unitarian universalists in the media

A 'Jeopardy!' champ, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 17:31:00 +0000

Oregon UU a 'Jeopardy!' champion

Amy Wilson, a UU from Portland, Ore., was the "Jeopardy!" champion on April 20. During her on-air conversation with host Alex Trebek, she mentioned that she had visited Transylvania with her UU church. I don’t know of anywhere to watch the episode on the Internet, but there's a very brief "hi there" video from Wilson online. She also wrote about her experience and how she'll spend her prize money on the Jeopardy Winners' Blog. (Jeopardy.com - 4.22.10)

Baby Boomer religion, church vandals, and more

David Traupman, a UU, is featured in this story about Baby Boomers seeking self-fulfillment from their religions. (MiamiHerald.com - 4.16.10)

For the second time in several weeks, vandals tore down the rainbow flag from the outside of the First Parish Church, UU, in Bridgewater, Mass. (Enterprise News - 4.16.10)

See also:
Church's Rainbow Flag Target For Vandals (WCVB-TV - 4.16.10)
Rainbow flag flown higher after vandalism at Bridgewater church (Wicked Local - 4.20.10)

The Rev. Peter Hughes, a retired Unitarian minister who has post-polio syndrome, spoke to Ontario lawmakers who are debating changes in the Elections Act about the importance of making voting accessible to all. (healthzone.ca - 4.20.10)

The Rev. Erica Baron, consulting minister at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bennington, Vt., writes about standing together "in love and solidarity." (Bennington Banner - 4.16.10)

The Rev. John Martin, minister of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Bellville, Ohio, asks: "Which side are you on?" (Mansfield News Journal - 4.17.10)

The Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz, a former executive director of Amnesty International USA and former president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, comments on President Obama's human rights record. (Minneapolis Star Tribune - 4.15.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Fairhaven, Mass., was recently awarded Green Sanctuary status by the UUA, a goal it has been working toward since 2007. (South Coast Today - 4.17.10)

The Comal County Unitarian Universalist Society in New Braunfels, Tex., is aiming to become a Green Sanctuary. (Herald Zeitung - 4.18.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington, Ky., took part in a large interfaith Earth Day event. (Lexington Herald Leader - 4.17.10)

UUs protest Palin event, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:26:00 +0000

UUs protest at Palin-Tea Party event

Sarah Palin and the Tea Party made an appearance on the Boston Common--just a short walk from UUA headquarters--attracting large crowds of supporters. Plenty of UUs, particularly representatives from the Standing on the Side of Love campaign, were on hand to voice their opposition and speak to the press. (Boston Herald - 4.14.10)

See also:
Area residents among crowd wowed at tea party in Hub (Sun Chronicle - 4.15.10)

Palin rallies tea partiers with anti-tax message (The State - 4.14.10)

Tea party rally attracting dissatisfied voters of every persuasion (The Salem News - 4.14.10)

Film about UU minister wins award

Nashville Public Television chose Raw Faith, the personal portrait of First Unitarian Church of Portland, Ore., minister Marilyn Sewell, as the 2010 Human Spirit Award winner at the Nashville Film Festival.

Holocaust survivors, historic UUs, and more

In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, several UU churches hosted talks by those who lived through the events. Martha Kranzthor-Osvat, a Holocaust survivor, shared her story with the First Unitarian Society of of Milwaukee, Wisc. And Hanz Kautzky spoke to a group at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Geneva, Ill., about his escape from a Nazi concentration camp at age 15. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - 4.10.10, Aurora Beacon News - 4.12.10)

Unitarians, including the Rev. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (1823—1911), appear in this article about a historical incident that made Bostonians stop criticizing slavery and actually do something to stop it. (Boston Globe - 4.11.10)

The Rev. Tess Baumberger, minister of the Unity Church of North Easton, Mass., writes about how the democratic process and the values UUs affirm each week, create a sanctuary. (Stoughton Journal - 4.11.10)

About 50 students attended the 15th annual Youth Empowerment Conference held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury, Conn. (Danbury News Times - 4.9.10)

Glenn Beck on Obama's grandparents, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 14:28:00 +0000

Glenn Beck on Obama's UU grandparents

Fox News's Glenn Beck points to President Barack Obama's grandparents' former membership at the East Shore Unitarian Church in Bellevue, Wash., as some sort of guilt-by-association proof that Obama is a socialist or Communist. You can read a transcript here. (Fox News)

This isn't the first time Obama's link to Unitarian Universalism has come up in UUs in the Media. In August 2009 the Rev. Mike Young wrote about an encounter with Obama at his previous church, and in December 2008 the press reported on Obama and his family attending a memorial service for his grandmother at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu.

UUs trade bedroom for great outdoors

The Boston Globe profiles Josh and Terri Shortlidge, members of the Melrose, Mass., Unitarian Universalist Church, who decided to sleep in their backyard for a night last June as part of the National Wildlife Federation’s Great American Backyard Campout--and liked it so much they've kept doing it ever since. (Boston Globe - 4.8.10)

Six-year-olds on religion, an Irish memorial service, and more

Joe Steinberger writes about taking his toddler to services at the First Universalist Church in Rockland, Maine. (The Free Press - 4.1.10)

A group of young children from the Class of 2022, including a 6-year-old UU, talk about their religious beliefs. (StarNewsOnline.com - 4.3.10)

Marriage equality advocates celebrated the one-year anniversary of legal same-sex marriage in Iowa and set goals for the future. (Iowa Independent - 3.31.10)

More than 3,500 names of victims of the Troubles were read aloud at an annual ceremony at the Dublin Unitarian Church in Ireland. (Irish Times - 4.3.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Newark, Del., joined billions of people around the globe in observing Earth Hour. (The News Journal - 4.4.10)

Walkers for a Nuclear Free Future, a group of eight monks and activists on a 43-day walk from Burlington, Vt., to New York City, stopped at the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Kennebunk, Maine. (York Weekly - 4.8.10)

A group of youth from the Unitarian Universalist Congregational Society of Westborough, Mass., is going to help a West Virginia family with home repairs this summer as part of the Appalachia Service Project. (Westborough News - 4.5.10)

The Rev. Paul Britner, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Montgomery, Ala., is participating in an interfaith Holocaust remembrance ceremony. (Montgomery Advertiser - 4.7.10)

The Boston Globe's "Shelf Life" column notes The Antiracism Trainings, a new satirical novel by former UU World editor David Reich (second book listed). (Boston Globe - 4.4.10)

Instead of an egg hunt, the Boulder Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Lafayette, Colo., holds an annual Easter Soup Hunt, in which children find canned goods that get donated to the local food bank. (Daily Camera - 4.4.10)

Here's another story on the Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka in Wayzata, Minn., which I noted last week is suing the city. (Minneapolis Star Tribune - 4.3.10)

Historic church's first Latina minister, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 20:20:00 +0000

Historic church calls first Latina minister

The Boston Globe reports on the First Parish in Cambridge, Mass., which recently called the Rev. Lilia Cuervo as associate minister—the church's first Latina minister in its nearly 400-year history. UUA President Peter Morales, quoted in the story, says the appointment "speaks well to the aspirations of our people." (Boston Globe - 3.30.10)

A minister's brush with Obama, a solar-powered church, and more

In advance of this year's General Assembly in Minneapolis, the Rev. Rob Eller-Isaacs, a senior minister at Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul, Minn., explains to the public what Unitarian Universalism is. (MinnPost.com - 3.30.10)

A community pledge to renounce racism and prejudice, posted on Facebook by the Rev. Cynthia Landrum, minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty, Mich., is gaining fans. (The Jackson Citizen Patriot - 3.30.10)

See also: Jackson Pledge Facebook page

Until a last-minute change of plans, the Rev. Mike Young of the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville, Maine, was scheduled to give the invocation at President Barack Obama's recent appearance in Portland, Maine. (Morning Sentinel - 4.2.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno, Calif., held a dedication ceremony for new solar panels on its roof and grounds, which are now generating almost all of the church's power. (KFSN - 3.28.10)

Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, Pa., donated more than $3,000 to Radnor A Better Chance, one of the community schools of the national A Better Chance program. (Philadelphia Bulletin - 3.28.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Minnetonka in Wayzata, Minn., has filed a lawsuit against the city accusing it of violating a federal law. (KSTP.com - 3.25.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island, Wash., celebrated the legacy of Charles Darwin by presenting a public program about Darwin and his theories. (South Whidbey Record - 3.23.10)

Minister marches for immigration reform, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:48:00 +0000

UU minister urges 'compassionate' immigration reform

PBS's Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly covers a march of tens of thousands of people on the National Mall for humane immigration reform, including the Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd of the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Manassas, Va., who is interviewed at length in the video (she's wearing glasses and a blue patterned stole). (PBS - 3.22.10)

Finding inspiration in spring, supporting the jobless, and more

The Boston Globe reports on the mixed feelings surrounding the installation of a new fiberglass spire, which will house a cell phone antenna, atop the historic First Parish (UU) in Cohasset, Mass. (Boston Globe - 3.22.10)

The Rev. Sandra D. Fitz-Henry, minister of the Murray Unitarian Universalist Church in Attleboro, Mass., writes that spring, a season of rebirth and renewal, reminds us to make a difference with our lives. (Attleboro Sun Chronicle - 3.20.10)

Religious institutions across the greater Boston area, including several Unitarian Universalist churches, have started support programs for the jobless. (Metro.us - 3.23.10)

The Rev. Paul Langston-Daley, minister of the West Valley Unitarian Universalist Church in Glendale, Az., comments on illegal immigration issues in a story about Arizona's move to toughen immigration laws. (Arizona Republic - 3.20.10)

The Rev. Dee Graham, a UU minister in St. Petersburg, Fla., talks about same-sex marriage in an article about how mainstream and progressive churches are reaching out to the GLBT community. (Watermark - 3.17.10)

A report from the Religious Institute--led by the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, a community minister with the Unitarian Church in Westport, Conn.--calling for faith leaders to better meet the sexuality needs of congregants by 2020 continues to draw media attention. (Lawrence Journal World - 3.20.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Area Church at First Parish in Sherborn, Mass., celebrates its 325th anniversary. (Wicked Local Sherborn - 3.24.10)

See also: UUAC celebrates milestones in 325-year history (hometownweekly - 3.18.10)

The First Unitarian Church in Worcester, Mass., celebrates its 225th anniversary. (Worcester Telegram - 3.22.10)

Professor David L. Holmes spoke on the religious beliefs of U.S. presidents James Monroe; George Washington; and Thomas Jefferson, who is generally considered to have held Unitarian values. (Charlottesville Daily Progress - 3.21.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Somerset Hills, N.J., is hoping to move to a new home. (NJ.com - 3.18.10)

Young UU wins GLAAD award, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:48:00 +0000

GLAAD honors 10-year-old UU

Will Phillips, whose family attends the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, Ark., accepted an award at the 21st Annual GLAAD (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) Media Awards in New York on March 13. Phillips was in the media quite a bit last fall after he refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance in his fifth-grade classroom because the Pledge says ‘liberty and justice for all’ but gay and lesbian citizens don't have equal rights. Watch a video of his speech on YouTube. (YouTube - 3.15.10)

See also:

Will Phillips Shines at GLAAD Media Awards (The Advocate - 3.15.10)

Ten-year-old refuses to stand for Pledge of Allegiance (uuworld.org - 11.23.09 )

An abortion doctor speaks out, Interfaith Action Day, and more

In a guest column, the Rev. Roger Butts, minister of the High Plains Church, Unitarian Universalist in Colorado Springs, Colo., responds to a "diatribe against atheists and the causes they organize around." (Colorado Springs Gazette - 3.13.10)

In response to the killing of Kansas abortion provider George Tiller last year, Curtis Boyd, a doctor and Unitarian, has announced that he will now perform third-trimester abortions. (Los Angeles Times - 3.16.10)

Male Call, a column which answers reader questions about dating, relationships, etc., responds to a man who wonders what he can do to make his girlfriend's mother like him more, by asking: "Are you a drug dealer? A Unitarian? Or wait, maybe recently out of prison for drug dealing?" Sorry, did UUs just get compared to drug dealers? (San Jose Mercury News - 3.18.10)

The Rev. Carol McKinley, coordinator of Washington State Unitarian Universalist Voices for Justice, writes about Interfaith Action Day and the belief that "as people of faith and as citizens, our responsibility is to take our traditions’ teachings out of our places of worship and make those values real in the world." (TheNewsTribune.com - 3.13.10)

The Rev. Duane Fickeisen, co-minister of the Unitarian Universalists of the Cumberland Valley in Boiling Springs, Pa., writes about the privileges and challenges of creating meaning from death. (Carlisle Sentinel - 3.11.10)

Herb Silverman, founder and president of the Secular Coalition for America and a member of the Unitarian Church of Charleston, S.C., answers the question "What should pastors do if they no longer hold the defining beliefs of their denomination?" (Washington Post - 3.10)

The Marblehead Reporter interviews Bill Smalley, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead, Mass., about flooding at the church following a major storm that left many people in the area with waterlogged homes. (Marblehead Reporter - 3.15.10)

The insurance policy for the Park Lane Unitarian Chapel in Ashton-in-Makerfield, England, has jumped from £100 to £1,000 after repeated incidents of speeding cars crashing into a wall around its property. (Halesowen News - 3.14.10)

The Rev. Robert Hughes, consulting minister at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Frederick, Md., is interviewed in an article about the increase in abuse of senior citizens and offers some helpful advice. (WTOP - 3.14.10)

A crowd of about 50 people attended a workshop on “Raising chickens for eggs and meat in your backyard,” which was put on by the Green Sanctuary Project of the First Church Unitarian in Littleton, Mass. (Littleton Independent - 3.11.10)

The Rev. Timothy Temerson is installed as the new pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Fairlawn, Ohio. (Akron Beacon Journal - 3.12.10)

UU family harnesses grief to effect change, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:58:00 +0000

Victim's family works to protect others

The family of 13-year-old Esme Kenney, who was killed in March 2009, has been working to get laws put into place that would help protect others from violent offenders. Though the family's religious affiliation is not stated in this article, previous articles have mentioned that Kenney was a children's choir member at St. John's Unitarian Universalist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. (WCPO - 3.10.10)

See also: Esme Kenney's Mother Testifies In Kirkland Trial (wcpo.com - 3.9.10)

Unitarian twist in television show

It's always interesting when UU characters and subjects show up on Prime Time TV, such as in this week's episode of the FOX series "House." (If you haven't watched the episode yet, this'll be a SPOILER.) In a subplot of the episode "Private Lives" (season 6, episode 13), Dr. House is trying to hide the fact that he's reading a book of sermons written by a Unitarian minister. Intrigued, his team sets out to find out why, and it is eventually revealed that the Unitarian minister is House's biological father. You can watch the episode on Hulu.

Minister reflections, a paper airplane contest, and more

In honor of International Women's Day, the Rev. Tess Baumberger, minister of the Unity Church of North Easton, Mass., writes about Margaret Fuller and several other historic UUs who worked for women's rights. (Taunton Daily Gazette - 3.5.10)

The Rev. Becky Gunn, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Bangor, Maine, writes about the importance of acting on our beliefs in our daily lives. (Bangor Daily News - 3.6.10)

The Rev. Steve Aschmann, minister of the UU Congregation of Erie, Pa., reflects on Unitarian Universalism and religious tolerance. (GoErie.com - 3.6.10)

The Rev. Tom Rhodes, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh, N.C., jumped into a local debate from his pulpit Sunday when he spoke against a Wake County school board resolution that may end a policy of busing students to schools outside of their communities to create socioeconomic diversity. (MyNC.com - 3.7.10)

Terrance Health and Rick Imirowicz, who were married by the Rev. Robert Hardies at All Souls Unitarian Church on March 9, the first day same-sex couples were allowed to legally wed in Washington, D.C., discuss the new law and its impact on the GLBT community. (Washington Post - 3.10.10)

The Bradenton Times interviews the Rev. Bonnie Devlin, minister of the Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Bradenton, Fla. (The Bradenton Times - 3.7.10)

The Main Line Unitarian Church in Devon, Pa., donated more than $1,500 to Friends Association for Care and Protection of Children, a child welfare organization. (Philadelphia Bulletin - 3.5.10)

The SouthWest Unitarian Universalist Church in Berea, Ohio, recently purchased its first permanent home and is preparing to embark on a $150,000-renovation of the building. (Plain Dealer - 3.10.10)

The First Unitarian Universalist Society in Marietta, Ga., held its 16th annual Great Paper Airplane Contest at which it collected canned food donations for a local food pantry. (Parkersburg News - 3.8.10)

Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church in Pittsburgh, Pa., celebrated its 100th anniversary. (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - 3.8.10)

The Rev. Timothy Temerson will be installed as the 20th settled minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron, Ohio, this weekend. (Suburbanite - 3.6.10)

Pluto discoverer featured on NOVA, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 22:06:00 +0000

NOVA explores Pluto and the UU who discovered it

The PBS series NOVA focuses on Pluto—discovered in 1930 by Unitarian Clyde Tombaugh—and the continuing debate over its loss of planetary status. You can watch the entire program, "The Pluto Files," online. Part four includes a visit to Tombaugh's hometown, an interview with his family, and a stop to see the Tombaugh stained-glass window at the UU Church of Las Cruces, N. Mex., a church he and his wife helped found. For a good chuckle, don't miss the slideshow of angry post-demotion letters from Pluto-supporting third graders. (PBS.org - Feb. 2010, UU World - Fall 2005)

See also:
My Dad Discovered Pluto (PBS.org - Feb. 2010)
He found a planet and founded a church (UU World - Fall 2005)
UU astronomer's ashes en route to Pluto (uuworld.org - 10.6.06)

Same-sex marriage in D.C., Haiti fundraising, and more

The Rev. Robert Hardies, senior minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, D.C., says he has been inundated with calls from same-sex couples looking to wed now that same-sex marriage is legal in the nation's capital. (10connects.com - 3.3.10)

A February 10 pro-marriage equality column by the Rev. Cynthia Landrum, minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty in Clarklake, Mich., has continued to generate debate in the Jackson Citizen Patriot. (The Jackson Citizen Patriot - 2.10.10, 3.1.10)

The First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, N.Y., donated $4,000 for Haiti relief during a special Sunday morning collection and is making the cause an ongoing campaign for the rest of the church year. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 3.4.10)

The Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Mission Viejo, Calif., held a Haiti relief fundraiser featuring live music and belly dancing, which raised $1,234. (OCRegister - 2.26.10)

A recent report from the Religious Institute, a multifaith organization promoting sexuality education led by the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, a community minister with the Unitarian Church in Westport, Conn., continues to draw attention for urging faith leaders to better meet the sexuality needs of congregants by 2020. (WomensRadio - Feb. 2010)

The Rev. Jeff Briere, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga, Tenn., comments on the Religious Institute report and on a statement by the UUA that it will start requiring ministerial candidates to show competency in sexuality issues before they can be ordained. (Chattanooga Times Free Press - 2.27.10)

A group of about 100 people met in Uganda, at an event organized by the Rev. Mark Kiyimba of the Ugandan Unitarian Universalist Church, to speak out against a proposed anti-homosexuality bill. (GlobalPost - 2.26.10)

See also: Ugandan UUs oppose anti-homosexuality bill (2.22.10)

Nancy Vedder-Shults, a member of First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisc., shares her thoughts on proposed language changes in the UUA's Principles and Purposes, specifically the environmentally focused Seventh Principle. (Tikkun - 3.3.10)

The Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church in S.C. was awarded $28,000 in matching funds to help the congregation hire its first minister. (Aiken Standard - 2.28.10)

One woman's fall into homelessness, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 16:29:00 +0000

Morales discusses priorities on West Coast visit

The North County Times interviewed UUA President Peter Morales as he stopped in California during a tour of West Coast churches. (North County Times - 2.26.10)

Homelessness frustrating for woman, those trying to help

The Tulsa World profiles Joey Baker, who has been living in her car with her pets since she lost her home last June. Baker often drops by All Souls UU Church, which her family has attended for years, but the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar expresses frustration over not knowing how best to help her. (Tulsa World - 2.21.10)

UU ministers on miracles, love, equality, community

The Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom, Worship and Music Resources director for the Unitarian Universalist Association, writes in the Washington Post that we have stopped noticing miracles: "Maybe we need a walking-on-water, parting-the-seas kind of miracle to catch our attentions today, yet aren't we surrounded by miracles enough?" (Washington Post - 2.10)

The Rev. Tess Baumberger, minister at the Unity Church of North Easton, Mass., explores the question: "What would it feel like if I began to source my life and my work in love, rather than in the frantic need to do, to impress, and to achieve?” (Norton Mirror - 2.19.10)

The Rev. Andrew Pakula, minister of the Newington Green and Islington Unitarians in England and a member of the national Executive Committee of the Unitarians of Great Britain, writes in defense of civil partnerships. (The Guardian - 2.23.10)

The Rev. Daniel Budd, minister of the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Ohio, writes of his city: "In order to create a sustainable culture in and for our city and its metropolitan area, we must value one of the most important resources we have. We must value one another." (Plain Dealer - 2.20.10)

Burned church rebuilt, knitting ministry, and more

The new sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern, N.Y., whose previous building was destroyed by a fire in September 2006, is almost complete. (Times Herald-Record - 2.22.10) See also: Fire destroys Rock Tavern UU church (uuworld.org - 9.15.06)

Massachusetts minister the Rev. Judy Campbell started a knitting ministry--the Martha's Vineyard Knitting for Charity group--which meets weekly to create hats, mittens, and other projects for the needy. (Martha's Vineyard Times - 2.25.10)

George Beykovsky, a 78-year-old Holocaust survivor who now calls the Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Marysville, Wash., his "second home," shares the story of how his family fled Europe to escape the Nazis. (HeraldNet - 2.21.10)

Once a month the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Youngstown, Ohio, hosts a coffee social that supports GLBT teens and young adults and their families. (TheJambar.com - 2.23.10)

Police have asked the public for help finding a man they believe stole a purse from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bangor, Maine. Video is 02:43. (WCSH-TV - 2.19.10) See also: Bangor Police Ask Assistance in Catching Purse Snatcher (WABI - 2.19.10)

A group celebrated the dedication of a new roof-mounted solar power system at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim, Calif. (OC Weekly - 2.19.10)

The Interfaith Dialogue on Earth Care brought together a large group of educators, community members, and spiritual leaders, including the Rev. Peter Connolly, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green, Ky. (Bowling Green Daily News - 2.20.10)

Defending gay rights in Uganda, and other UUs in the media

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:57:00 +0000

UU minister defends gay rights at Ugandan conference

The Rev. Marlin Lavanhar, senior minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa, Okla., traveled to Uganda to speak in opposition of a proposed new anti-homosexuality law. (Tulsa World – 2.16.10)

See also: Minister speaking out on bill in Uganda (Tulsa World – 2.13.10) and Ugandan UUs oppose anti-homosexuality bill (uuworld.org - 2.22.10)

'Standing on the Side of Love' on Valentine's Day

A few days before Valentine's Day, GLBT equality supporters held a Standing on the Side of Love rally at State University of New York, Potsdam, part of a nationwide campaign sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association. (video) (News 10 Now – 2.13.10)

The Unitarian Universalists of Sterling, Va., the Neshoba, Tenn., Unitarian Universalist Church, and the Unitarian Universalist Church of Ogden, Utah, also held "Reimagining Valentine's Day" events as part of the Standing on the Side of Love Valentine's campaign. (Washington Post – 2.14.10; Memphis Flyer – 2.12.10; StandardNet – 2.12.10)

See also:
Unitarian Universalists push for anti-discrimination laws (StandardNet – 2.15.10)
Ogden urged to pass gay anti-bias ordinances (Salt Lake Tribune – 2.15.10)
Gay-rights push spreading to other Utah locales (Salt Lake Tribune - 2.11.10)

Two Loudoun County, Va., officials—John Stevens and Stevens Miller, both UUs—joined a panel discussion for "Standing on the Side of Love Day," February 14. (Loudoun Independent – 2.10.10)

See also: Church To Host Panel On LGBT Issues (Leesburg Today – 2.12.10)

In related news, someone stole the "Standing on the Side of Love" banner from the Northern Hills Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Cincinnati, Ohio. A link to a short video appears at the top of the story. (kypost.com – 2.10)

On the topic of GLBT equality and Valentine's Day, the Rev. Daniel O'Connell, lead minister at the Eliot Unitarian Chapel in Kirkwood, Mo., writes that "one day, the day will come when marriage fairness will be a given. And 18 year old children off to college will be able to say—there has always been gay marriage." (St. Louis Post-Dispatch - 2.15.10)

'Sexually healthy' ministers, green buildings, and more

The Rev. Kate Lore, social justice minister at the First Unitarian Church of Portland, Ore., is one of the forces behind the creation of the church's Thirteen Salmon Family Center, a day shelter for homeless families. (Neighborhood Notes - 2.16.10)

The Rev. Dr. Susan Suchocki Brown, minister of the First Church Unitarian Universalist in Leominster, Mass., asks: Are you prepared for the unimaginable? (Leominster Champion - 2.19.10)

A report from the Religious Institute, a multifaith organization promoting sexuality education led by the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, a community minister with the Unitarian Church in Westport, Conn., calls for faith leaders to focus on becoming "sexually healthy" and to better meet the sexuality needs of congregants by 2020. (Christian Post - 2.15.10)

See also: Not enough sex talk in churches or seminaries, report says (Austin American-Statesman – 2.12.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs, Fla., issued a Statement of Conscience that repudiates the Christian Doctrine of Discovery and presses the U.S. government to adopt the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. (Indian Country Today – 2.14.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the South Fork in Bridgehampton, N.Y., is hosting a free two-day holistic healing clinic. (The Sag Harbor Express - 2.17.10)

After four years of work by a total of 197 volunteers the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Port Townsend, Wash., dedicated its new "built green" sanctuary. (Peninsula Daily - 2.16.10)

Davies Memorial Unitarian Universalist Church in Camp Springs, Md., embraces wind-generated electricity and other environmentally friendly initiatives. (Gazette – 1.28.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Grand Traverse, Mich., recently completed a new 1,600-square-foot expansion, which includes classrooms and children's space. (Traverse City Record Eagle – 2.12.10)

The Huntsville, Tex., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship prepared to have its first service in its new church building. (Huntsville Item – 2.13.10)

Roller derby DRE, seminary negotiations, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 20:10:00 +0000

Charlie Clements, president of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, is leaving his position to become executive director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. (Boston Globe - 2.5.10; see also "Clements to Leave UU Service Committee," uuworld.org - 2.1.10)

Andover Newton Theological School ended merger talks with Colgate Rochester Crozer but began talking about a possible partnership with UU seminary Meadville Lombard Theological School. (The Christian Century - February 2010; see also "Meadville Lombard to Sell Chicago Campus," uuworld.org - 11.30.09)

Meagan Henry, director of religious education at Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria, Va., and president of the DC Rollergirls, talks about the joys of roller derby. (Washington Post - 2.7.10)

The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Niagara in Niagara Falls, N.Y., which installed a new wireless sound system that links directly to digitized hearing aids, is now working to help other organizations get similar systems. (Niagara Gazette - 2.9.10; see also "Innovations Help Congregants Hear," UU World - Winter 2009; "FCC Prohibits Some Wireless Mikes," InterConnections TipSheet - 2.12.10)

The Rev. Debra W. Haffner, director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing, and a community minister with the Unitarian Church in Westport, Conn., talks about sex and religion. (Yale Daily News - 2.8.10)

The Rev. Tess Baumberger, minister of the Unity Church of North Easton, Mass., writes about Universalist history and why UUs have a gospel to preach as well. (Norton Mirror - 2.8.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta, Ga., raised $7,547 for Haitian relief during a Sunday plate collection. (Champion - 2.3.10)

The Gloucester, Mass., Unitarian Universalist Church hosted "Here for Haiti: Raising Song, Spirit & Help for Haiti," an earthquake relief benefit. (Gloucester Daily Times - 2.4.10)

The Rev. Elizabeth Linton Greene, minister of the Boise, Idaho, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, rejoices in knowing that "the belief that God's light shines on all equally...is echoed in the secular assumptions of our country." (IdahoStatesman.com - 2.6.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Victoria, Tex., celebrates its 50th anniversary. (Victoria Advocate - 2.5.10)

Linda Jo Scott, a member of the Unitarian Universalist church in East Lansing, Mich., writes about the differences and similarities between herself and a fellow columnist, and about the joys of writing a column. (Battle Creek Enquirer - 2.7.10)

UU ministers on natural disasters and God, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:15:00 +0000

UU ministers share thoughts on Haiti, God
The Rev. Roger Butts, pastor of the High Plains Unitarian Universalist Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., weighs in on the Haiti-related question of "why bad things happen in a world supposedly created by a just God." (Colorado Springs Gazette - 1.31.10)

The Rev. Stefanie Etzbach-Dale, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Verdugo Hills in La Crescenta, Calif., answered similar questions about the Haitian earthquake and God. (Valley Sun - 1.28.10)

Judge's ex-girlfriend guilty of stalking
Last week I pointed you to a Washington Post story reporting that D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Janet Albert, a member of All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, D.C., had accused her ex-girlfriend of stalking her. The accused, Taylar Nuevelle, also a member of the church, has now been found guilty of three counts of breaking and entering and burglary. (Washington Post - 1.26.10, 1.3.10)

Also in the media:

Tom Leonard, writing about JD Salinger for the Telegraph, mentions that the only event that the famously reclusive author still appeared to participate in regularly was a monthly turkey dinner at the local UU church. (Telegraph.co.uk - 1.28.10)

The Rev. Sydney Wilde and the Rev. Dennis Daniel, spouses and new coministers of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Chico, Calif., talk about the UU faith. (Enterprise-Record - 1.30.10)

The First Universalist Church in Rockland, Maine, celebrates its certification as a Green Sanctuary. (Bangor Daily News - 1.30.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Meeting House in Provincetown, Mass., hosts the third annual Universal Theatre winter theater festival. (Wicked Local Truro - 1.28.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Woodstock, Ill., officially installed the Rev. James Hobart as its interim minister at a special Service of Transition. (Northwest Herald - 1.31.10)

Home for humanists, Darwin descendent, UUSC leadership changes, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 20:50:00 +0000

Clements to leave the UUSC
Charlie Clements is leaving his position as president of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to accept a position as executive director of the Carr Center for Human Rights Policy at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government. (Cambridge Chronicle - 1.25.10)

Unitarian Universalism and humanism
Doug Muder (a uuworld.org columnist) writes about Unitarian Universalism's long and intricate relationship with humanism. (The New Humanism - 1.28.10)

Also in the media:

NPR's "Fresh Air" features an interview with Charles Darwin's great-great grandson Randal Keynes, including a brief discussion of Darwin's Unitarianism. You can listen to the interview or read a transcript. (WBUR - 1.21.10)

The Washington Post reports that D.C. Superior Court Magistrate Judge Janet Albert, a member of All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, D.C., has accused her ex-girlfriend of stalking her. The former couple met at a retreat sponsored by their church. (Washington Post - 1.26.10)

St. John's Unitarian Universalist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio, held a concert for 13-year-old children's choir member Esme Kenney, who was killed in March 2009. The concert marked Kenney's birthday and raised money for a glass sculpture to be created in her memory. (Cincinnati.com - 1.24.10)

Jennifer Harvilak, who attends the Cedarhurst Unitarian Universalist Church in Finksburg, Md., describes what it means to be pagan. (Carroll County Times - 1.24.10)

A Food for Thought Fundraiser at the Unitarian Fellowship Hall in Nanaimo, British Columbia, raised nearly $400, which was used to buy tickets for 400 meals at the Salvation Army. (Nanaimo Daily News - 1.26.10)

Members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Pueblo, Colo., have compiled a cookbook to raise funds to buy textbooks for students in Malawi, Africa. (Pueblo Chieftain - 1.27.10)

The Rev. Tom Capo, minister of the Peoples Church Unitarian Universalist in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, participated in an interfaith prayer service for Haiti. (KCRG - 1.23.10)

The Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, Md., decided not to allow T-Mobile to install a cell phone tower on its property after more than 30 church neighbors expressed concerns about potential health risks and damage to property values. (Business Gazette - 1.27.10)

UUs raise funds for Haiti relief, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 22:17:00 +0000

UUs raise funds for Haiti
First Parish Church in Bedford, Mass., has raised more than $3,000 for Haiti relief efforts. (Bedford Minuteman - 1.20.10)

The First Unitarian Church in Omaha, Nebr., donated all of last Sunday's collection to Haiti relief efforts and will donate half of the church's collections for the remainder of January as well. (Omaha World-Herald - 1.22.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Church in Canton, N.Y., is one of several area churches working to raise funds for Haiti earthquake relief. (WatertownDailyTimes.com - 1.15.10)

The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Wichita, Kans., held a public candlelight vigil for Haiti during which they prayed, spoke, and collected funds for relief work. (text and video) (KAKE - 1.17.10)

See also: UUSC, UUA create Haitian relief fund (uuworld.org - 1.14.10)

Donate to the UUSC/UUA Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund

MLK Day prompts reflection, action
Stephen Sacks, chair of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fresno's Social Justice Committee, writes that it is important to get past the superficial idea of King the dreamer and remember the man who "was a modern day prophet who gave his life fighting the dehumanizing power structures and status quo in our society." (Fresno Bee - 1.16.10)

In honor of MLK Day, the Rev. Tess Baumberger, minister of the Unity Church (UU) of North Easton, Mass., looks at two seemingly contradictory spiritual acts: bearing wrongs lightly and admonishing the sinner. (Mansfield News - 1.15.10)

Two churches, First Unitarian Universalist Church of Green Hills and Corinthian Baptist Church of North Nashville, Tenn., are working together in the spirit of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to fight racism. (WSMV - 1.17.10)

At the Unitarian Church of Summit, N.J., people read and discussed passages from King’s 1966 Ware lecture to the UUA. (TheAlternativePress.com - 1.20.10)

During a service to commemorate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., people at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Stevens Point, Wisc., read his "I have a dream" speech and wrote pledge cards with their positive intentions. (WAOW - 1.17.10)

Also in the media:

With dropping temperatures maxing out the capacity of the city's main homeless shelter, the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, Calif., opened its doors to 25 people in need of a place to sleep. (Santa Barbara Independent - 1.20.10)

Knoxville's Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church helped host a public event on the challenges facing gay and lesbian youth and their families. (Knoxville News Sentinel - 1.16.10)

The Los Angeles Conservancy has an online competition going of 20 ecclesiastical structures built in the '60s, including the onion-shaped Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society in North Hills, Calif. (Los Angeles Times - 1.18.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship at Stony Brook, N.Y., has one of the few permanent indoor labyrinths in America. (NorthShoreOfLongIsland.com - 1.13.10)

Judy Tough of the Quimper Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Port Townsend, Wash., is organizing an interfaith conference to help faith communities learn how to reach out to and be more inclusive of people with mental disorders. (Peninsula Daily - 1.13.10)

UUs celebrate King's legacy, minister nominated for Grammy, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 20:45:00 +0000

Congregations honor Martin Luther King Jr
The Washington Post reports that Paint Branch Unitarian Universalist Church in Adelphi, Md., is hoping its Martin Luther King Jr. Day service will help with its community outreach and diversity goals. (Washington Post - 1.14.10)

The First Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Hunterdon County, N.J., will honor the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by playing his speeches, one each night, during the week of MLK Day. (Hunterdon County Democrat - 1.11.10)

The Rev. Abhi Janamanchi, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, Fla., hosts the 2010 Interfaith Conference in Clearwater, which will celebrate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr's legacy. (Tampabay.com - 1.14.10)

UU minister nominated for Grammy
The Rev. Dan Schatz, minister of the BuxMont Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Warrington, Pa., performed on and co-produced the Grammy nominated two-CD set “Singing Through the Hard Times—A Tribute to Utah Phillips.” (Philadelphia Inquirer - 1.4.10)

See also: UU minister nominated for Grammy award (uuworld.org - 12.14.09)

Also in the media:

Linda Bonk, a member of the Skylands Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Hackettstown, N.J., explains why same-sex marriage as a "civil rights issue" brought her to the Statehouse for the first time. (The Star-Ledger - 1.7.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Norwich, Conn., held its annual 12th Night Medieval Feast with the United Congregational Church. (Norwich Bulletin - 1.10.10)

All Souls Unitarian Universalist Congregation in New London, Ct., marked its 100th anniversary with a liturgy and concert of music from the year it opened. (TheDay.com - 1.11.10)

The First Unitarian Church of Oakland, Calif., hosted a rededication and renovation celebration for its historic building. (Oakland Tribune - 1.10.10)

A play with music by Mary Lou Prince, music director at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Green Valley, Az., recounts the courage and kindness of one immigrant. (Green Valley News - 1.112.10)

UUs detained in Cuba, Garrison Keillor responses, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 20:45:00 +0000

Church humanitarian group detained in Cuba
A group from the First Unitarian Church of Portland, Ore., traveling on a U.S.-issued license to do humanitarian work in Cuba was denied entry to the country and detained inside the Havana airport. The church had made three previous trips in November but members were detained during the planned December visit. (CNN International - 12.31.09)

See also:
Cuban authorities send Portland church group back to Mexico (OregonLive.com - 12.27.09)
Church leaders awaiting return of members turned away from Cuba (OregonLive.com - 12.28.09)

UUs respond to snippy Garrison Keillor column
Back in December a syndicated column by humorist Garrison Keillor, apparently prompted by his discovery that a UU church uses a slightly modified version of "Silent Night," devolved into a rant about why UUs and non-Christians should leave the holiday alone: "Christmas is a Christian holiday—if you're not in the club, then buzz off." (Salon - 12.15.09)

The Rev. Robert Francis Murphy of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Falmouth, Mass., responds to Keillor's column: "Holiday messages like 'buzz off' and 'don't mess with the Messiah' aren't funny. They rub salt into ancient sore points. Put the horseplay aside, Garrison, and come join the adults at the big people's table." (Cape Cod Times - 1.6.10)

Don Carpenter, a longtime Unitarian and retired university professor, says he continues to enjoy Garrison Keillor's work but takes issue with the humorist's "gratuitous criticism of the Unitarian church as an 'outfit'" in the column. (Duluth News Tribune - 1.05.10)

Hal Walberg, a UU from Mankato, Minn., calls Keillor's column a "mean-spirited attack on those who celebrate in a way different from his" in the Mankato Free Press. (Mankato Free Press - 12.26.09)

See also: Merry Christmas, Garrison Keillor! (uuworld.org - 12.23.09)

Same-sex marriage developments
Jennifer Morton and Michelle Morrison, members of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashua, N.H., were married at midnight on New Year's as a new law allowing same-sex couples to marry went into effect. (Nashua Telegraph - 1.2.10)

NECN has a video and story about same-sex couples getting married on New Year's at midnight on the steps of the New Hampshire State House and about continued opposition to the new law. (NECN - 12.31.09)

See also: New year, new era for same-sex couples (Seacoastonline.com - 12.27.09)

In Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian M. Fenty chose All Souls Unitarian Church as the location to sign a new bill legalizing same-sex marriage in the nation's capital. (Gay Vantage - 12.17.09)

See also: ‘This is what progress looks like’ (uuworld.org - 1.4.10)

In discouraging news for marriage equality activists, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New Jersey was defeated in the state Senate Thursday by a vote of 14-20. (1.7.09)

Also in the media:

The First Parish Church in Beverly, Mass., will be auctioning off its historic silver collection to help pay for extensive restoration work done on the congregation's 18th-century building. (Boston Globe - 12.25.09)

The San Francisco Chronicle writes about the historical significance of Unitarian minister the Rev. Thomas Starr King. (San Francisco Chronicle - 1.2.10)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Shelter Rock in Manhasset, Long Island, will give $600,000 in grants to four not-for-profit organizations working to feed the hungry. (NewsLI - 12.28.09)

Explore a photo gallery of the annual Christmas Eve service at First Parish UU in Hingham, Mass., which is also known as Old Ship Church. (Hingham Journal -12.26.09)

See also: UU congregation celebrates 325-year-old building (UU World - Fall 2006)

A story about a Winter Solstice labyrinth walk at the High Plains Unitarian Universalist Church in Colorado Springs, Colo., takes an odd detour into the "war on Christmas" debate. (Colorado Springs Gazette - 12.19.09)

The Rev. Tess Baumberger, minister of the Unity Church of North Easton, Mass., writes about Unitarian Universalism and the merits of doubt. (Easton Journal - 12.16.09)

The Rev. George Buchanan, minister of religious education at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Ohio, who was stuck in Canada for more than a month due to problems with his work visa, was finally allowed to return home. (Ottawa Citizen - 12.26.09)

Judith Martin-Straw, a journalist and UU, defends religious and spiritual diversity in America. (Los Angeles Times - 1.6.10)

The onion-shaped Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society sanctuary is one of four potential Historic-Cultural Monuments in California's San Fernando Valley. (Los Angeles Daily News - 1.6.10)

The Rev. Elizabeth "Kit" Ketcham, minister of the UU Congregation of Whidbey Island in Freeland, Wash., is interviewed in a Wall Street Journal article about the downside of gossip. (Wall Street Journal - 1.6.10)

Linda Jo Scott, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in East Lansing, Mich., urges us to look ahead to the new year with hope. (Battle Creek Enquirer - 12.27.09)

The Rev. Frieda Gillespie, minister of the Northshore Unitarian Universalist Church in Danvers, Mass., is interviewed in a story about Christmas sermons offering a sense of hope. (The Salem News - 12.24.09)

President Obama's sporadic childhood attendance at the First Unitarian Church of Honolulu comes up in a Time magazine article about the First Family not attending church on Christmas. (TIME - 12.23.09)

"Jingle Bells" was written in the late 1850s by Unitarian James Pierpont, and the song's origins get a mention in a column about the emotional significance of Christmas music. (CNN - 12.23.09)

Digs at Unitarians amid Christmas celebrations

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 21:50:00 +0000

Garrison Keillor tells UUs not to 'mess with Christmas'

A column by humorist Garrison Keillor, apparently prompted by his discovery that a UU church uses a slightly modified version of "Silent Night," devolves into a rant about why UUs and non-Christians should leave the holiday alone: "Christmas is a Christian holiday—if you're not in the club, then buzz off" (Salon - 12.15.09). A
slightly edited, but still moderately offensive, version of the syndicated column appeared in the Chicago Tribune and other papers. Be sure to read the comments sections, which are as interesting as the column itself.

More on UUs and Christmas

About 30 congregations, including the Unitarian Universalist Church in West Lafayette, Ind., participated in two annual gift giveaways that will help provide presents for more than 3,800 children. (Journal and Courier - 12.13.09)

Several UUs are among those interviewed on the topic of the Christmas experience for atheists and agnostics. (OnMilwaukee.com - 12.14.09)

The Rev. Thomas Perchlik, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Muncie, Ind., weighs in on the question of how to express holiday greetings. (Muncie Star Press - 12.14.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Traverse City, Mich., hosted an alternative gifts fair featuring eco-friendly, fair trade, and locally made gifts. (Traverse City Record Eagle - 12.14.09)

England's Bury Unitarian Church hosted a three-day Celebration of Christmas Trees. (Prestwich & Whitefield Guide - 12.13.09)

Opponents try to bar atheist N.C. councilman

Controversy has erupted around Cecil Bothwell, an Asheville, N.C., City Council member, atheist, and member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville. Opponents of Bothwell, who was elected last month, say that he should not be seated because of a section in the state's constitution that disqualifies for office "any person who shall deny the being of Almighty God.” (Asheville Citizen-Times - 12.8.09)

See also:
NC councilman finds belief system 'irrelevant' to politics (OneNewsNow - 12.18.09)
Boyle: Cecil Bothwell storm puts focus on North Carolina Constitution (Asheville Citizen-Times - 12.16.09)

UUs hold climate change vigils

Members of the Unitarian Church of Norfolk, Va., held a vigil focusing on countries threatened by climate change. Groups from the UU Congregation of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., and the Lakehead Unitarian Fellowship in Ontario, Canada, held similar demonstrations. All were timed to correspond with the United Nations climate change summit in Copenhagen. (The Virginian-Pilot /The Saratogian - 12.12.09, The Chronicle Journal - 12.14.09)

Hundreds gather to mourn murdered professor

Hundreds of people gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Binghamton. N.Y., to pay their respects to Richard Antoun, a 77-year-old Binghamton University professor and UU who was murdered last Friday. (WBNG-TV - 12.11.09)

New York News Channel 34 has a video about people remembering Antoun. (WBGH - 12.9.09)

Also in the media:

The Delmarva Daily Times profiles the Rev. John Wright, quarter-time pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Salisbury, Md. (Delmarva Daily Times - 12.12.09)

About 100 people gathered at the First Unitarian Church in Louisville, Ky., to mark National Children's Memorial Day. (Louisville Courier-Journal - 12.13.09)

The Rev. Joshua Pawelek, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, Conn., is quoted in a story about religious leaders working to persuade Senator Joseph Lieberman to drop his opposition to government-run health insurance. (Hartford Courant - 12.10.09)

The Rev. George Buchanan, minister of religious education at the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Ohio, has been stuck in Canada for more than a month due to problems with his work visa. (WKYC-TV - 12.12.09)

The First Religious Society, Unitarian Universalist, in Newburyport, Mass., helps support the cause of aiding impoverished children and families in Nicaragua. (The Daily News of Newburyport - 12.11.09)

Season's greetings from UU World. Our offices will be closed for the holidays December 24 through January 3. Watch for the next edition of "Unitarian Universalists in the Media" on January 8.

Slain Binghamton professor remembered, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 20:56:00 +0000

Slain Binghamton professor remembered
Richard Antoun, a Binghamton University professor, Mideast scholar, and member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton, N.Y., was fatally stabbed in his office one week ago. The community paid tribute this week to the 77-year-old peace activist who was remembered as "a friend of many faiths." (Ithaca Journal - 9.6.09)

The Boston Herald spoke to Antoun's brother-in-law, the Rev. David J. Miller, minister emeritus of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Worcester, Mass., who said he and Antoun "both had friendly views toward the Arab world" and "were trying to spread understanding.” (Boston Herald - 12.9.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Church in Binghamton set up two funds in memory of Antoun: for the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse and for Interfaith Programming. (WBNG-TV - 12.7.09)

Starr King statue back in California
On Tuesday, the statue of famous 19th-century Unitarian Thomas Starr King was rededicated in a grove outside the California Capitol after having lost its place in the U.S. Capitol's National Statuary Hall. (Sacramento Bee - 12.9.09)

See also: Unitarian statue loses spot in U.S. Capitol (uuworld.org - 9.15.09)

Also in the media:

An article about churches taking precautions against swine flu looks at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Northern Nevada's H1N1 response plan. (Reno Gazette Journal - 12.5.09)

A group of 40 teens, including several from the Foothills, Colo., Unitarian Church, slept in boxes to raise awareness of homelessness. They also collected food, clothing, and money to donate. (The Coloradoan - 12.6.09)

The Rev. Mark Stringer, minister of the First Unitarian Church of Des Moines, Iowa, writes in defense of same-sex marriage. (DesMoinesRegister.com - 12.5.09)

Members and staff of the Morristown, N.J., Unitarian Universalist Fellowship decided to attend a rally to help persuade state senators on the judiciary committee to vote in favor of same-sex marriage. (Dailyrecord.com - 12.5.09)

The Rev. Mark Worth of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Castine, Maine, was one of several area religious leaders who teamed up recently to protest abortion restrictions in health care reform. (Bangor Daily News - 12.5.09)

The small but growing Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Wyoming Valley in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., worked to prepare their new church for its upcoming inaugural service. (Wilkes Barre Times-Leader - 12.7.09)

A group of more than 25 quilters meets at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Tarpon Springs, Fla., to make quilts for children in need. (Tampabay.com - 12.5.09)

The Bellingham Herald profiles the ongoing work on the Bellingham, Wash., Unitarian Fellowship's new green church expansion. (Bellingham Herald - 12.7.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Church of the Palouse in Moscow, Idaho, is helping pick up and distribute donations to local food banks. (The Daily Evergreen - 12.8.09)

Murdered parishioner mourned, World AIDS day commemorated, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Fershtman) — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 14:51:00 +0000

Service held to mourn murdered parishioner
Hundreds of people gathered Wednesday at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, N.Y., to mourn the death of Christine Sevilla. (Democrat and Chronicle - NY 12.3.09)

Interfaith gathering commemorates World AIDS Day
An Interfaith service to commemorate World AIDS Day was held at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tallahassee, Fla., Tuesday, and included Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and Jewish community members, as well as churches of different denominations. (Tallahassee Democrat - FL 12.2.09)

UU thoughts on Afghanistan
The Lakeland Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Wayne, N.J., hosted a talk by Nadia Akbar, named the 2009 Person of the Year by the New Jersey chapter of Peace Action, an international antiwar organization. Akbar, who grew up in Pakistan, gave her thoughts on the war in Afghanistan. (NorthJersey.com - NJ 11.30.09)

Rose Edington and Mel Hoover, co-pastors at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Charleston, W. Va., react to President Obama's decision to send an additional 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. (The State Journal - WV 12.1.09)

Also in the media:

David Shaman, president of Interweave of South Jersey, an affiliate organization of the UUA, issued a challenge to conservative media personalities to provide an argument against same-sex marriage on the basis of logic and reason. (Earth Times - 12.2.09)

The Rev. Joel Miller, pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, N.Y., believes the vote against same-sex marriage in New York was a temporary setback. (WKBW - NY 12.3.09)

The First Unitarian Church in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y., a 165-year-old building, is having its roof replaced. (The Brooklyn Eagle - NY 11.29.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Visalia, Calif., has begun offering classes, such as ceramics and wreath-making, as a way to reach out to the community. (Visalia Times-Delta - CA 12.1.09)

UUs give thanks through reflection, celebration, service

noreply@blogger.com (Sonja L. Cohen) — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:54:00 +0000

Now, more than ever, we should give thanks
The Rev. Sandra D. Fitz-Henry, minister of Murray UU Church in Attleboro, Mass., reflects on the idea that these difficult times may offer the opportunity to open ourselves to "a deeper understanding of that original Thanksgiving." (Attleboro Sun Chronicle – 11.22.09)

UUs partake in interfaith celebrations, projects
Many UU congregations are taking part in interfaith celebrations to observe Thanksgiving, including the UU Society of Amherst, Mass., the
Olympia, Wash., UU Church, Olympia Brown UU Church in Racine, Wisc., and the UU Congregation of Greenville, N.C. (MassLive.com – 11.22.09, TheNewsTribune.com – 11.23.09, Journal Times – 11.20.09, Greenville Daily Reflector – 11.22.09)

The First UU Congregation of Terre Haute, Ind., embraced the giving part of Thanksgiving by participating in an interfaith food drive. (Terre Haute Tribune Star – 11.23.09)

Students from the Baldwin Community School fifth- and sixth-grade honors choir gave their annual Thanksgiving service performance at the West Shore UU Congregation in Ludington, Mich. (Ludington Daily News – 11.23.09)

Also in the media:

The Rev. Dr. Daniel O'Connell, minister of Eliot Unitarian Chapel in Kirkwood, Mo., writes about the continuing controversy of Charles Darwin. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch - 11.20.09)

The Rev. Maddie Sifantus, minister of the UU Church of Wakefield, Mass., leads a weekly meditation group, open to the public. (Wakefield Observer – 11.21.09)

Members of the Palomar UU Fellowship in Vista, Calif., celebrated the church's 50th anniversary. (North County Times – 11.20.09)

UUs speak out on health care, protest executions in Virginia, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Fershtman) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:00:00 +0000

UUs continue to rally for universal health care
Hundreds of people lined up outside U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman's house in Connecticut to show support for universal health care. Applause and cheers broke out when the Rev. Joshua Pawelek, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Stamford, shouted, "Health care is a fundamental human right." (The Connecticut Post - 11.15.09)

Here's a video of the protest, showing Pawelek in prayer. (Creedible)

The Rev. Joel Miller, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo, N.Y., protests the Stupak amendment in the House health care reform bill, which would restrict access to safe and legal contraception and abortion, because it only takes into account the views of the Roman Catholic Church. (The Buffalo News - NY 11.19.09)

Also in the media:
The Rev. Gary Kowalski, minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Vt., is quoted extensively in this article about the role of faith in American history. (Saturday Evening Post - 10.22.09)

About a dozen people gathered in the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Terre Haute, Ind., to participate in the third annual Creating a Path Through Loss workshop, which focuses on art as a therapy for grief. (The Tribune-Star - IN 11.14.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Church in Cherry Hill, N.J., hosted a concert that raised funds and awareness for victims of sexual assault. The concert was organized by the New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault. (The Courier-Post - NJ 11.16.09)

The Harrisonburg, Va., Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Committee organized a vigil to protest the execution of Larry Bill Elliott, the second person executed in Virginia in a week. (WHSV – VA 11.17.09)

A woman who escaped Afghanistan with her family during the Russian invasion spoke to the South Valley Unitarian Fellowship in Gilroy, Calif., as part of an ongoing effort to highlight the diversity among its members. (Gilroy Dispatch – CA 11.19.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Society of Sacramento's UUrth Song ComUUnity Garden was among five gardens to win an Energy Oscar from California Interfaith Power and Light. (The Sacramento Bee - CA 11.14.09)

Churches embrace change, Al Gore speaks at UU church, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Fershtman) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:01:00 +0000

Churches making changes
To encourage diversity in its congregation, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis, Md., called the Rev. John T. Crestwell Jr., an African American UU minister, as associate minister. (The Capital - MD 11.6.09)

The Rev. Tracy Sprowls-Jenks, the new minister at the First Unitarian Society of Plainfield, N.J., plans to grow her congregation from 180 members to 300 within the next five years. (Courier News - 11.8.09)

First Parish in Concord, Mass., is putting the final touches on a $4.2 million renovation project that added 2,250 square feet of usable space to the church. (The Concord Journal – MA 11.12.09)

Magazine mentions
An article in The Christian Century mentions Bruce Sheiman, a UU and author of An Atheist Defends Religion: Why Humanity Is Better Off with Religion Than Without It. The article also mentions Greg Epstein, the Humanist Chaplain at Harvard, and contributor to The New Humanism magazine. (The Christian Century - 11.17.09)

See Also: Religion and science can be partners (uuworld.org)

An essay in Dwell Magazine highlights the many UU churches that are housed in buildings designed by major modern architects, such as Frank Lloyd Wright, Louis Kahn, Paul Rudolph, and Edward Durell Stone. (Dwell Magazine - 11.09)

Also in the media:
Al Gore gave a speech at the First Parish Cambridge Unitarian Universalist church November 7 to promote his new book, Our Choice. (CNET News - 11.8.09)

The Harrisonburg Unitarian Universalist Fellowship organized a demonstration Tuesday to protest the execution of John Allen Muhammed. (WHSV - VA 11.10.09)

Nick Welsh rants about the power Unitarian politicians have held in Santa Barbara, Calif., for years. (Santa Barbara Independent - CA 11.12.09)

Culpepper Garden, a retirement facility in Arlington, Va., presented the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington with an "Elder Service Award," celebrating the organizations' longtime relationship. (Sun Gazette - DC 11.11.09)

Amended 11.16.09

Interfaith communities, a suicide workshop, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Fershtman) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:30:00 +0000

Interfaith communities
Joffre D. Meyer celebrates the 40-year anniversary of the interfaith partnership between the UUA and Rissho Kosei-kai (RKK), a brand of Japanese Buddhism. Former UUA president John Buehrens called Nikkyo Niwano, the founder of the RKK, "the most important interreligious partner the Unitarian Universalist movement has ever had." (OhmyNews International - 11.2.09)

The Universalist Unitarian Community Church in Augusta, Maine, played host to an interfaith candlelight vigil sponsored by the Religious Coalition for the Freedom to Marry in Maine, "to remind people of all faiths to vote No on Question 1." (Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel - ME 11.2.09)

Clubs and ministries bring people together
Three churches in Charleston, W. Va., including the Unitarian Universalist church, joined together to create a wellness ministry focusing on pain relief from arthritis. (The Charleston Gazette - WV 10.31.09)

The Laughter Club at the First Universalist Society in Franklin, Mass., garners more press. (The Sun Chronicle - MA 11.2.09)

See also: A Laughing Matter (Milford Daily News - MA 9.29.09)

Also in the media:

A Unitarian church in Vancouver hosted a controversial suicide workshop Wednesday. "Go to the cupboard, pour the drug into a glass and drink it, and have a peaceful death and not break the law," said Dr. Philip Nitschke, the speaker. "Suicide is not a crime." (CBC News - BC 11.4.09)

A member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Columbus, Ga., created a stained glass window for the church, depicting the seven principles of the UUA. (Ledger-Enquirer - GA 10.31.09)

An article about conservative pastors' reactions to the new federal hate crime legislation mentions the UUA's Standing on the Side of Love campaign about halfway down. (STLToday.com - MO 10.31.09)

The UUA sponsored a say-on-pay resolution for Valero Energy Corp, which will allow shareholders to hold a nonbinding vote on executive compensation. (MySanAntonio.com - TX 11.2.09)

The Rev. Alice Anacheka-Nasemann, the associate minister at the Unitarian Church of Marlborough and Hudson, Mass., says the recent “350” movement, which united people across the globe against climate change, brought tears of hope to her eyes. (Marlborough Enterprise – MA 11.6.09)

UU church earns environmental certification, UU minister appears on PBS, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Fershtman) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 17:09:00 +0000

UU church awarded environmental certification
The UUA awarded "Green Sanctuary" certification to the Sanford Unitarian Universalist Church of Maine, for its efforts to save energy and promote conservation resources. (Sanford News - ME 10.29.09)

A group of about 50 people gathered in Lacey, Wash., to take a local stand against climate change. The event was organized by the Rev. Carol McKinley of the Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation, as part of the International Day of Climate Action. (The Olympian - WA 10.25.09)

Health care discussions continue
About 30 people gathered for a health care reform rally in Lancaster, Pa., which was organized by the Social Justice Advocates of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lancaster. (Sunday News - PA 10.25.09)

Community members gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Auburn, N.Y., for an informal panel discussing the local effects of national health care reform. (AuburnPub.com - NY 10.24.09)

Also in the media:

A segment on abortion and health care reform on PBS's "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" featured the Rev. Debra Haffner, a UU minister and executive director of the Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing. (10.16.09)

A group of Buddhists has been gathering to meditate at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Salisbury, Md., for the past three years. "There is an awareness," said Brian Foret, a Salisbury resident who has been attending the meetings since they began. "You learn to sit in that awareness. We learn it's about being. There is a distinction between being and thinking. It's about training your mind, opening ourselves to a greater awareness." (The Daily Times - MD 10.24.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Community Church of Augusta, Maine, held a special service in support of marriage equality on Sunday, just a week before voters go to the polls to decide Question 1, a proposal to ban same-sex marriage in Maine. (Kennebec Journal Morning Sentinel - ME 10.26.09)

The second annual Pro-Am Charity Chili Cook-off, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Society of Stamford, Ct., collected 600 pounds of food, to be donated to the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County Inc. (The Advocate - CT 10.24.09)

Charles R. Putney, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bennington, Vt., traces the New England roots of Unitarian Universalism. (Bennington Banner - VT 10.23.09)

Churches rally to combat climate change, photo exhibit displays LGBT families, and more

noreply@blogger.com (Eric Fershtman) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:30:00 +0000

'350' movement
Many UU churches will be participating in the "350" movement on Saturday, in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, to be held in December in Copenhagen.

The Unitarian Universalist Church in Meridian, Conn., will plant 350 daffodils. (Record-Journal - CT 10.21.09)

Members of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of the Peninsula, Va., have spent the last month studying ways to reduce their carbon footprint, and will have displays showing current energy usage and ways to reduce it. (Daily Press - VA 10.22.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Area Church in Sherborn, Mass., will ring the church bells 350 times, starting at 3:50 p.m. (Dover-Sherborn Press - MA 10.21.09)

Photo exhibit promotes LGBT equality
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Anaheim, Calif., is displaying a photo exhibit that depicts families with lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender members in a positive light. The exhibit, "Love Makes A Family," is presented by Family Diversity Projects, a nonprofit organization that seeks to dispel prejudices. (The Daily Titan - CA 9.18.09)

A number of religious congregations in Maine, including the First Universalist Church in Castine, participated in a rally Sunday to show support for same-sex marriage and oppose Question 1, which would repeal a law allowing same-sex marriage in the state. (Bangor Daily News - ME 9.18.09)

Also in the media:

First Parish in Bedford, Mass., is putting on its third annual Halloween celebration, including a haunted house that is expected to attract more than 1,000 visitors this month. (The Boston Globe - 10.18.09)

The Unitarian Universalist Church in Burlington, Iowa, hosted a discussion on health care reform on Sunday. It was the third of four such discussions the church is hosting. (The Hawk Eye - IA 10.19.09)

In a project sponsored by the Unitarian Church and the Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church, both in Iowa City, fifth-graders from a local school planted a tree in order to learn how it grows. (Iowa City Press Citizen - IA 10.22.09)

The Rev. Tess Baumberger, minister of the Unity Church in North Easton, Mass., talks about the good that can come from performing a funeral or memorial service. (Easton Journal – MA 10.23.09)

Two ministers, one a Unitarian from Columbia Heights in Washington, D.C., debunk certain myths about the marriage equality debate. (Washington Post - 10.16.09)