Marilyn Sewell's Sermons to Air on Public Access TV
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Freedom for Choice Action Network
Upcoming events:
- Sunday, May 11, after each service - Fuller Hall Table
- Sunday, May 18, 12:45 - 2 p.m., B002 - Meeting to preview video Abstinence Comes to Albuquerque, a documentary about the controversy over abstinence education coming to the Albuquerque public school system. Lunch provided to complement the viewing and discussion.
- Sunday, May 25, after each service - Fuller Hall Table
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New link: www.nroptions.org
Network for Reproductive Options (NRO) is a community based nonprofit organization with the mission of empowering communities 
through abortion access, grassroots health education, and reproductive options. They provide abortion referrals and advocacy, pregnancy options counseling, grassroots health education and self-health workshops that include fertility awareness and cervical self exam. They also have a Woman In Need (WIN) Fund that raises money to help women sidestep barriers to abortion.
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From:
UUA Washington Office of Advocacy
PATHWAY to effective HIV prevention
Because the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is due for reauthorization in 2008, we have a unique opportunity to incorporate the provisions of the Protection Against Transmission of HIV for Women and Youth (PATHWAY) act into PEPFAR reauthorization. Learn more by clicking on
Support Women and Youth in their Struggle with HIV/AIDS: the PATHWAY Act
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From:
The National Council of Jewish Women
January 22nd was the 35th anniversary of the groundbreaking Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision that affirmed a woman's right to reproductive choice. Despite the fact that the majority of Americans support the substance of that Supreme Court decision, the past 35 years have been marked by ongoing and vicious attacks against women's ability to make personal reproductive health choices.
The Freedom of Choice Act takes aim at these attacks. Urge your representative and senators to co-sponsor the Freedom of Choice Act -- legislation that would codify Roe v. Wade and ensure that women's lives and health are protected. It is critical that members of Congress hear from you on this issue: your voice could make the difference for generations of women.
Visit http://www.benchmarkcampaign.org/
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******** UUA Action Campaigns ********
The Washington Office of Advocacy has announced the launch of their online action campaigns, making it easier for us to make our voices heard in the halls of Congress. Visit their website
http://www.uua.org/socialjustice/23188.shtml
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Reproductive Rights for Women in Mexico
We saw the video and heard the speaker Sunday, September 16. It was very moving and eye-opening. In Mexico, abortion is illegal but allowed under specific circumstances which vary state to state. In the state of Guanajuato, abortion is illegal in all cases except for rape– and state legislators have already made an attempt to remove this exception. Find out what you can do to help Centro Las Libres defend the rights of women. Visit the website www.laslibres.org and visit the Freedom for Choice table in Fuller Hall after services. We are selling beautiful greeting cards to raise money for Centro Las Libres.
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VICTORY
for women's rights at the Oregon State Capitol! The Access to Birth Control Act (ABC) bill became law. The law requires insurers who cover prescription drugs to cover prescription contraceptives and requires hospitals to offer emergency contraception to rape victims who seek treatment. It went into effect January 1, 2008. It's about time!
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Americans for the Health and Dignity of Women Everywhere
34 Million Friends of UNFPA was started in 2002 when the Bush Administration first announced they would withhold the $34 million that Congress allocated to UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund). Today the total amount of blocked funds stands at over $125 million. Send a message to Congress telling them to release the funds and be one of 34 million Americans to contribute to our grassroots movement for the women of the world. You can contribute online www.americansforunfpa.org. ($10 minimum).
All contributions are tax deductible.
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UUA Laments Supreme Court Decision on Federal Abortion Ban
On April 18, 2007, the US Supreme Court dealt a devastating blow to women's health by upholding a federal abortion ban in the Gonzales v. Carhart case. In a 5-4 decision, the Supreme Court effectively overturned 30 years of precedent and declared that doctors can no longer perform a safe abortion procedure -- in effect, signaling that women's health is no longer a paramount concern.
This ruling highlights the significance of the Supreme Court's composition. The opinions of those who serve on the Court have a direct impact on women's ability to exercise their constitutional rights, including reproductive freedom. With this decision, the very health and safety of women is now at stake. In response, Congress will consider the Freedom of Choice Act (FOCA), which would codify a women's right to abortion. Read the UUA response to this decision HERE.
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Other Pertinent links:
A Lifelong Commitment to Choice
35 years after Roe v. Wade was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court, the right of a woman to determine whether she will bear a child is in danger of being overturned. Sarah Allison, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, worked to ensure that women would continue to have a choice around reproductive matters. www.uua.org/news/newssubmissions/63142.shtml
- Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell inspired us with her sermon When a Few Make a Difference. That sermon named Margaret Sanger, Founder of Planned Parenthood International, as one who made a difference.
- UUA: Richard Borden Excellence in Sermons Award, The Spiritual Imperative of Choice, delivered by Rev. Krista Taves, Interim, New Orleans
UUA Washington Office of Advocacy, http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/
- Join the National Council of Jewish Women in their crusade to promote women's health, visit http://www.ncjw.org/.
- For all kinds of information and action alerts on our issues, visit: http://www.populationconnection.org/.
Origins of the Freedom for Choice Action Network:
The Freedom for Choice Action Network (FFCAN) came into being in the spring of 2006 when three grandmothers who regularly volunteer for pro-choice groups and are long-time members of First Church decided it was time for the church to get involved in the reproductive justice struggle. Rev. Dr. Marilyn Sewell inspired us with her sermon When a Few Make a Difference. That sermon named Margaret Sanger, Founder of Planned Parenthood International, as one who made a difference.
FFCAN Mission Statement:
We gather to promote and preserve quality of life and freedom of choice by education and advocacy on issues affecting reproductive rights including:
- The environmental, economic and social necessity of family planning;
- Age-appropriate sex education for all children;
- The use and availability of contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancies including the right to choose abortion;
- Medical research and accelerated governmental approval and commercial development of safe and effective means of birth control;
- Government funding and support for family planning programs including those which may offer the choices of contraception and abortion.
Recent areas of focus:
- Regularly staff a table in Fuller Hall on Sundays after services to provide information on ballot measures, candidates and other issues affecting freedom for choice.
- Consistently urge members to write letters to newspapers, sign up for email alerts, and take action when necessary.
- Post notices in the Sunday Bulletin and Front Steps, as necessary.
- Currently working with other pro-choice groups in the area, in the hopes of sponsoring programs and speakers.
Contact info:
Anne Upshaw (aupshaw200@gmail.com)
Maria McMorran (mjmcmorran@gmail.com)
Betsy Riddell (bet_ter@yahoo.com)
Central City Seekers Al-Anon