Greetings and Update from Interim Coordinator

Hi all, I am Virginia Kirk and will be filling in as UUPLAN's consulting outreach coordinator. Let me give you a brief introduction. I am a member of Wellsprings UU in Chester Springs, a longtime UU, and a social worker in Norristown. And a mother to two teenage sons. I'm married to Kevin Donahue, who some in the Philly area might know from his work with Rev. Kent Matthies on MLK Day of Service events.

I am excited about reconnecting my UU social values with my training and connections. I studied social policy while earning an MSS from Bryn Mawr College and have been involved with social justice activities for close to 20 years.

For the last couple of years, I have closely followed the Pennsylvania state budget and had a taste of the legislative session there during my first career as a reporter. I realize it is a critical time to stand up for people whose rights and quality of life are at risk now. Let me tell you a little bit about where UUUPLAN will focus its energy this year.

Our 3 fronts are economic justice, environmental justice and LGBT equality. If you have not already signed up for one or more of the teams, please send me an email so you receive only the messages about the topics that interest you.

ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE -- Rev. Nate Walker of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia will work with Rev. Darcey Laine of the UU Church of Athens and Sheshequin on formulating a new legislative effort around protecting water and assessing impact fees for the drillers of the Marcellus Shale.

GLBT EQUALITY - Rev. Kent Matthies, UUPLAN's past president and minister of the Unitarian Society of Germantown is working with Nisha Nyack on GLBT equality issues.

ECONOMIC JUSTCE - I am assisting the Rev. Sandra Fees of the UU Church of Berks County on economic justice issues. We are concerned about many parts of the budget proposed by Gov. Tom Corbett earlier this month, especially a $300 million cut in cash benefits. From my daily work, I know how many people rely on that average amount of $180 a month to meet their very basic needs. Rev. Sandra intends to email all who signed up to be part of the EJ team to get input on how to best target a message for our legislators to express concern and suggest solutions to the budget issues facing our great state.

This Web site is for you to use. Please feel free to post articles and opinions that will spur us all to think and take action.

I look forward to meeting you and to making a difference, Virginia

Our 3 issues