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Justice and Outreach Council
Monthly Digest
June 2022
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Welcome to the Justice and Outreach Council (JOC)'s monthly newsletter.
A place to find all the happenings of this active ministry at Trinity.
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Land Acknowledgement
The JOC committee devised this Land Acknowledgment statement to be read before meetings at Trinity.
We honor and acknowledge the Chumash people, the traditional custodians of this land, and pay our respects to the Chumash elders, past, present, and future, who call this land on which we sit their home. We appreciate their wisdom, their culture, and their presence among us today as the host people of this land. We lament the injustices done to the original inhabitants and the injustices done to this land in the centuries since. We seek the courage and wisdom to heal the wounds of the past and build a better future together, in deep solidarity.
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JOC Presents Summer Speaker Series | |
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"Justice and Engagement"
All community members are welcome to attend.
Worship services and forums will be available online via Zoom webinar.
Please share the series flyer with friends.
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IMMIGRANT DEFENSE
June 19
Preacher at 8am and 10am:
Rabbi Arthur Gross-Schaefer, Community Shul of Montecito and Santa Barbara "Welcoming New Neighbors"
Forum Host: Immigrant Legal Defense Center
Forum Speaker at 11:30am:
Julissa Pêna, Executive Director ILDC
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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
June 26
Preacher at 8am and 10am:
Scott Claassen, Vicar and Chaplain of St. Michael's University Church, Isla Vista, "Engaging in Environmental Protection"
Forum Host:Community Environmental Council CEC
Forum Speakers at 11:30am:
Kathi Brennan King, Director of Climate Education and Leadership and Jen Hernandez,Climate Justice Manager
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FOOD INSECURITY
July 3
Preacher at 8am and 10am:
Thomas Voelp, Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church "Food Insecurity"
Forum Host: Santa Barbara County Foodbank
Forum Speaker at 11:30am:
Eric Talkin, CEO SB Foodbank
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ECONOMIC CHALLENGES
July 10
Preacher at 8am and 10am:
Rev. Dr. David N. Moore, Jr., Lead Pastor, New Covenant Worship Center. "The needs of the poor and economically challenged."
Forum Host: Central Coast Alliance United for a Sustainable Economy CAUSE
Forum Speaker at 11:30am:
Zulema Aleman, Associate Organizing Director of Programs
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Openings on the Justice and Outreach Council
There are currently only eight members on the JOC. At our May meeting, Laurinda Marshall gave notice that she will be leaving JOC effective August 1, 2022. She has been an inspiring and tireless worker for justice on so many fronts, and we have appreciated her contributions enormously! Though we are a dynamic group, there are so many social justice issues to consider, and we need your help! We know there are others out there with hearts yearning to help make this a more loving, peaceful, and just world. Please join us. If you are interested, please email Jeffrey Krutzsch.
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JOC Sponsors Environmental Defense Center Event
Sunday, June 5, 2-6pm
Rancho La Patera and Stowe House, Goleta
JOC voted to purchase an "Anacapa Sponsorship" to the annual EDC Blue and Green Event ($300), a coastal celebration. Trinity Episcopal Church will be listed as a sponsor for the fundraising event and will be provided with 2 tickets. Sarah and Mitchell Thomas will attend and represent Trinity.
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Santa Barbara Feeding Ministries
Transition House. The May 28 dinner was provided by Vanessa Woods. She prepared a good salad, pasta, and dessert. She volunteers “because it is important as a person with a great deal of privilege that I can make sure I am accepting the responsibility that comes with that privilege to make the world a better place.” Thank you, Vanessa, for your important contribution to the families living there! For those interested in helping with this ministry, please contact Teresa Pietsch, teresapietsch@cox.net
The Dinner in Alameda Park Meal Ministry. On Thursday, May 26, amazing teams of volunteers served dinner to our houseless neighbors. Dinner included casseroles from our freezer, salad, bread and butter (the diners’ favorite!) and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Norma Stuck, a volunteer on the meal preparation team, reported that this activity brings her “ friendship, productivity, and a sense of contribution”. She especially appreciated the great organization of the various teams, making each job very manageable. There is a food purchase team, food preparation, clean up, food delivery, compassionate serving, and more clean up. Consider volunteering for this worthwhile ministry, here.
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Border Compassion Project Update
With the support of the Interfaith Sanctuary Alliance (ISA), five representatives of two member congregations crossed over the border from Calexico to Mexicali at the end of April 2022 to deliver materials and meet with residents of the Posada del Migrante Shelter. (Laurinda Marshall was not able to make the trip.)
It was a heart-breaking and heart-warming experience. The stories of those who live at the Posada are extraordinarily moving. They come from Central America or from Michoacán, Mexico. Their average age is 35. They have suffered from violence, discrimination, natural disasters, and poverty and have travelled hundreds of miles only to be turned away by US authorities to live for months or years in limbo.
John Altman, Linda Beers, Anna DiStefano, and Deborah Karoff from the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara and Rev. Jeannette Love of the Catholic Church of the Beatitudes drove in two cars packed with nine suitcases filled with materials for the approximately 80-100 children living in the shelter. The youth groups from Trinity Episcopal Church and the Unitarian Society had raised more than $1500 to purchase art supplies for the children. One suitcase was filled with Spanish language books to jumpstart the creation of a library for the children. The empty suitcases were donated to the shelter so that they could be distributed by lottery to the families who are fortunate enough to receive authorization to leave the shelter bound for the US. (The ISA had recently raised more than $6500 and sent it to Border Compassion, a nonprofit organization founded by Sister Suzanne Jabro, to support the many different needs of the approximately 200 people currently in the shelter.) This money provided for food for residents and, in particular, underwrote the celebrations of the Day of the Child on April 30th and Mexican Mother’s Day on May 10th.
We will always remember:
• the delighted squeals of the children as they opened tote bags which held a sketch book, a box of crayons, watercolors, and a mechanical pencil.
• the grandparents who are caring for their nine month old grandson until they can join their daughter in San Francisco.
• the family of eight living in one room desperate to escape the violence that had killed the oldest son and to save their two teenage boys from the same fate.
• the lesbian couple and young daughter fleeing the death threats of the cartel and unwelcome in the homophobic home of relatives in the US.
• the father hoping to come to the US in order to work and make enough money to care for his young son who has a severe case of diabetes.
The Border Project Group will meet again soon to explore additional ways to witness and support the journeys of these valued neighbors at the border.
Submitted by Anna DiStefano, Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara
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Migration Ministries Update
Afghan Resettlement Task Force
In the February issue of the JOC's monthly digest, we learned about Molly Kellogg's work to help resettle an Afghan family in Santa Barbara, and then in Dallas.
Financial support is needed to continue to support this family. Please read the message from Molly Kellogg to learn more about this effort.
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Opportunities for Involvement
in our local community, at Trinity, and in the world
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Volunteers needed for PATH Fundraiser
Saturday, June 4, 4-8pm
John "JB" Bowlin, Associate Director of Philanthropy and Community Affairs, is looking for help with Saturday's fundraiser at Sunstone Winery. If you are able to participate, please contact JB at 805-252-3386 or JohnB@epath.org for more details.
Here are the shift/tasks:
12-3PM; Event set-up.
3-6PM; Event support. Helping with food buffet, checking in guests.
6-9PM: event support & breakdown; Helping with food buffet, clean-up.
Event information can be found here.
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PFLAG Connects: Virtual Support Meetings
June is LGBTQ history month
PFLAG meets online every month, in English and in Spanish, for virtual support meetings. Meetings are run by trusted PFLAG Santa Barbara leaders, exploring topics relevant to the LGBTQ+ community, followed by sharing and support. Visit the website for registration information.
Upcoming Meetings:
Monday, June 13 at 7pm (English)
Thursday, June 9 at 7pm (Spanish)
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Sarah House Fundraiser
Saturday, June 11
Support Sarah House by attending Waula Fest, an intimate music festival with great music, food, cocktails, beer and local wine. Wade Cowper and Paula Phan both serve on the board of Sarah House. Instead of a wedding, they decided to celebrate their love and commitment by throwing a music festival to benefit the community and their favorite charity. Buy tickets and learn more.
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Independent Living Resource Center
Mini Summit
Saturday, June 23, 5-8pm
Hear from artists and activists with disabilities about what pride means to them. Explore what it means to be an ally. Register for this online meeting by emailing Jacob Lesner-Buxton.
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Don't forget to vote in the Primary Election on June 7. | |
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Central Coast Regional Equity Study
The Central Coast is at the leading edge of inequality trends that have gripped the nation for decades. To better understand and to take action for needed changes towards more equity in our region, please read this eye-opening report!
Goleta’s Super 8 Motel to Become Permanent Housing
City, County, and State Pitch In to Purchase Hotel with County Housing Authority
Read the article here.
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Every month we publish a story of justice, ministry and volunteerism from a Trinity parishioner. This month we feature Mac McNeel, a longtime Trinity member. Here is her story of involvement and sharing of her many gifts!
I open each day with the following prayer: “Lord, help me transform Your love into my love for others, projecting it on my face, in my words, and by my actions.” -- Rev. David Barnhouse
My service to Trinity started with volunteering for the choir when I first moved to Santa Barbara in 1989. I have continued to sing with the choir for thirty years. Around 1995, I took the training to become a Catechist, volunteering in Atrium 1 ever since. Generally, every Sunday I am either singing in the choir or sharing the love of the Good Shepherd with our 3, 4 and 5-year-olds. This past year, I have partnered with Carrie Brothers every Sunday in the Atrium, learning from her interactions with the children in the Catechesis of the Good Shepard.
I was also a youth mentor for a few years (very helpful for keeping me up with all things teen oriented!) I have also served on the Vestry, which included an enjoyable house hunt for the current rectory. My continuing service to Trinity includes running Helping Hands, which dear Betty Bickel turned over to me in 2013. Helping Hands ministers (there are thirty-five of us) offer short-term help to parishioners. We offer meals, grocery deliveries and rides to and from medical appointments. Please talk to me if YOU think you might enjoy joining us in this ministry!
I have just started volunteering for “Dinner in the Park”. I am enjoying getting to know our unhoused neighbors and the opportunity to meet volunteers that show up from other congregations.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention how much fun it is to collect money for Willbridge of Santa Barbara every Lent. “Buck in a Boot” is a fund raiser that I started to help buy the shoes given to each participant at their Maundy Thursday foot washing. I am so grateful for the generosity of my Trinity family.
I have always found that stepping up to be of service fills my heart to overflowing. It keeps me connected to both longtime Trinity friends and new. Trinity is a huge part of my life and it is a real blessing to be part of this wonderful community. I give back in thanksgiving for all that I receive.
“We’re all just walking each other home.” --Ram Dass
Mac McNeel, yogimac@cox.net
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Celebrate and Support Justice | |
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Look for the blue celebration envelopes in the pews!
CELEBRATE!...a birthday, an anniversary, a special event of any sort for which you are thankful.
Turn your “celebration” into a donation to the Justice and Outreach Council. We will use these funds to provide comfort and safety to those in need—food, education for children, assistance to immigrants—any of our neighbors needing support . . . so they can celebrate. Together, these gifts make possible our community of welcome, reconciliation and service.
For the month of April, JOC warmly thanks Charity Dean, Mac McNeel and Doug Moore, Jeannie Christensen, Robert Mann, Nollie Lei Dawson, Irene Marsi, Anna Kokotovic, Emily and David Young, Laura Ringquist, and Jean Lange Davis for their generous contributions for justice locally and globally.
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The Justice and Outreach Council (JOC) continues its important work in our community and beyond. Funding for the JOC comes from your pledges and Celebration offerings. The JOC’s funding is part of our annual operating budget where five percent (5%) of all pledges received during the year is put in the JOC account. As pledge income has remained steady this year, these funds continue to be set aside for justice work.
There are two ways you can continue to celebrate and support our justice work in addition to your pledges both now and in the future. You can send in a check made out to Trinity and simply note “Justice” in the memo line and provide the names of the persons or occasion you want to celebrate. You can also donate via Trinity’s PayPal account, select "Justice Fund" and under “special instructions” provide the names of the persons or occasion you want to celebrate.
Thank you for supporting our justice work through your pledges, donations, prayers, and most of all, the work you do in your lives to make this a more loving, peaceful, and just world.
Kathryn Dean, JOC
Michael Dean, Treasurer
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