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UU couple files suit over foster care denial
Eden Rogers and Brandy Welch, members of the Greenville UU Church in Greenville, South Carolina, have filed a lawsuit against the Trump Administration, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster, and the state’s Department of Social Services. Their application to become foster parents was summarily dismissed by a faith-based foster care agency because they are a same-sex couple and Unitarian Universalist; the agency received a religious exemption that allows them to exclude applicants on the basis of religion and sexual orientation. (Greenville News, 5.30.19)
Sanctuary guest granted deferred action
After spending nearly 600 days living in sanctuary in the UU Church of Meriden, Connecticut, Sujitno Sajuti was granted deferred action and returned home. In a statement he said, “I have spent the past weeks in sanctuary observing the holy month of Ramadan, isolated and unable to join with others in prayer. . . . I have reflected on the first two parts of Ramadan, which are times for mercy and forgiveness. It is fitting that during this third and final stage of Ramadan, salvation from Hell, I am leaving my long period of confinement and am finally free to rejoin my community.” (Record-Journal, 5.31.19)
Kansas minister leads protest against Medicaid expansion impasse
After GOP leaders refused to address Medicaid expansion, the Rev. Sarah Oglesby-Dunegan of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Topeka, Kansas, led a protest that disrupted the last day of the state senate’s annual legislative session. “Too many people have had loved ones die because they haven’t had access to health insurance,” Oglesby-Dunegan said. (Wichita Eagle, 5.29.19)