Faith in Action Commission Welcomes a New Leader

Faith in Action was created in 2000 as a new way ofengaging our entire congregation in witness andadvocacy issues such as peace, civil liberties, socialjustice and homelessness. We developed a set of proceduresand policies that wereendorsed by the congregationand the board. One of thosepolicies called for two-yearterms for the chair of the Faithin Action Commission.

It has been my privilegeand pleasure to have servedtwo terms as chair. Now, it istime for new leadership. Itgives me great pleasure toannounce that the new chairis Cathie Gentile.

Cathie was a foundingmember of Faith in Action andhas played a variety of leadershiproles in our witness andadvocacy program. She helpedus choose and manage hungeras the primary issue of congregational concern. She hasbeen instrumental in establishing our relationships withthe Westside Food Bank,Turning Point and Step Up onSecond. She played an importantrole in our involvement ineconomic justice, workingwith our Faith in Actioninterns involved in helpinghotel workers in Los Angelesobtain a better contract. Morerecently, she has been our liaison with the UnitarianUniversalist Legislative Ministry in California.

Cathie's new position as chair was endorsed by the Faithin Action Commission and the Board of Directors at theirMay meetings. We are fortunate having such a dedicatedand qualified leader.

- Charles Haskell

Unequal Marriage Rights Amendment is Headed to the Senate on June 5

The personal milestones that we celebrate withinour families and as a society - graduations, marriage,the birth of a child - resonate deeply for all of us.When these milestones are marked, we are oftenwarmly inundated with validations and blessings forthe growth we have accomplished and the growth thatis expected to follow. And most of us take these milestonesfor granted.

Unfortunately for some of us, however, the milestoneof marriage and the more than 1,000 legal rightsof a civil marriage are denied us. Frankly, the fact thatmy society does not allow me, as a lesbian, to marrythe woman I have been committed to for 20 years now,tells me that I am not considered fully human. Howelse can I be denied participation in one of the mostbasic and life-changing of human rituals?

Yes, hearts and minds are changing on this issue,but we have many battles ahead.

Around June 5, the U.S. Senate will again voteon the Marriage Protection Amendment (S.J. Res. 1),which would amend the U.S. Constitution to bansame-sex marriage nationwide and, most likely,invalidate existing state domestic partner and civilunion laws.

Many argue that such an amendment is needed toprotect the "sanctity," or holiness or sacredness ofmarriage. We need to send a message to the Senatethat same-sex relationships are holy and sacred andthat our families need the protections that only civilmarriage can confer.

To take simple and quick action against S.J. Res. 1,visit these Web sites: Human Rights Campaign(hrc.org), People for the American Way (pfaw.org), orAmerican Civil Liberties Union (aclu.org). Also, pleasecontact family and friends in other states to urge theiraction on this issue.

How can love not be holy? As UUs, we stand on theside of love (see uua.org).

- Kris Langabeer