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DECEMBER TO JANUARY
I am not a huge Seinfeld show fan, but did watch the show 'in the day.' Today's very chilly weather brought out clever reminders that December 23 was Festivus Day in that show's snarky history and might explain the cold. I'm skeptical, and since no URC member faith community contacted us to include notice (or cancellation!) of events, we won't even mention the holiday.
Your editor is reminded that a number of events have come and gone since the last submission, and so this will be a brief newsletter.
Please know of the gratitude of our board, volunteers and staff for all your engagement in 2022 and we look forward to a busy and productive 2023!
FIRST:
Hanukkah blessings to our readers and URC members celebrating the Eight Day Festival of Lights; tonight will usher in the sixth night of Hanukkah at sunset and when the Shabbat observances begin. Shabbat Shalom!
NEXT:
Advent and Christmas blessings to our members and readers celebrating the Christian holiday season. Saturday is Christmas Eve, long celebrated in the Pinter household with a fun meal and a no-holds-barred playing of the Animal Game (we may try that at another event some day), but this year postponed again due to concerns about covid. Merry Christmas!
THIRD:
Indiana Black Expo's South Bend Chapter will host a local observance of Kwanzaa on Tuesday, December 27, from 6:00 to 7:30 pm at the Main Branch (downtown) of the St. Joseph County Public Library; see this link for more info. Habari Gani!
OTHER NEWS:
REFUGEE WORK:
The URC has greatly appreciated the engagement and generosity of many houses of worship and faith communities in our efforts over the past 12 months.
Our efforts turn now to the Ukraine Humanitarian Parole (UHP) program, which is a very different way of resettlement. This will be a major focus as we begin the new calendar year, but our staff has already enrolled three families and we have become aware of a number more in the nearby communities in and around our usual territory of St. Joseph County. See our flyer below, but please know that referrals can be made for anyone not sure of their statues.
OPEN WORLD:
After an amazing visit with a group from Romania in late November, for which we owe much more space in a future newsletter, our organization will host our 2023 group of Human Rights delegates from the Republic of Kyrgyzstan from Feb 3-11, 2023. I just this morning got the confirmation, and we will put out more info soon.
TEMPLE BETH EL:
Rabbi Companez reached out this week to let us know that they will have pews/seating available in the coming months as they begin the process of relocation. If you have ever had the chance to participate in services at Temple Beth El, you'll recall the unique seating that they have; more info forthcoming.
LITTLE TASTE OF PEACE:
This event, hosted in the past by the South Bend Human Rights Commission, is now a project of URC and normally held on the Saturday of the weekend observing the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday. However, due to scheduling issues, we are moving this to Jan 28 from 6 to 7:30; don't worry, if the Colts wind up in the playoffs that night, we'll work around the calendar!
ADVOCACY CENTER:
Funds remain very limited, but URC is admininstering Dollar Energy applications that can assist Indiana Michigan Power (AEP) clients at risk of electric shutoffs or who's power is off; the application and qualifications are here:
We anticipate arrival of a fund for Emergency Food and Shelter Program, and are taking intake for this project as well at this location. Funds are very limited!
WISH LIST:
The URC received and has distributed a total of 8 sewing machines and accompanying kits that will be used by recently arrived Afghan families. The response was tremendous, and it's our hope that our readers will see the fruits of their work and learning in the months ahead.
The project recently received a mini-grant of $20,000 from Church World Service to work to help build socialization, English language skills, and understanding of mental health needs for families; those may not sound like related projects, but they are, and we extend our gratitude on behalf of those involved.
NEW NEEDS: VEHICLES!
The URC is looking for 'good' used vehicles that can be made available to our arrived Afghan clients. Most of the adults who arrived have passed or are close to gaining their driver's licenses; while access to vehicles is not a promised service, the organization has been able to provide six cars to clients. We have needs now for two additional vehicles. We are not picky but ask that any cars donated be in reasonable and safe shape as the clients' funds remain limited as they gain work and independence. Please let me know: jpinter@urcsjc.org. URC receives the vehicles for direct, no-cost transfer to the client and can provide the IRS donation forms to any donors so inclined.
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