The Upper Connecticut River Valley Chapter of Americans United is hosting the third of its series of monthly discussions on First Freedom First topics. This month's discussion is on "Reproductive Health." Our freedom to make choices concerning our own health in keeping with our personal beliefs is endangered by public officials who seek to impose narrow religious views into law and public policy. Our "first freedom" will be preserved only by safeguarding separation of church and state and protecting religious liberty. A short film will be shown. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, please call 802-649-1496 or email americansunitedvt-nh@hotmail.com

The West Suburban Chicago Americans Chapter will hold a meeting with guest speaker Dena Sher. Sher is an Equal Justice Works Fellow in the Legal Department of Americans United. Her project focuses on the faith-based initiative, and as a result of her research, in September, AU filed a case, Christianson v. Leavitt, challenging federal grants provided to a faith-based marriage counseling organization. Sher will discuss this important case and other cases AU has filed challenging the faith-based initiative, including the Iowa prison case. The meeting will take place at the Naperville City Hall at 400 South Eagle Street. Sign in and coffee starts at 7. The talk will begin at 7:30. This meeting is free and open to the public. All are invited and encouraged to attend. For more information, please contact the chapter at: wscchapter@aol.com

Atheists and Other Freethinkers of Sacramento will host a free showing of the new First Freedom First campaign video followed by a discussion of possible strategies to pursue in select areas of interest to the audience. The gathering is free and open to the public. Moderator is Mynga Futrell, Ph.D., of Chapter 19 of Americans United and a member of AU's National Advisory Council.

Keep your week moving and hit the neighborhood to get people talking about First Freedom First! Today, take an hour at your favorite hang-out to chat with folks about blocking efforts to legislate religion (gasp!). Ask them if they’d like to sign the petition – they might just love you for it. Trust us, the entertainment will be thrilling – and you’ll be helping to safeguard the separation of church and state and protect religious liberty. We’ll send you everything you need. Conversation starters, stickers, buttons, petitions – all the things people like most about First Freedom First.

Holly Hollman, General Counsel for the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty in Washington, D.C. will discuss "What Will Become of Religious Freedom in the 21st Century?" Her remarks will be followed by a panel discussion featuring: - Dr. Ronald B. Flowers, Emeritus Professor of Religion, Texas Christian University - Rabbi Ralph Mecklenburger, Beth-El Congregation, Fort Worth - Rev. Tom Plumbley, Senior Minister, First Christian Church, Fort Worth - Dr. Mark G. Toulouse, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University There will be time for questions and answers from the audience.

Americans United national staff will be collecting signatures at the Women's Equality Summit. Please stop by the First Freedom First booth to sign the petition and pick up brochures and stickers for your friends. For more information about the summit, please visit: http://www.ncwo.pbwiki.com/Agenda

Keep your week moving and hit the neighborhood to get people talking about First Freedom First! Email questions@firstfreedomfirst with the subject ‘volunteer day’ for details.

 

Today, take an hour at your favorite hang-out to chat with folks about blocking efforts to legislate religion (gasp!). Ask them if they’d like to sign the petition – they might just love you for it.

 

Trust us, the entertainment will be thrilling – and you’ll be helping to safeguard the separation of church and state and protect religious liberty.

Come join the Nebraska Chapter of Americans United for a panel discussion on some major issues regarding the separation of church and state. Four of our board members will lead discussions on: The Ball Is In Their Court A discussion of a case before the US Supreme Court testing whether a taxpayer has standing to petition the government regarding funding of religious endeavors. Rick Spellman Associate General Counsel, UNMC What Were They Thinking A brief look at the religious, political and social factors influencing the framers of our constitution. Dennis Rourke Director of Risk Management, First Data Corporation

You are cordially invited to attend "Religion in the Public School and Community." This debate-styled program will be moderated by Marvin D. Nathan, Chair of the Anti-Defamation League's National Civil Rights Committee, and will include the following keynote speakers and panelists: Keynote Speakers: Barry Lynn, Americans United for Separation of Church and State Kelly Shackelford, Free Market Foundation Panelists: Kathy Miller, Texas Freedom Network Kelly Coghlan, Attorney Holly Hollman, Baptist Joint Committee Topics will include religious practices and accommodations in the public schools, vouchers, efforts to introduce Bible electives into the public schools, and efforts to teach Intelligent Design in the public schools, among other things.

The Upper Connecticut River Valley Americans United Chapter will host the second of three stimulating, fun sessions discussing our first freedom - religion - as well as related contemporary issues. Session leaders will be Susan Buckholz, a Vermont attorney practicing in Quechee, and Alan Roughton, a third-year student at Vermont Law School who has been focusing on constitutional law and civil rights. The session will be appropriate for high school students and adults. The session is free and open to the public. RSVPs and donations are appreciated. To RSVP or for more information including directions, please contact the chapter at: americansunitedvt-nh@hotmail.com

Leaders of the Americans United Sacramento Chapter will lead a workshop at the California Federation of Teachers Women's Rights Conference. The workshop is entitled, "When Religion and Government Say 'I Do': Does This Union Pass Constitutional Muster?" Americans United will also have a table at the conference. Please stop by the booth to sign the First Freedom First petition and to pick up brochures and stickers for your friends. You can find out more about the conference at: http://www.cft.org/home_news/cftwrc307.html