Social Justice Committee Minutes

Social Justice Meeting January 24th 2021

.      Store House West donations will be gathered on Feb 7th, 2021, Matt and Kathy will be present from 11a-1p.  

  1. Jay will add reminder to FB page for both StoreHouse West and Haven House. 
  2. Jay will remind upcoming speaker to announce this event. 

2.      Westside Reads- ongoing, Kathy and Rev. Nancy collected several hundred books 

a.      Once Rio Rancho Schools are back in session Rev. Nancy will attempt to make contact.

b.      Reminder that ABQ members can and are encouraged to support a little library on their property.

C. Michelle Poioni has created a little library for the church ground. 

3.      Haven House continues to accept cleaning supplies. Rev. Nancy will put information in the mid-week notice, with a reminder to place Haven House items in separate areas, to be delivered separately.  

4.      Confirmation that the Letter was approved at the last town hall meeting, the Board President is editing the document for clarity- Jay will follow up with Steve to see where this is. 

5.      Janet presents information for members of the congregation to send to their representatives in regards to environmental justice, a future letter will be created for this purpose.  

To Watch State

a. HB xx To reduce greenhouse gas to below 45% by 2030

  1. Upcoming: Pre-filing,  Green amendment, that all residents have a right to clean air
  2. Pre-filing  Sustainable economy Act
  3.  Pre-filing Electric vehicle tax credit
  4. Upcoming Fracking moratorium
  5. WATER— produced Water Act amendment (2018) to expand consequences of water contamination from fracking 

National To Watch 

Biden made an executive order to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline,  but nothing about the Dakota Access pipeline, which has already been found illegal by lower courts. 

There is a backlash in New Mexico as National Administration put halt to new drilling on Federal land. 

Environmental New Mexico has petitioned for Costco to change their toilet paper sales, a possible letter to Costco to reaffirm this stance. 

6.      Judy suggests that as a congregation, a letter is written to vote out the outdated abortion bill that is on the books in this state.  Judy will create a letter for the congregation and present individual letters for members of the congregation to send independently. The social justice committee unanimously votes to back both the congregational and individual letters

– Jay will email Judy about this. 

7.      Discussion about the 8th principle of anti-racism to be reviewed at February’s meeting.

  1. Possibly reaching out to other congregations who have and haven’t adopted this principle to speak at SJC meeting. 
  2. Oasis UNM Instructor on Racism last semester 
  3. What can we do as a church to continue this conversation in real time. 
  4. We will continue to have this conversation in the Feb. Meeting.