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The UU Fellowship of Harford County in Churchville, Maryland, displays thirteen wooden cutouts every October, representing people killed by domestic violence. Church administrator Karen Kurrle said, “As October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, this program works to that end to increase community awareness of very real and sobering fact that domestic violence pervades through our local communities, neighborhoods, and homes. . . . The volumes of space the figures occupy speak of their power and the loss felt by their families and our entire community.” (Baltimore Sun, October 16)
Three members of Iowa City UU Society in Iowa traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border as the “tias from the prairie” to assist the “Angry Tias” in their work with immigrants. One of the women, Sally Hartman, said, “I’ve traveled a lot . . . and never seen people in such dire circumstances. No money, no food, shelter, medical care. . . . And no respect.” (Iowa City Press Citizen, October 15)
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Tarpon Springs, Florida, reopened after a six-year restoration process that began with repairs due to a sinkhole. Kathy Hopkins, the church’s president, described her first encounter with the repaired building: “Walking in, I immediately felt this peacefulness, with the beauty and the light. It was truly a spiritual feeling that this is a calm, safe place. It was very rewarding and very unexpected. It sent chills down my spine.” (Tampa Bay Times, October 17)