Mark your Calendars for Thirty Days of Love 2016!
Photograph from the 2014 Finding Our Way Home Gathering
As we kick off a new congregational year, we are so excited to announce that Thirty Days of Love, this time dedicated to intersectional racial justice, will be back in 2016! Thirty Days is an exciting opportunity to support the emerging and ongoing racial justice organizing happening in Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country, in the tradition of organizing for civil and human rights and in support of the growing Movement for Black Lives.
After a brief hiatus this year to allow room for the newly launched Climate Justice Month, Thirty Days returns Saturday, January 16 and continuing through Sunday, February 14, 2016.
As in previous years, each week will have a focus; in 2016, we’ll be centering on racial justice as it intersects with other core justice priorities of the UUA, such as immigration justice and LGBTQ equity. We will feature multi-generational and family resources as in years’ past, and will offer congregational resources for each week.
Back in 2012, the team at Standing on the Side of Love realized there were exactly 30 days in between Martin Luther King, Jr. Day and Valentine’s Day. We had already been re-imagining Valentine’s Day as a social justice holiday for a few years, so we thought we’d get creative and make something meaningful happen in between these two powerful holidays. From that Thirty Days of Love was created!
In subsequent years, it hasn’t been an exact 30 days between these two holidays, but the dates still provide an important anchor to the start and close of our initiative.
So, what are the goals for Thirty Days of Love? Why is it important and why should we participate?
Thirty Days of Love brings tools for individuals and congregations to engage in listening campaigns, expanded partnership and collaboration, theological reflection, collective sharing, political education, and support for direct action. We offer tangible resources for you celebrate the words and deeds of unsung heroes and to continue the effort to promote equality, acceptance, diversity, and inclusion.
Thirty Days of Love has been a phenomenal experience for lots of folks and we consider this year no different. We want you to join us in 2016! This year, we’ll send one weekly email on a specific justice issues as it relates to racial justice, and offer you resources for reflection, education and action. There will also be a daily message or action shared via social media so follow along on Facebook and Twitter to see those messages.
In years past, we have heard the powerful voices of justice leaders both within Unitarian Universalism as well from many of our partner organizations who are on the frontlines of organizing for racial justice. We expect this year to be no different. Take your involvement to the next level by signing up to participate in Share the Love Sunday, giving a Courageous Love Award, and collaborating and organizing with local Black Lives Matter organizations to take action for racial justice in your own community.
And of course, we are here to help with any questions along the way.
With gratitude and love,
Nora Rasman
Campaign Coordinator, Standing on the Side of Love