Justice and Love in Action Team
2023 has been another very busy year for our team! We have seen national and international issues play out in Framingham, and we have responded. Together, we have tried to be attentive to our community, locally and internationally, and to learn about issues as they arise. We have helped address our community’s immediate needs, build stronger relationships, and advocate towards greater justice and love.
We have had some shifts in the makeup of our group. We celebrate years of thoughtful contributions by Mary Memmott and Liz Garrigan-Byerly! The world is definitely better because of their consistent dedication and creativity in changemaking. We also welcomed Grace Gamez to the team and we’re very grateful for the perspective she has already added with her deep experience and knowledge of justice issues. We would be happy to have any others who are interested join the crew!
Guest speakers in 2023
- Rev. Noah Brewer-Wallin, Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for our UCC conference,
preached near Earth Day and led a conversation after the service.
- Rev. Darryl Goodwin, Executive Conference Minister, gave the sermon in October and led a reflection
conversation after the service.
- Pastor Teresa Gonzalez of El Toque del Maestro, the Spanish-speaking community who used to share our
campus, preached.
- Edwards and Plymouth Church members presented about their service trips to Kenya and Tanzania, at
joint services.
- Heather Gonzalez shared reflections upon her return from the General Synod, which she attended as a
first-time delegate. After the service, members brainstormed how we might make some of the social justice resolutions passed at Synod a reality here.
MLK breakfast: Members again attended and were inspired by this event, organized by Greater Framingham Community Church.
Palm Sunday celebration: We jointly planned the gathering with El Toque del Maestro. Together we shared a parade, refreshments, pony rides and bilingual fellowship.
Support for a local Brazilian woman after a hateful attack: We participated in a rally, delivered a basket of care items, and visited with her family. We wrote a public letter of support for our immigrant community which was published by the MetroWest Daily News.
Sacred Ally Quilts showing and events: We were honored to co-host a visit of the stunning quilts that memorialize the final words of George Floyd, made by Dr. Harriot Ward and other church members in New Hampshire. Karen Nell and JLIA coordinated 3 days of activities around the public viewing. Speakers included Liz Garrigan-Byerly, Grace Gamez, Mallory Hanora of Families for Justice As Healing, and Darryl Goodwin; Willie Sordillo’s ensemble performed; and we collected postcards opposing the building of a new women’s prison and in support of free phone calls for the incarcerated.
Walk for Hunger: Mary Memmott led an Edwards contingent in walking (and biking), raising over $1,000 to address hunger throughout Massachusetts.
Visit to Sunrise School in Kenya: Debbie, Fran, Karen Nell, and Peggy visited a school for autistic learners in Kenya. They shared their sewing, yoga and photography talents with the children and staff. They also brought gifts of quilts made by our congregation and shared their experiences afterwards with Edwards and Plymouth Church.
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Workshop on using money to support antiracist values: We coordinated an interactive event led by Sarah Deluca and attended by community members from various congregations and temples. We were challenged to consider the impact of our individual actions around spending, saving, and contributing so that they more consistently align with our values.
Hosted the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Association: We hosted and participated in MIRA’s regional meeting at Edwards in May. Leaders reported on current work, challenges, and the expectation of increasing arrivals of refugees from Haiti and Venezuela.
Juneteenth in Framingham: Our church donated to support this third annual event and helped to coordinate it along with Rick Utaegbulam of Community Vibes. We also helped with a Community Vibes event to distribute back-to-school supplies on the south side of Framingham.
Support for refugees in Framingham: Beginning in the summer, over 200 Haitians arrived in our city. We immediately helped provide a meal for the first wave of families before systems were set up to help. As weeks went by, we worked with Jewish Family Services to host a joyful meal and dance lesson. Members hosted 5 Haitian families for short term stays in their homes and a Venezuelan family for weeks, and we welcomed some of these people to our Sunday services. Debbie helped coordinate efforts to get winter clothing for many staying in hotels, with outreach and participation through Framingham’s interfaith association. We clothed five families and individual Edwards families clothed three more. In addition, we helped collect more clothing for the WAMS (Worcester Area Mission Society) drive to get clothing to refugees throughout the state. LeeAnn Friedman and Peggy Harrison are teaching ESL classes to those living in a hotel, and we received a grant from Massachusetts Women’s Home Missionary Union to enable the hiring of a teacher to enhance their efforts.
Letters of support to Jewish temples and Muslim mosques: After the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas and the subsequent bombings of Gaza, we wrote letters of support to members of our community. We continue to look for ways to stand up against both antisemitism and the genocide of the people of Gaza, and to support the many people gravely impacted locally.
Friendsgiving Shabbat: Members of Edwards attended this dinner and gathering organized by Temple Beth Shalom, deepening important interfaith relationship building.
Christmas gift cards for families living in the Pathways: Edwards families contributed over $1,000 so that families in a local shelter could buy gifts. Ronda coordinated this effort.
Gifts that Give coffee hour: Fran Bogle coordinated tables selling items to support Tree of Life, A Place to Turn, Southborough Safe Space, Equal Exchange, the Sunrise School, Just Peace Players, and Families for Justice as Healing. Nearly $1,500 was raised to support these important causes!
Epiphany service around immigration: We organized this special service with Plymouth Church and two UCC churches in Natick. Although we had to move the event online because of a snowstorm, over 100 households tuned in. Liz Garrigan-Byerly preached and leaders from all participating churches contributed to the service. They challenged us to reflect on the reality of migration throughout time as a natural phenomenon, and to question all kinds of borders that separate us as essential problems. Starting the new year in this way, we hope to continue the partnership in 2024.
Coordinating financial gifts and contributions:
We supported local organizations through the allocation of the Edwards budget directed to giving to others.
UCC Mass Conference ($14,000)
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Leadership Level ($1,000-3,000)
- Families for Justice as Healing
- Greater Framingham Community Church (sponsored for youth programming)
- Muslim Justice League
- Open Spirit
- LGBT Asylum Support Task Force
Ally ($400-900)
- Casa del Trabajador (MetroWest Worker Center)
- MetroWest Free Medical Program
- OUT MetroWest
- Stearns Farm
Supporter ($200)
- Facing History and Ourselves
- Hospitality Common
- MA Interfaith Power and Light
- Programs for People
- Roxbury Presbyterian Church’s Social Impact Center
- Southborough Safe Space
- Parkinson’s Walk and Ride
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention MetroWest
A little more than $8,000 was collected through monthly special offerings to help support more immediate crisis and need within our community and throughout the world.