Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal

The Center's Spring Newsletter is now available!

Click here to find out what we have be up to here in New Orleans in 2014: 

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Happy New Year, Beloveds!

We invite you to join the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal in 2014 for a year of transformational learning. Service learning journeys, trainings, pilgrimages, ethical lunches, and many more ways to be a part of the work. Contact volunteer@celsjr.org to join us!

It is with great sadness that the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal shares with you the news of the passing of Mrs. Lanette Williams Lee. Many of you worked with Lanette and know how much of herself she put into  creating and sustaining the Teche Street Community Garden on the Westbank. Lanette held classes so that members of her community had the opportunity to learn to cook healthier food and be educated on organic and more nutritious food choices. She held events for her neighborhood such as the Art Walk and the Garden Tea Party, giving friends and neighbors fun and educational events to take part in. Lanette has hosted many Nights Out on Crime, engaging her community in active, healthy lifestyles.  The Center had just worked with her on creating a Facebook page for all of the many projects she was working on: http://www.facebook.com/lanette.williams.7545?ref=ts&fref=ts

She was a fierce advocate for justice and joy, as well as a most loving friend and colleague.  Lanette has been an inspiration to all and her positivity and optimism was contagious.  Her legacy will continue to open our eyes to helping our neighbors live full and positive lives. We miss her dearly.

November 10-12, 2012
Benefit Concert, Joint Music Service, and
Tri-Church Ordination of Deanna Vandiver

As Tamara Murray, President of North Shore UU, wrote, “I need to break out my thesaurus just to find enough words to describe how wonderful this past weekend was!  It was truly magnificent—all three UU events were just superb.”  Emma’s Revolution and Gina Forsyth played at the concert on the evening of Saturday November 10th.  If you were unable to attend, please check out their music—all three women are awesome musicians.  Emma’s Revolution’s music has very powerful messages of love and social justice and is truly inspiring.  Thanks so much to everyone who helped put the concert together—including Gay Digiovanni, who coordinated the concert but was unable to attend herself!  This successful concert covered expenses and raised money for the work of the Center for Ethical Living and Social Justice Renewal as well as for First Church’s kitchen.

Sunday’s GNOUU annual music service on November 11th was held at CCUU and featured the choirs of all three congregations, as well as special performances by trumpeter Eric Ensminger (Rev. Melanie’s husband), bassist Jacques Joshua, and pianist Rick Fortner (visiting from All Souls UU, Tulsa, OK).  Many thanks to all who participated in this joyful service, especially the choir members and the three choir directors:  Bennett Britt (CCUU), Betsy McGovern (FUUNO), and Melissa Rousseaux (NSUU).

The tri-congregational ordination and celebration of The Rev. Deanna Vandiver took place on Monday evening.  Words cannot describe just how meaningful and extraordinary the ordination service was.  Rev. Deanna is such a special person and it is not surprising that there were ministers from all over the country as well as Emma’s Revolution and Gina Forsyth who wanted to be here for her ordination. All three congregations are grateful to Deanna for being part of our GNOUU community and allowing us to be part of her journey to become an ordained minister.  Thanks go to so many who helped make this occasion so wonderful, including UUA and district representatives, ministers, family, and friends who came in from around the country, members who opened their homes for out of town guests, and all who participated or volunteered in multiple ways to make sure that the event went off without a hitch!  Special thanks goes to our culinary magicians Chefs Jyaphia Christos-Rogers and Amina Dada and Deanna’s “Dream Team” organizers – Marilyn Malone and Gail Grob (NSUU), Liz Trotter (CCUU), and Camille Tucker (FUUNO).

Last, but certainly not least, a big thank you to everyone who attended these events and demonstrated your dedication to our faith and our greater UU Community.