The December FIA/Peace & Social Justice Committee meeting was held on December 21st with fifteen people attending in person and one on Facetime.
Agenda items included: Gaza, I.C.E., CalCare 2026, Cloverfield Commons, Clergy and Laity United for Economic Justice (CLUE) Update, Ministerial Search Update, People’s Freedom Party/Vote Socialist 2026, Alaska Mining, MLK DAY, “My Father’s Name” Film Screening, and UU the Vote
GAZA – Mia is our contact for helping the family in GAZA that she sponsors. She gave us an update regarding the family living in a tent, facing the cold weather, having no job, and trying to head south. Life is a little better since the fragile cease fire was declared earlier this year. Mia will send us a link via email and a place a poster at the P&SJ table on Sunday 12/28. Deirdre will place a box to collect cash or check donations. We are planning to set up monthly donations. Mia is moving to Portland in January. Roberta and Kate continue to attend the Sunday vigils for Palestine.
I.C.E. – Evelyn and Kate gave an update on I.C.E., the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and their violation of civil rights and due process. Evelyn and Kate told us possible ways to participate and the training available. One can donate food and cash, deliver meals, patrol in cars, etc. I.C.E. seemed to be on vacation in December in Los Angeles.
CAL CARE – Roberta updated us on efforts to pass CalCare in California in 2026, a single-payer health care system, sponsored by the CNA, California Nurses Association. CNA is coordinating with HC4US, a non-profit, to form CUSP, California United for Single Payer. We will ask the UU Board to endorse the bill.
CLOVERFIELD COMMONS – FIA and CLUE support the proposed housing development/park at the site of the Santa Monica Airport, closing in 2028. There was recently a meeting here at UUSM with personal stories of Santa Monica workers that would be enriched by this community project.
CLUE – On December 11, Cathie Gentile attended a Justice Posada with CLUE starting at the SM Pier to St. Augustine’s on Fourth Street. The Shore Hotel was the only opposition as an “inn”.
MINISTERIAL SEARCH – James and the team are diligently continuing the search. A successful survey taken by church members was recently completed.
PEACE AND FREEDOM PARTY- Church and P&SJ member Alice Stek is running for Lieutenant Governor with the Peace and Freedom Party. She shared a postcard and is collecting signatures as a candidate if we wish to sign.
ALASKA MINING – Ellie is upset after hearing a recent NPR program about the Trump administrations shifts in policy to reopen mining/drilling In Alaska and elsewhere and to override Biden-era restrictions. She proposes writing letters at our committee meetings in opposition. We agreed this is a good idea.
41st Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr Celebration Santa Monica – Monday, January 19, 9:00 am, with keynote speaker Bonnie Boswell. A Community Involvement Fair starts at 10:30. FIA has participated in past years and Carol, Deirdre, and Alice have volunteered to staff the FIA table with pamphlets, posters, etc. We will ask UU Membership Committee to join us. The celebration is presented by various sponsors. There is also a Friday morning breakfast and a concert on Saturday afternoon.
FILM SCREENING – We choose Sunday, February 8 as the date to screen the short documentary, “MY FATHER’S NAME,” a film by Susanna Styron. After her father’s death, Jan Frazier discovered her father had participated in a lynching. Jessica, our DRE and a few others have seen it. Information will be in the newsletter and snacks will be provided.
UU THE VOTE – Cole will replace Larry on the UU the Vote postcard writing, to resume in Spring 2026. Thanks to Larry for the successful writing campaign in 2025.
The next Faith in Action/Peace & Social Justice Committee meeting will be January 18 after the service under the Patio Shade Structure.
