Support & Action in These Troubling Times

Suddenly our government doesn’t feel protective to us any longer. We fear for ourselves and for our neighbors and friends. So many of us feel helpless to make any kind of meaningful change. At Immanuel we are holding forums on Saturdays in which we can support each other and think of ways we can help. We’ve held a few rallies at the corner of Farmington and Woodland so that others driving by can see that we are protesting the unfair and illegal actions being taken by the new administration. The power we have is fueled by God’s abundant love and the LOVE we have for each other. And that’s a mighty powerful way to affect the world.

This page has been created and is updated regularly to hold resources for plans in the future to continue our Stand Outs, our Support & Actions Groups, and any other information.

**SUPPORT & ACTION SATURDAYS**
IN **AUGUST** WE WILL HOLD SATURDAY MEETINGS ON **AUGUST 9** and **AUGUST 23**.
We'll be in Immanuel's Fellowship Hall from 10am to 11:30am to support each other and to support the people and the laws at risk under the new federal executive orders and actions. Come at 9:45am for refreshments and conversation. Please consider inviting a friend. **ALL ARE WELCOME**!
We invite advocates and folks who make “good trouble” to join us and share their work. Folks want to hear from the ACLU, IndivisibleCT, Derek Slap, Journey Home, the Health Collective and others. Email Nancy Rion if there are others you would like to hear from. We continue to try to arrange for Chris Murphy and William Tong to come to Immanuel for a larger community gathering/town hall event.
**Questions:** Contact **Anne Stanback** at annestanback@gmail.com or **Dr. Jay Terbush** at jayterbush@outlook.com

**NO KINGS DAY - June 16th at the Capitol.**

“These are tough times – unimaginable for most of us – and so sad. It’s important for our mental health to focus on loving acts of kindness, hugs and ice cream, chocolate, flowers, children – whatever works for you. Prepare yourself for a marathon, not a sprint. Take care of yourself.”

— Nancy Rion

**WHAT YOU CAN DO:**
**Contact your legislators:**
**https://5calls.org** : app makes calling really easy - also suggests issues and scripts.
**Best to Call** (better than email, letters or petitions.) Call frequently — once a week is good; once a day is terrific. If you leave a message, include your street address and zip code.
**Murphy**: 202-224-4041 or CT office 860-549-8463
**Blumenthal**: 202-224-9673 or CT office 860-258-6940
**Larson**: 202-225-2265 or CT office 860-278-8888

We noted the Trump administration’s freeze on FY25 education funds ($6 billion nationally) cost Connecticut over $50M, cutting after-school, ESL, and workforce programs. Hartford could lose $2.7M, threatening services for low-income, multilingual, and adult learners. As promised, here is the link to the details:

Analysis of Withheld Federal Funding

Notes: These upcoming actions and multiple resources have been compiled compliments of Kristen Boucher, in collaboration with Nancy Rion, Dr. Jay, Jim Boucher, and the wonderful folks who come to the Saturday Support & Action Group.
Give them some special love when you see them!

ACTIONS TO TAKE / UPCOMING EVENTS

Every Saturday morning 10-11:30 West Hartford green (Farmington & Main St.)

LOCAL:

August 9th Hiroshima-Nagasaki Remembrance. A shared call for nuclear weapon abolition. 7-9pm Quaker Meeting House.
August 9th: Saturday Gathering at Immanuel Congregational Church 10-11:30 am

NATIONAL:

August 13th. One Million Rising: Strategic Non-Cooperation to Fight Authoritarianism to register and find more information
Future dates - we will be on the lookout for events on Labor Day.
September 21, Nationwide Environmental event “Sun Day” Solar power.

Call or email Governor Lamont (860-566-4840 and governor.lamont@ct.gov) urging him to sign HB 5002 addressing housing and homelessness.

A question was raised at the Saturday meeting for future consideration: Would some of the participants be interested in a book study? (see 2 new books added to Resources below).

RESOURCES

Let us know if you’re interested in reading any of these – as a separate book discussion group. We could help organize if someone wants to lead such a group.

Steve Oney, author of "On Air: The Triumph and Tumult of NPR," joins us to explain the ups and downs NPR has faced since the early 1970s and what recent federal funding cuts mean for the network. Shared by Lisa, Richard.
Podcast: The Way Out is In - Inspired by the Buddhist monk Thích Nhất Hạnh, co‑hosted by Brother Pháp Hữu and Jo Confino. Shared by Liz
Interfaith Alliance - denouncement of Trump shared by Barbara
Blessing for Anger by Brian McClaren – shared by Kathleen can be found here: Center for Action and Contemplation- Daily Meditations- Wisdom in and Age of Outrage
Still I Rise, by Maya Angelou shared by Carmen
Seedlings Newsletter, “Preaching Green”. Diane Benner shared some thoughts of Bill McKibben from this Seedlings newsletter
Indivisible CT: Hartford area group. It’s easy to join: search Indivisible CT on Facebook.
NYTimes: The irreconcilable difference between Trumpian politics and Christianity - https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/opinion/trump-republicans-christians.html?smid=em-share
Follow Bishop Barber’s Moral Mondays that are traveling south through 11 states, beginning on July 14 in Memphis, TN They will visit local offices of Congress members in all 11 states. You can watch a livestream from Memphis.
Check the website Home of the Brave where people can share their stories and look at stories that have been shared by others impacted by the Trump administration's policies.
***Let us know if you’re interested in reading any of these books below – as a separate book discussion group. We could help organize if someone wants to lead such a group.***

Book: “Money Lies & God - Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy” (2025) - Katherine Stewart.
Book: “See No Stranger - A Memoir and Manifesto of Revolutionary Love” (2020) - Valarie Kaur. “A revolution of the heart. A new way of being and seeing that leaves no one outside our circle of care. A love without limit.” Visit ValarieKaur.com. Perhaps some of us who attend the Immanuel Saturday meetings might commit ourselves to read the book and consider embracing Ms. Kaur’s call to action! - Nancy Rion.
Book: “Pete and Pickles” Berkeley Breathed
Book: “The Violent Take by Force” by Matthew Taylor (Christian nationalism)
Jessica Craven’s Blog recommends daily actions: https://chopwoodcarrywaterdailyactions.substack.com
Mobilize - shows virtual events, e.g. phone banking, texting, meetings, etc., on this platform. The filter option allows you to select a tactic, e.g. phone banking, and other options.
Actions You Can Take Now - phone calls to your members of Congress on specific issues
Website for executive actions: https://www.courtwatch.news/p/lawsuits-related-to-trump-admin-executive-orders

Many of us get daily emails from Heather Cox Richardson and Robert Hubbell. Both are well researched with lots of links – but you can also read for a good overview of what’s happened the day before. Hubbell tends to remind us to keep the news in perspective and breathe!

PAST EVENTS

March 14 we held another STAND UP! event in front of Immanuel Congregational Church. A total SUCCESS! Lots of enthusiasm for the motorists passing by in rush hour afternoon traffic!

March 14, 2025 in front of Immanuel