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| May 2005 |
| Contents Words of inspiration Words of Inspiration If we choose to overlook or ignore our community responsibilities, we may well be abdicating control of the influences on our families to others. Our standards and values can be an influence for good in our community—but only when we become involved and share that influence. . . . [M]uch good can often result from even a little time invested—a
letter to an editor or lawmaker, for example. . . . As we strive today,
despite limited time and resources, to be good citizens of our neighborhoods,
communities, and nations, we will also be teaching our children the attitudes
and skills they will need to improve our communities tomorrow. Source: “Preparing
Children for Their Community Roles,” Ensign, Aug. 1988. Special Theme: Chapter Building and Spirituality by John-Charles Duffy, Media Director
At the same time, the Las Vegas chapter is celebrating its first anniversary. After much anticipation, a new chapter was formed a couple months ago in Los Angeles. And I've recently learned that chapters have started in New York City and Madison, Wisconsin. Exciting news! This month's issue of Anxiously Engaged has a special theme: chapter building and spirituality. In this issue, you'll find:
I hope that the ideas in this month's issue will inspire the creation
of new chapters and help bring new energy to existing ones. And I hope
that all readers, but especially those of us who don't live near organized
chapters, will find ideas that can help us grow stronger in our commitment
to apply gospel values to work toward a better world.
The (Hard) Work of Social Justice by Suzette Smith, Public Liaison
In a world were we strive against the current to get people to take interest in what we are planning, from Enrichment night to Earth Day; it feels good to be in a place where “everyone shows up." But what of those times when we pour our energy, talents, and time into events and “no one shows up”? How do we justify our investment? And how do we validate our efforts? Working in MESJ, with an interest in social justice and equality, causes me to reflect on these questions more and more. If the battle is all uphill, is it still worth fighting? I’m sure many of you have pondered these same questions as you have served in your wards and stakes and as you have been involved with MESJ, trying to start chapters or plan events or rally interest. In March, I worked to plan International Woman’s Day here in Salt Lake City. The planning committee was a small group of diverse women (including myself, representing MESJ) who worked for almost a year to find speakers, sponsors, and tablers with little support and few resources. We were excited about the idea of this event and passionate about creating a Celebration of Women in the Salt Lake Community. In the end, the program was full of great speaker, panels, and entertainment--and yet, my heart was heavy when I looked into the audience to see only 35 people. I suppose there were things we could have done differently in trying to draw people to our event, but sometimes, my tired emotions wonder if it would have made any difference. It’s a discouraging feeling. The redeeming thought is that I truly feel that there was something of value in the celebration we planned on International Woman’s Day; and there were a handful of people who were enriched by that. Whether or not it was a worthwhile return on my investment, only I can answer. As a Latter-Day Saint, I often read in the D&C that if just one soul repents and comes into the Kingdom, then God’s joy is full. There are days when I too am grateful for the one soul that is touched by my efforts. “Shall we not go on in so great a cause?”
(D&C 128:22) Keys to a Successful Chapter Tips from Las Vegas MESJ
Starting a MESJ chapter is easier than you might think. According to the bylaws, a chapter can be formed as soon as there are four dues-paying MESJ members in an area. Becoming a dues-paying member means signing the Membership Pledge and paying $10 a year. Membership dues stay with your chapter to provide you with some basic operating funds. A chapter is expected to hold a minimum of four meetings or activities a year. Las Vegas MESJ has offered the following basic success formula: Making the world a better place indeed starts with you....and three other individuals to organize a local chapter. If you can't find three people to agree with you, then the world is in a much worse shape than you thought it was. On the other hand, just taking that very first simple step would mean great momentum for MESJ as a whole. (As you look for other potential chapter members, think about your own family and friends. Or contact the Public Liaison to inquire if there are other individuals from your area on the MESJ email list.) Feels good, doesn't it? You just started your local chapter! Now what? No need to storm the barricades or start those hunger strikes
just yet. How about watching a social justice movie together, or reading
a great book, and talking about it over a potluck dinner? You can do it! More involved action for social justice takes a strong and established chapter, but creating awareness can be initiated by a relatively small and beginning chapter. Here are some ways other chapters, with limited time and resources, have worked to create awareness:
Sojourners, a faith-based social justice organization, has provided online
tips and suggestions for small social justice groups that you might
find helpful. Nurturing the Spirit of Justice Tips for those without a MESJ chapter (or with one)
One of the things that attracts people to MESJ is the sense of belonging to a group of like-minded people. As with any endeavor, it's easier to keep your commitment to social justice burning strong when you're surrounded by supportive, energetic people. A MESJ chapter can be a great help in keeping the fire stoked. But a lot of the people who are connected to MESJ via the email list and the online newsletter live in places where there is no organized chapter and where the prospects for organizing a chapter seem dim. And even having a chapter in your area doesn't guarantee that the chapter will be active. Everyone's busy, and Latter-day Saints especially have a lot of obligations to juggle--church, family, work, school. Social justice is a spiritual commitment, and like other aspects of our
spiritual lives, it needs to be nurtured. The scriptures caution us not
to run faster than we have strength. They also promise us that small and
simple things can make a big difference. Here are some simple ways to
keep the spirit of social justice alive in your life. Taking responsibility
for nurturing this dimension of our spirituality is important for all
MESJ members, but it's especially important for those of us who aren't
able to interact face-to-face with other MESJ folks. Reflect on social justice as you study the scriptures. The scriptures speak to all dimensions of our lives: personal challenges, family responsibilities, church service, relationships with neighbors or coworkers . . . and our commitment to be "actively engaged" as citizens. In your scripture study, seek to "liken the scriptures to yourself" as an activist in addition to your other roles in life. Share your thoughts with the MESJ newsletter's "Sunday School Notebook." Make social justice part of your holiday observances. The MESJ website offers family home evening ideas and electronic greeting cards that highlight social justice themes relevant to various holidays observed in the United States. The website also offers short daily devotionals for each of the international observances promoted by the United Nations, which are designed to raise awareness about pressing needs facing our world today. Take action, however small. If you're looking for a way to start, considering taking the Jobs with Justice pledge. Jobs with Justice is a worker justice organization with which MESJ is affiliated. After you take the pledge, you'll receive periodic action alerts via email, often with an option for automatically communicating about the issue with a company or lawmaker. Many other activist organizations maintain similar action alert lists; find one that feels like a good fit for you. Whatever actions you take, however small, think of them as a way of consecrating your time and talents to the service of others. Remember in Your Prayers...
Pray for those who have lost loved ones because of the violence or who are now refugees. Pray that peace and human rights will be restored in Uzbekistan.
News from Local Chapters
Madison: A MESJ chapter has been established in Madison, Wisconsin. The group's goals are to find volunteer opportunities where children and youth can participate alongside adults and to influence our wards and stake to volunteer similarly. Madison chapter members enjoy discussing social justice issues and taking action to help alleviate inequities. Members include scientists, social scientists, educators, lawyers, and artists, and our primary concerns include the environment, workers' rights, and economic disparity. The group's next meeting will be held on June 18; check
the MESJ calendar
for more details.
Las Vegas, of all places, at first glance may seem a very unlikely candidate
to bring about social justice, but it just goes to show that these things
don't so much depend on geographical location as much as on vision and
determination. The Las Vegas chapter directs its energy towards Latter-Day
Saints in Southern Nevada, but by profiling itself on the MESJ calendar
of Local Activities,
the chapter also hopes to create momentum for other MESJ groups to catch
the spirit and take that simple step of becoming a MESJ chapter.
Click on Gilbert's photo for an enlarged view. Mormonism and Social Justice Report on UVSC Conference
Presentations at the conference included the following:
Sunday School Notebook
D&C 59:18-20 tells us that God have provided "all things which come of the earth . . . for the benefit and the use of man," but that they must be used "with judgment, not to excess, neither by extortion." In a world where so many people lack what they need, how can I reduce my own consumption?
Call for Submissions: Taking MESJ International
Several individuals on the MESJ email list live outside the United States. Yet so far in its brief history, MESJ has been a heavily U.S.-centered organization. The June 2005 issue of Anxiously Engaged will have a special focus on the questions: How might MESJ better support Latter-day Saints committed to social justice outside the U.S.? How might the organization's perspective become more global in scope? All readers of this newsletter, but especially those who live outside the U.S. or who are not U.S. citizens, are invited to sibmit their thoughts to jcduffy@hotmail.com. Please put "Anxiously Engaged" in the subject line. Upcoming Events and Observances
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