Feb 20, 2020 Vol. LXXVIII Issue 07 Woodside World NEWS of CONGREGATION and COMMUNITY

Jo yfull y Defiant for the Sake of a Just World a congregation of the United Church of Christ, the Alliance of , and the American Baptist Churches

In the Congregation In the Community Sundays, 9:30 am The Adult Forum meets in the Café. Join in this Black History Month. The Theatre at the University of Michigan- week as we continue Robin Meyers' Saving from the Church. Flint hosts an Evening with Dr. Brittney Cooper, 5:30 pm Mon, Feb Talk to Jay Cummings if you need a book or more info. 24. Dr. Cooper, Associate Professor of Women & Gender Studies at Eloquent Rage: A Black Sound Team will meet 5:30 pm Fri, Feb 21, at the church to discuss Rutgers University, will discuss her book, the audio-visual stuff that makes our worship accessible. Techies of Feminist Discovers Her Superpower. Don't miss this free event! all types are invited. Encouraged actually. Micah's Table Thinking of membership? We prepare for Easter new-member Doing Justice, Loving Kindess. welcome with a 5-session series exploring Woodside's mission, We are seeking values, and approach to faith. Meet 9:30 am Sundays in March. Plan Improve the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act: support from faith community members and leaders to to attend all five. include LGBTQ community rights in this important legislation: Make a Green Difference: Last summer, Woodside submitted a protecting against discrimination in housing, employment and resolution on plant-based living to Michigan Conference UCC; that the law. Please use this link to add your name: slkt.io/5bmp resolution is now in the hands of a team (led by Jay and Pastor Deb) If you have questions, contact Jay Cummings at 517-392-0209. charged with preparing this for consideration at Annual Meeting in Community leaders are working to October. You can join the conversation! We meet electronically, 10 am Improving Michigan Prisons. get the Michigan Prisoner Rehabilitation Credit Reform Act (MPRCA) Feb 27. See or email Pastor Deb for dial-in info. on the 2020 ballot. Petitions are circulating! Sign one! Take one and Ash Wednesday, next week, begins the 40 days of preparation for collect signatures! Easter. We'll observe in a Service of Ashes & Communion, 7 pm. Let Michigan is one of just three states that does not have earned credits us help set the tone for a reason of reflection. available to prisoners. The MPRCA will allow incarcerated folks to Lenten Reflection: A new weeknight book group is getting ready earn credits toward early release, an incentive for higher education for “Five Thursdays,” a series of gatherings during the weeks of Lent. goals, enrollment in training programs and skills development. We’ll discuss Jesus for President (Shane Claiborne/), a For more info, see Jay or visit the website: https://www.mprca.info. timely reflection on politics and faith, with a bit of church history and some engaging graphics as a bonus. Leadership for a Just World: This week, Woodsiders Karen Eaton, and Leslie & Jay Cummings are attending the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Books are available in the office or at worship; please read the intro Conference in Arlington, VA, with the theme “Decade of Destiny: and chapter 1 before our first meeting. If we run out of books, we’ll Engaging the Powers.” Among the speakers: Stacey Abrams, voting- order more; just let us know. (Books and meals are on a “pay as you can” rights activist from Atlanta (swoon). She and other speakers will arrangement, with Woodside covering the gap. This is why we have a Faith debunk myths about Black voters, and address disenfranchisement, Formation budget.) voter suppression and gerrymandering. Watch for post-conference We’ll meet 6 pm Thursdays, beginning March 5, probably at Soggy reflections from Woodsiders, as we learn from them to mobilize and Bottom, 613 King Ave (assuming they let us make a inform our own faith community. reservation).Really important: Whether you bought your own book already or fetch one from the office, please call Ashley by Thursday, Greening Our Lives 2/27, and let us know to expect you! And watch this space for final Good news! Last week Michigan sentors Stabenow and Peters, along location news. with 30 others, introduced the Clean Economy Act, which sets the Easter Lilies: We will order lilies shortly to adorn our worship space U.S. on a path to net-zero climate pollution no later than 2050, and on Easter. You may "sponsor" a lily for yourself or in honor of loved requires the EPA to set interim national greenhouse gas targets for ones. Watch for details about pricing and ordering information in the 2025, 2030, and 2040. . coming weeks. As soon as we know... Follow the link to thank your senators for supporting the Clean Economy Act today! slkt.io/5eT1.