Reproductive Justice
REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE
“Reproductive Rights are Human Rights. Reproductive Rights include comprehensive, values-based sex education, access to effective birth control and quality prenatal care, the right to carry a pregnancy to term, and the right to choose abortion.”
Statement of Conscience adopted by the DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church
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Reproductive Justice is a group of church members whose task is to implement actions that support the Statement of Conscience above. We meet every second Thursday of the month, usually at 7:00 PM in the church. Please feel free to join us some evening (be sure to check this page for any changes in schedule). Your ideas and energy are very welcome. Also feel free to contact any of the group members: Susan Schillmoeller, Jean McCollum, Sandy Gustafson, Mary Kullman, Jane Blumen-Quamme, Erica Grande-Taylor and Emmy Lou Belcher.
Our current plans include having guest speakers at forums, activities to mark the 40th anniversary of Roe vs. Wade, arranging pro choice support at the next anti choice rally in the spring, plans to hold a reproductive justice workshop in the spring (with an eye towards forming a group that includes other churches in the community), developing ways to keep ourselves informed about pending legislation. You can get some information on legislative actions to take now by using the UUA links at http://www.uua.org/reproductive/action/index.shtml
Keep checking this page for updates and details.
We are also participating in the efforts of the UUA to compose and implement a Statement of Conscience on Reproductive Justice for the whole denomination. The issue has been selected for study by the last General Assembly – Reproductive Justice: Expanding Our Social Justice Calling (Congregational Study/ Action Issue for 2012-2016). More info at this link: http://www.uua.org/reproductive/calling/index.shtml
A brief history of our development ………………
The Reproductive Rights, Health and Education Task Force was created in December 2007 after the Public Ministry Committee (PMC) determined that a Statement of Conscience was required to take public action on issues pertaining to reproductive rights. PMC called for a study process designed to educate and inform the congregation. The study process was intended to encourage reflection, allow for feedback, and respect multiple viewpoints.
The Task Force began meeting soon after. Events including services, forums and world cafés were planned and implemented. Information was included in newsletters and in Factoids in orders of service. An extensive survey gathered opinions from members of the congregation. Special consideration was given to the inclusion of all voices on this topic. At the November 10, 2009 Board meeting, the Board voted for creating a Statement of Conscience on reproductive rights.
The Task Force drafted the Statement of Conscience, with the intention of conducting a vote in the early months of 2010. A forum with the topic "Getting Out The Vote Can Be Fun!" was held in January and church members voted via paper ballots between January 31, 2010 and February 28, 2010.
Thanks to all who voted during our Statement of Conscience campaign. An amazing 89% of DUUC members voted in support. The Statement passed!. The Reproductive Justice group was formed to implement the statement of conscience. In the years following we have sponsored forums, had a banner created bearing the SOC, organized Unitarian pro choice vigils at a Planned Parenthood site and marched in the Wheaton Labor Day parade.