The year 2016 shed light on the depth of political polarization in this country. Above the surface or under it, our families, neighbors and residents have been profoundly polarized on issues of immigration, race, LGBTQ rights and liberation for some time; and on questions of what the future of the country should be and how we get there. The election cycle gave voice to these divisions.

We are now in a new political terrain, but one that exists within centuries of old struggles and organized resistance around the questions of who has the right to exist, the right to lead, and the right to remain.

In 2016, Standing on the Side of Love (SSL) had a fortifying presence (directly or indirectly) in every major grassroots turning point ‘movement moment’ of the year. The primary movement moment where we have been present: support to Black Lives Matter chapters at ‘flash moments’ (Charlotte, Baton Rouge), Standing Rock, and Latinx organizing in Arizona. Organizing is happening constantly. Annually, only a few campaigns or moments capture national attention and imagination. The campaigns and moments that do are usually characterized by a layered configuration of multiple leaders and organizations present, with groups represented coming from inside and outside ‘organized’ non-profits.

As we move through December holidays, many of us will slow down to reflect upon the kinds of self and community care we need for the fights ahead. The kind of deep care for ourselves and each other that resists commodification, centers spirit and sustains us for the work ahead. We hope our next episode of Fortification brings you into a conversation about love, spirit and leadership.

In our eighth episode of Fortification, Caitlin is joined by Lisa Anderson is vice president of Intersectional Engagement at Auburn Theological Seminary, an initiative dedicated to equipping bold and resilient women faith leaders with the tools they need for a lifetime of prophetic social justice activism. Anderson is the founding director of the newest signature program of that initiative, The Sojourner Truth Leadership Circle, which aligns the creation of vibrant and sustainable models of activist leadership with an emphasis on self and community care as a defining and galvanizing mandate for social justice in the 21st century. In addition, Anderson works with Auburn’s education team on issues of intersectional organizing, bridging the divide between theology and activism, and on deepening the spiritually grounding of leaders in a multifaith movement for justice via the creation and curation of worship and liturgical resources.

This winter, we are returning with 30 Days of Love. We know that many of us have met the last several weeks with rage, fear, cynicism, desperation, anxiety, and confusion. Many of us are looking this moment and seeing that the stakes are so high now, from climate justice, to LGBTQ justice, to gender justice, to economic justice, to racial justice this moment is about everything we value, everything that matters to us, the very questions of who we are and our existence. 

Many of us also feel that the moment requires more from us. That there will not be room for our pettiness, our egos, our impatience, our self-pity. There will not be room for doing things the way they have always been done, in the ways in which we are most comfortable. There will be no room for any of us to think we have the answers alone. As UUA President Peter Morales wrote about last week, this is not only about social justice (or our social justice ministries) this is about all we do and our deepest values.

We know there are a lot of messages circulating right now. A flurry of strategies rushing to solutions. I know that many of us are hunkering down. Many of you, like me, are afraid for our families and those we love because they (and we) are Muslims, undocumented, of color, LGBTQ, women. Many of us who are white also fear what an atmosphere of encouraged and amplified hate will mean for the souls of our white children and grandchildren. Who will they become (and who will we continue to be) if these are the examples of what it means to be white? To be a white man? 

The past week has been filled with sorrow and reflection coupled with incremental victories. In these times, we know there is a role for each of us to double down and share our gifts and talents in the service of movement and resistance. We hope our next episode of Fortification illuminates the ways we can support and flank movement in these times.

In our eighth episode of Fortification, Caitlin is joined by Gabriel Foster, co-founder and Executive Director of Trans Justice Funding Project. Gabriel Foster is a black, queer, trans, ‘momma’s boy’ living and loving in New York.  Prior to making his way to the Eastern Time Zone, he worked in Seattle, WA with the Northwest Network of bisexual, trans, lesbian & gay survivors of abuse helping to create their youth programming.

When word began to spread at Oceti Sakowin camp at Standing Rock on the afternoon of Sunday, December 4th, there was skepticism. The Army Corps of Engineers, some were saying, was about to announce that it was denying the permit which would have allowed the final sections of the Dakota Access Pipeline to be completed. 

Just twenty minutes later, when Dave Archambault II, Chairman of Standing Rock, announced that this hope was indeed true, elation spread among the thousands of people gathered in support of environmental justice and the sovereign rights of the Native people. Success! At least for the time being.

Since April 2016, the encampments at Standing Rock, supported by at least 200 indigenous tribes in North America whose flags were lining the roads within the camp, had been a place of prayer, reflection and direct action. In early November, 500 clergy, over 50 of them Unitarian Universalists, had answered the call to come to Standing Rock. Now, a month later, many of us – numbers yet unknown -- were gathered responding to the invitation from Chief Arvol Looking Horse. 

This weekend, people of faith and conscience will join the thousands of people holding prayerful witness in solidarity with the Water Protectors resisting the Dakota Access Pipeline. For folks traveling to Standing Rock this weekend, please join the UU Solidarity with Standing Rock – Dec 4 Interfaith Day of Prayer Facebook group for up to date information.

Conditions continue to evolve on the ground as resistance and solidarity grows. Whether you’re able to travel to Standing Rock or not, below see some timely resources important to inform and ground your solidarity with this movement. Wherever you are, doing the work to be accountable that is grounded in discernment, reflection and prayer is required as we support the Native-led prayerful organizing taking place in Standing Rock. Click here to find #NoDAPL Solidarity events taking place across the country.

Last Sunday night, in below-freezing temperatures, unarmed water protectors just north of Standing Rock survived shocking assaults from water cannons. Many were traumatized, and some needed emergency room care. In the aftermath of these attacks, and in the months prior, my congregation has received countless messages from people around the country – and world – asking, "What can we do?”

Meanwhile, we have received one of the most important invitations we are ever likely to receive, as people of faith and conviction. Chief Arvol Looking Horse, Keeper of the White Buffalo Calf Pipe Bundle, has called upon each of us to join him at Standing Rock on Sunday, December 4th, for an Interfaith Day of Prayer. In solidarity with indigenous people and mutual love for the water, it is my hope that you and your communities of faith will participate in this history-making day.

As those who have visited know, the nonviolent water protector movement at Standing Rock is deeply rooted in prayer. Each day I spend at Oceti Sakowin camp, I feel myself challenged and inspired to live a more prayerful and faithful life. We awake with prayers, dine with prayers, go to rest with prayers, and pray continuously throughout each day. 

Regardless of what happens today, we know some healing, sustenance and protection will be needed for ourselves and the communities we are part of. We hope our next episode of Fortification brings you some of that love, reflection and fortification.

In our sixth episode of Fortification, Caitlin is joined by Rev. Meg Riley. Meg is currently the Senior Minister at the Church of the Larger Fellowship. Before coming to CLF, Meg served the Unitarian Universalist Association in a variety of positions including directing the Advocacy and Witness Programs, Washington Office for Advocacy, Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Transgender Concerns, and Youth Office. She also was the first Director of Standing on the Side of Love.

In late October, The Rev. John Floberg, supervising priest of the Episcopal church on the North Dakota side of Standing Rock in connection with Clergy for Climate Action, called clergy to Standing Rock from November 2-4, 2016 in solidarity, prayer and action. Over five hundred clergy – including over fifty Unitarian Universalist clergy – answered the call. Standing on the Side of Love’s Nora Rasman joined UUA President Rev. Peter Morales and Special Assistant Dea Brayden.

While in North Dakota, Nora sat down with Rev. Karen Van Fossan, Minister at the UU Fellowship and Church of Bismarck-Mandan and Ronya Hoblit, Action Director of the Native American Training Institute (NATI) and member of the UU Church to learn more about the engagement of their congregation in support of Standing Rock and ways UUs throughout the country can support the work of the water protectors there.