Posts Tagged ‘Rev. John Crestwell’

A 30-Day Spiritual Journey for Social Justice

No Comments | Share On Facebook| A 30-Day Spiritual Journey for Social Justice Share/Save/Bookmark Nov 27, 2012

The election is behind us, but I’m still smiling when I think of all of the ways love won out at the polls. I’m thrilled that in just a few weeks, same-sex couples will finally begin marrying in my home state of Maryland, and a bill offering in-state tuition for young DREAMers—affirmed by a popular vote—will become law. I’m also really excited by another development that has emerged since November 6th: commitments by both Democrats and Republicans to move forward on comprehensive immigration reform. Within our grasp is the promise of a pathway to citizenship for the millions of undocumented individuals in the United States who currently live in the shadows. This is a tremendous opportunity!

The wheels in my brain are turning as I think about all the ways I might work with local congregations and community leaders to push Congress to make lasting, humane immigration reform a reality. Fatefully, National Standing on the Side of Love Month, our Thirty Days of Love, will begin just as Congress reconvenes in January. Our Thirty Days is a spiritual journey for social justice, and the ideal time for us to lift up our voices together for a law that focuses on real people, and on keeping families together.

Please start thinking now about how you can work with your congregation, local advocacy organizations, and migrant rights groups during the Thirty Days of Love, January 19-February 17, to make a difference.

If you belong to a UU congregation, apply for a Standing on the Side of Love Matching Grant now to support your congregational efforts ahead. Click here to learn more about these grants.

The Fund for UU Social Responsibility makes funds available as matching grants of $500-$1,500 to UU congregations participating in the Standing on the Side of Love campaign. These grants are an ideal way to augment your social justice efforts during the Thirty Days of Love, whether your focus is marriage equality, anti-discrimination laws, or migrant rights. One year, our UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland received a grant that enabled us to make a video showcasing the breadth of religious support for marriage equality, and deliver the video to every legislator in the state. Another year, the grant supported a prayer breakfast for LGBTQ equality right near the State House, with legislators and press invited to participate.

As the New Year approaches, I make commitments to dedicate and rededicate myself to building the beloved community. I ask myself what more I can do for the underprivileged, marginalized, and oppressed. I love that shortly after the New Year we have a dedicated period called Thirty Days of Love where we actively strive to make the world a better place by centering ourselves, connecting with others, examining where we have been and would like to go, and engaging in sharing the love that speaks to our core values.

Please join me in making commitments now for Thirty Days of Love, January 19-February 17. Learn more about Standing on the Side of Love Matching Grants and make a plan to apply for one today. Questions? Email love@uua.org.

In faith,

Rev. John Crestwell
Annapolis, Maryland

The message above went out on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 to Standing on the Side of Love supporters. You can sign-up for these emails here.

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Anticipating SB1070 Hearing, Interfaith Community Launches Prayer Vigil at Supreme Court

No Comments | Share On Facebook| Anticipating SB1070 Hearing, Interfaith Community Launches Prayer Vigil at Supreme Court Share/Save/Bookmark Apr 23, 2012

scotusA 48-hr interfaith vigil in front of the U.S. Supreme Court started today at 10am EST. The Court will begin hearing arguments for and against Arizona’s harsh, anti-immigrant law, SB 1070, this Wednesday.

For the 48 hours leading up to the start of that hearing, representatives from different faith communities are holding prayerful vigil outside, lifting up our voices in hopes that the high court will rule on the side of justice and love for immigrant families. The vigil opened with an interfaith worship led by Rev. John Crestwell of the UU Church of Annapolis. Approximately two dozen people prayed and sang and bore witness as visitors lined up in front of the Supreme Court building for tickets to hear oral arguments.

Other speakers included: Rabbi Noam Marans, Director, Interreligious & Intergroup Relations, American Jewish Committee; Sr. Pat McDermott, RSM, President, Sisters of Mercy of the Americas; Father Peter Lyons, TOR, Franciscan Action Network; and Lisa Sharon Harper, Director of Mobilizing, Sojourners.


Here are Rev. Crestwell’s remarks:

Arizona State Senate Bill SB 1070 is immoral. It is unconstitutional and sets up this state to be an island unto itself and out of union with other states in the Union.

We cannot allow the random stopping of innocent people because they are brown or poor. We must not allow Governor Brewer and the state of Arizona to play politics with people’s lives. This law is against the will of God. The God I know is a God of love and understanding.

SB 1070 is a race-based law that takes us backward, not forward. I think of Jim Crow and Plessy v. Ferguson when I think of this law. It’s an oppressive law and I urge the United State Supreme Court to strike down this irresponsible piece of legislation!

As a Unitarian Universalist minister, I believe in the inherent worth and dignity of all. This worth includes our Latino brothers and Latina sisters who are being undeniably discriminated against with SB 1070. My prayer is that this bigoted law be overturned. I stand on the side of love and justice, not on the side of hatred and fear.



Staff from the UUA Washington Office are also joining in the vigil. If you’re in the DC area, it’s not too late to join us. Unitarian Universalists are SCOTUS2scheduled to lead the prayer vigil from 4pm to 6 pm EST tomorrow, Tuesday. At 5:00 pm, leaders from Arizona will be joining the vigil to share their own stories about the impact SB1070 has had on their families and community.

On Wednesday, the day the Court starts hearing arguments, at 9:30 am, we will march around the Supreme Court in a Jericho March. Participants should wear white (at least a white top). This leads into the Rally for Justice and Unity at 11 am EST.

For more information, email UUA Witness Ministries Director Rev. Craig Roshaven at croshaven@uua.org.

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Unitarian Universalists in Maryland Lead Interfaith Efforts to End Marriage Discrimination

5 Comments | Share On Facebook| Unitarian Universalists in Maryland Lead Interfaith Efforts to End Marriage Discrimination Share/Save/Bookmark Feb 22, 2011

Things are heating up in the Old Line State, also known as Maryland, also known as the Free State.

After years of working to end marriage discrimination, equality is finally in sight.

Unitarian Universalists are playing a leading role in these efforts. Two weeks ago, the UU Church of Annapolis hosted a press conference for interfaith leaders, announcing support for the legislation.

Rev. Lisa Ward of the UU Fellowship of Harford County presented testimony on the bill in the State Senate, telling legislators:

I stand with many colleagues, of many faiths, who know God’s presence is in the dignity, freedom and fidelity of loving couples and recognize same-sex marriage as equally sacred to heterosexual marriage.

On National Standing on the Side of Love Day, the UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland delivered more than 1,000 Valentines to legislators asking for their support of the Religious Freedom and Civil Marriage Protection Act.

Standing on the Side of Love Campaign Manager Dan Furmansky is working full-time to help Equality Maryland prepare for the Senate vote and the hearing in the house.

The UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland applied for a Standing on the Side of Love grant to augment their efforts to reach legislators. Here is a video initiated by the UULM that they are sharing with legislators and faith communities:

Rev. John Crestwell of the UU Church of Annapolis is preparing to testify this Friday during the hearing in the House of Delegates.

Stay tuned – the Maryland Senate will likely vote up or down on the marriage bill by the end of this week!

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Tip of the Iceberg

No Comments | Share On Facebook| Tip of the Iceberg Share/Save/Bookmark Feb 08, 2011

Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr. is the Associate Minister at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis

The message below went out to Standing on the Side of Love supporters on Tuesday, February 1, 2011. You can sign-up for these emails here.

This coming February 14, we have the unique opportunity to be connected to tens of thousands of people across the country who will re-imagine Valentine’s Day as National Standing on the Side of Love Day — a holiday of love and acceptance of all people. Together, we will answer the call to justice.

Here in Annapolis, National Standing on the Side of Love Day carries a sense of urgency as well as opportunity. The prospects for passing legislation to protect transgender Marylanders from employment and housing discrimination are better than ever, and a bill to end marriage discrimination against same-sex couples could start moving through the Senate as early as this week.

On February 14th, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis will welcome Equality Maryland and other pro-LGBT faith leaders to our church to kick off a day of lobby visits with legislators, and a rally in front of the State House. Our UU Legislative Ministry of Maryland will coordinate the delivery of pro-LGBT civil rights Valentine’s Day cards to senators and delegates. And we will gather footage for a video of personal stories demonstrating why discriminating against another because of sexual orientation is inhumane. A few days later, we will deliver the video to all of Maryland’s 188 legislators.

Our activities in Maryland coincide with more than 100 events across the country. And the breadth of events is truly stunning!

If you have not yet registered your event, please do so today. Join a network of thousands across the country who celebrate February 14th as an opportunity to harness love’s power to overcome oppression.

Join with us and add your event to the online map of events re-imagining Valentine’s Day.

On and around February 14th, several congregations across the country will address the recent string of suicides by LGBT-identified young people in an assortment of ways: holding screenings of “the Laramie Project,” holding proms for same-sex couples, and filming videos for the “It Gets Better” YouTube channel. In Long Island, members of a congregation will sign and send Valentine’s Day cards to Congressman Pete King, expressing concern that his hearings on the “radicalization” of American Muslims are creating unfounded fear in communities. In Arizona, congregations will set up phone banks to contact the Obama Administration, asking for an end to programs that instill fear in our communities and break up families by enlisting local police to enforce federal immigration law. And in Rhode Island, Minnesota, New Mexico, and Virginia, people will join rallies for LGBT civil rights, and even apply for marriage licenses to protest marriage discrimination.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, and it’s not too late to join us.

Visit our events calendar to see what’s happening near you, and don’t forget to register your event.

In faith,

Rev. John T. Crestwell, Jr.
Associate Minister
Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis

P.S. UUA Pres. Rev. Peter Morales has written a lovely prayer to commemorate National Standing on the Side of Love Day that you can share in your congregations and online. Click here to read it.

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