As we explore the spiritual theme of Justice at OUUC this month, I have been putting together lesson plans for our children and youth around Justice. For young children, justice is most often understood in terms of fairness and in the immediate interactions between people. What is fair? Are we all getting our fair share? Our High School youth got more philosophical, asking what is our moral framework for understanding justice, particularly around the two common justice questions: distribution of resources and retribution for wrong-doing. How do we decide what is fair? What is just?
These are important questions for our young people, but they remain important reflection questions throughout our lifespans. As we live with other people, having to share resources, we will keep asking “what is fair?” As we all sometimes harm others and are harmed by others (see Rev Mary’s excellent sermon from last Sunday and the UUA Common Read for this year On Repentance and Repair) we have to find ways to address harm that also feel just.
So how can you engage meaningfully with these questions this month? How can you wrestle with what is just, how we share resources fairly, and how we justly address harm? Quite easily, I’m afraid. I say afraid because the unfortunate truth is that we are constantly surrounded by examples of injustice, of harm, and of inequity and need. It’s all around us, within us, among us, all the time. And we may not agree, may not see clear cut simple answers to “what is just?”
Here are a few upcoming events that can bring some questions and ponderings to us.
Sunday Feb. 11th Noon at OUUC, screening and discussion of film Since I Been Down. Join us (in person or on Zoom, using the usual Sunday morning worship service link) to watch this powerful documentary and ponder questions of punishment, rehabilitation, and justice.
Saturday Feb 24th, 10am, at Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Performance Lounge
9401 Farwest Dr SW Lakewood WA 98498
Drag Queen Story Hour with Galactic Molasses Reading Banned Books
Register here
This is an event to celebrate trans voices and stories, with picture books appropriate for people of all ages, and to raise funds to help families that are relocating because of anti-transgender legislation being passed in many states. Explore questions of acceptance and celebration. How do we counter the harm that is done by transphobia and patriarchy?
Saturday February 24, 2-5pm at Olympia YWCA
D.R.E.A.M. event in honor of Black History Month by Justice for Yvonne McDonald
Registration required, sliding scale donation to help much appreciated but not required.
This event is themed “What If”, and will feature the voices of local black leaders of all ages.
Saturday March 2nd, noon, at the State Capitol
Poor People Campaign’s March to Stay Alive
Register here
Join with the Poor People’s Campaign to call for policies that address the intersecting injustices of poverty, racism, and other forms of oppression. How can our society be fair and just for all?
You can also join us each Thursday at 6:30pm for the rest of this month for our Action Hour following the Thursday dinner, and you can join the Faith in Action Alert List on Realm (email me for help with that) for simple ways to engage and use your voice to call for more justice.
What is fair? What is just? How do we address harm? These are important questions for us all to ask each other, as we continue to work for a world with more justice. And within our beloved community at OUUC we can do this work together.
