Advertisement
Unitarian Universalists honored for their work on behalf of seniors
Petaluma, California, residents Anne and Paul Greenblatt will receive the 2019 Service to Seniors award at the Petaluma Community Awards of Excellence. The Greenblatts, who are active in their local UU congregation, founded the Sonoma County Village Network in 2014. The network connects aging residents with volunteers who provide support—everything from minor home repairs to games of Scrabble. Anne felt a strong sense of call to this work after attending a Village conference: “I felt like I didn’t choose it, it chose me. . . . I came back with my hair on fire.” (Argus-Courier, 4.1)
UUs celebrate that ‘everyone is beautiful, different, and unique’
The Little Apple Pride celebration in Manhattan, Kansas, was particularly well-attended this year. According to the Rev. Jonalu Johnstone, vice chairwoman of Little Apple Pride and minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Manhattan, organizers wanted to honor the festival’s 10th anniversary and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Johnstone said, “Previously, it’s been pretty much an effort from the students on campus, which has been great —they’ve done a fabulous job. . . . We in the community wanted to step up our game.” (The Mercury, 4.14.19)
Protesters and supporters gathered outside the Unitarian Universalist Church West in Brookfield, Wisconsin, when the congregation hosted a Drag Queens Story Hour. Inside the church, however, the focus was on children having an opportunity to learn. Marsha Thrall, the congregation’s religious education coordinator, said, "It helps kids to see everyone is beautiful, different, and unique." The church’s minister, the Rev. Suzelle Lynch, said that they are “offering an affirming experience for the kids." (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, 4.9.19)
Peeps be with you
Marquette Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Michigan hosted an unusual fundraiser: a competition in which contestants created works of art related to peace and justice—using Marshmallow Peeps. Jamie Kuehnl, the event’s coordinator, said, “We wanted something catchy and we wanted it to be Peeps. The UU church is very connected to social justice issues and actions, so ‘giving peace a chance’ and ‘giving Peeps a chance’ was too perfect not to exploit.” (Mining Journal, 3.15.10)