drink, Green Tip, one world farm
Posted By Scott Grey on August 26, 2010
Don’t miss the fun! So far, these folks will be on our stage:
The Lost Serenaders, Gabby and the Gabbettes, Annie Benjamin,
Glorian Mulligan-Stratton,”Williams & Dailey,” Cameron Hopson
Emmeline Miles, Judith Ann Anderson and Delia deVer!
… and expect a few more surprises!
All tickets are $10. Saturday, August 28th, 2010. 8:00pm
At the Unitarian Universalist Church of Oak Cliff
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Posted By Scott Grey on August 23, 2010
The American Lecture – Ralph Waldo Emerson abandoned his Unitarian pulpit but his life became an unending lecture on the nature of religion and life in the New World. His words have withstood the test of time and he is now hands-down the most quoted Unitarian figure in history if not the most quoted American ever. Rev. Marcia Shannon (RT 21:32)
“It seems only yesterday I used to believe there was nothing under my skin but light. If you cut me I would shine! But now, when I fall upon the sidewalk of life, I skin my knee. And I bleed.” – William Collins
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Posted By Scott Grey on August 23, 2010
Scholar, Physician, Martyr – A young man with an inquiring mind, and a lion’s heart fought his entire, but too short life, for freedom of conscience, freedom of thought, and freedom of speech. Rev. Mark Walz preached from the life of Michael Servitus. (RT 22:19)
“When we go back in time and look for those who are our Unitarian and Universalist ancestors, it is good to be aware that sometimes we look back to a place and time where they would not have claimed us, because they did not know us. But we claim them because of what they said, what they wrote, and how they behaved, illuminates that which has become the Unitatian Universalist church.” – Rev. Mark Walz
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Posted By Scott Grey on August 23, 2010
Vital Lives: Moving Mountains One Stone At A Time. Relocating a church requires painstakingly disassembling, moving, and reassembling it one stone at a time. Change takes the same painstaking, tenacious commitment to a goal that others can’t yet envision. Rev. Marcia Shannon visits Olympia Brown, Margaret Moseley and Florence Nightingale. (RT 28:44)
“… for me, the idea that the energy behind those principles exists, with or without me, gives me energy to perservere when things get particularily difficult. ” – Rev. Marcia Shannon
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Posted By Scott Grey on August 2, 2010
“Feminine Pillars: Standing Tall”
Continuing our exploration of many of the lives that have strengthened our Unitarian and Universalist roots, and added substance to our great faith tradition, Rev. Marcia Shannon & Rev. Mark Walz look at the lives of Sophia Lyon Fahs & Beatrix Potter.
Holding up the Unitarian Universalist Temple has required the thought, insight, and passion of our sisters. From the very beginning of our church here in North America, the temple pillars have been held up by the power of the feminine.
Please note that the RE exercise Rev. Shannon refers to in her homily was this Sunday’s “Dramatic Moment” and was a “Who Am I?” quiz of famous UUs presented by our children using signs and slides. (RT: 25:01)
“The Bible is not a book, it is a library of books, and it should have, could have, been more fluid in the last two thousand years. So I would highly recommend to all of you that you take the works of Sophia Lyon Fahs, Beatrix Potter, Zane Grey, and Batman. Sneak them in somewhere and make it a part of your Bible.” – Rev. Mark Walz
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