What’s Coming Up!

 

WHEW! there is a lot going on!  In talks with some of you all, I know that we’re all kind of reeling from the onslaught of proclamations, the cabinet picks, and other actions coming from the Trump Administration.  Most, if not all of us, I’m sure are feeling the weight of this onslaught and struggling with all it means. The “shock and awe” framing from the administration about this barrage of actions is accurate!

 

I have been struggling with three main responses to this experience:

1) feelings of being overwhelmed and not knowing how to act/react/respond in ways that are meaningful

2) feeling pulled to focus on all that I am against!

3) feeling myself called to hate — not just hate what is being done but also hating the people who are doing it.

 

In the midst of these spiritual, intellectual and emotional reactions, I am working to intentionally stay grounded in three ways:

 

1) Stay Local!  A lot of what is coming down is big and hairy and scary and beyond my capacities to do anything about.  The ways that these decisions are coming down to the local area (in my case, Louisville), are still hairy and scary, but there also more accessible.  As one UU reminded us in a recent meeting “all politics are local” — when I connect to the local impacts of these big, audacious, scary policies, they become less overwhelming.  AND I am connecting with local folx to help to generate more power, help build community, and help ways to have fun and be joyful in the midst of the really hard work we have to do.

 

2) Stay Progressive! The image I experience (in my mind and in my body) with this onslaught of mean-ness is pushing against something with all my might, knees locked, heels dug in, arms pushing hard against this force and my back straight!  But this position, I know from my own experience as an organizer and what we all know from research, is not sustainable!  If we want to sustain our efforts, our activism, our organizing, our relationships… for the next 4 years, we have to focus on what we are FOR, not what we are against.

 

3) Stay Grounded in Love! At the center of our Faith is Love. Hating Trump, and/or his supporters, and/or his cabinet choices, and/or any of the people is not an expression of my faith! I am not suggesting that I have found a way to offer President Trump love, but I can ground my responses in love.  It’s a really good opportunity for me to practice what I claim to believe 😉

 

Our intention as the state network, is to focus even more right now on “us”. Yes we have a lot of work in front of us.  And I suspect that many of us are being pulled to the work at the local level!  AND — We’re in this together.  I and the Board will be planning more opportunities for us to be together (mostly virtually but also in person) to strengthen our bonds with each other and deepen our ability to stay persistent!

Some Ways We’re Responding

 

There are powerful, engaging, and community building ways that our congregations and local communities are responding to the Trump Administration.  I am hearing lots of stories of the ways that you all are deepening your relationships with your local partners in order to support folx in your communities who being targeted.

 

In Northern Kentucky, after holding their first ever Pride Festival, a small group of organizers of that day (including a UU) are planning to meet with a local elected official who visibly and pointedly oppose the festival. They are also already planning for their 2025 festival!

 

In Louisville, the Justice Center at All Peoples as created a “”Clergy Resistance Network”. The purpose of this network is to provide mutual support as Clergy offer resistance, encourage ways for clergy to mobilize their congregations to be more resistant to the Administration’s efforts, and consider ways to organize as a collective.

 

Please share your stories at info@kuujan.org so we can share them with each other!

 

 

Opportunities to Plug In

 

KUUJAN in partnership with Kentucky Council of Churches and additional partners are working to develop a “People’s Budget” to make available in Jan 2026 (prior to the 2026 legislative budget session).  Our state budget process does not allow for the people’s voices to be heard.  Our intention is to create a mock budget based on the voices of the people of the commonwealth — centering those who have historically been most marginalized.   We hope to release ways for you to be actively involved in this process in the coming weeks

 

Upcoming Opportunities:

 

KUUJAN’s All Network Gathering

Feb 20, 7:30 pm – 9:00 pm (EST time)

 

Our next ANG will feature. Charles Booker who will lead us in a conversation of staying persistent in the midst of what’s going on! Here is the zoom link

 

Voting Rights Lobby Day

Feb 11, 9 – 1 (EST Time)

 

The annual Voting Rights Day is quickly approaching.  Join us in Frankfort as we continue to raise our voices and apply pressure to our state leaders to allow people with felonies in their past to regain the right to vote.  Go here to Register

 

Energy/Disconnections Lobby Day

Feb 13, 9 – 1 (EST Time)

 

Join us with KFTS and Kentuckians for Energy Democracy for the Energy Justice Lobby Day in Frankfort  Go here to Register

 

At this moment, the new version of the “disconnections bill” has not yet been filed, but we expect that it will be at any moment (by UU Rep Lisa Wilner). Once Filed, I will share more info with you.

 

The Spiritual Work of Trans Justice and Safety

Feb 23, 11:30 – 4:30 (EST time)

 

The First Unitarian Society of Madison is offering this training opportunity, facilitated by Transforming Hearts Collective. The training is free. Go here for more information and to register.

 

Take Action

 

Oppose HB 713.  This bill aims to reduce the ability of local jurisdictions to maintain rental registries. These registries are used by some local communities to help ensure compliance to lead levels in rental properties, for example. Some of our state legislature thinks that these registries are too arduous for landowners and is looking to reduce local communities’ authority to ensure safe rental homes.  Go here for more information.

 

Support SB 59 the “Yes in my backyard bill”.  This Bill, which has some momentum behind it, eases the process by which religious institutions can create and offer affordable housing in their local communities.

 

 

 

Take Action!