Kenny Wiley was a UU World senior editor from 2015 to 2018. His writing has also appeared in the Boston Globe, the Houston Chronicle, and Skyd Magazine.
Learn more about Kenny Wiley on UUA.org.
By Kenny Wiley
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Activists block natural gas construction site near Port of TacomaKenny Wiley
Unitarian Universalists assist Puyallup Tribe and climate justice activists in fight against liquefied natural gas plant.
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‘We have all been charged’Kenny Wiley, Elaine McArdle
At the General Assembly in New Orleans, Unitarian Universalists find hopeful signs in a time of surprising change.
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Coming of age in an American internment campKenny Wiley
Rose Tanaka, a Denver UU, graduated high school at Manzanar, the infamous American internment camp for people of Japanese descent.
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Largest UU church votes to move downtownKenny Wiley
All Souls Unitarian Church in Tulsa votes to move church downtown, out of wealthy, largely white neighborhood, in time for centennial in 2021.
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Tulsa’s 1921 massacre leaves painful legacyElaine McArdle, Kenny Wiley
Racial justice activists, many of them Unitarian Universalists, work in Tulsa to overcome the painful legacy of a 1921 riot that killed up to 300 Black people.
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Championship round: The most UU thing ever, MMXVII editionKenny Wiley
Two Utterly UU Things made it to the championship round. Will the victor light the chalice or give life the shape of justice?
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Final four: The most UU thing of all time, MMXVII editionKenny Wiley
It’s time to pick the finalists in our March Madness quest for the Most UU Thing of All Time.
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Quarterfinals! The most UU thing ever, MMXVII editionKenny Wiley
From sixteen Really UU Things, readers have narrowed it down to eight Like, Really, Really UU Things. Which deserve to go on to the Final Four?
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The most UU thing ever, MMXVII editionKenny Wiley
UU World’s annual contest to crown the most UU thing ever depends on your vote.
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At The Sanctuaries, they ask what you needKenny Wiley
A diverse and multifaith arts, spirituality, and justice community for young adults thrives in Washington, D.C.
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‘I need you to survive’Elaine McArdle, Kenny Wiley
UUA General Assembly reaffirms commitment to racial justice.
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Making stuff up togetherKenny Wiley
Mission Peak is a congregation willing to ‘try things, mess up, and keep on trying.’
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Rev. William Barber brings crowd to its feet at racial justice rallyElaine McArdle, Kenny Wiley
Public witness event features interfaith leaders, young adults.
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Three ways Unitarian Universalism has helped with my depressionKenny Wiley
My UU faith tells me my depression is my responsibility—and not mine to carry alone.
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Who’s at the table?Kenny Wiley
Unitarian Universalist summer camps foster self-discovery, youth leadership, and a passion for justice.
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Championship round: What is the most UU thing of all time?Kenny Wiley
You’ve narrowed our March Madness contest down to two Utterly UU Things. Now it’s time to crown the Most UU Thing of All Time.
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Final four! What’s the most UU thing of all time?Kenny Wiley
Which two Extremely UU Things will go on to the championship round in our March Madness quest for the Most UU Thing of All Time?
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Quarterfinals! What is the most UU thing of all time?Kenny Wiley
From sixteen Really UU Things, readers have narrowed it down to eight Truly UU Things. Which deserve to go on to the Final Four?
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What is the most UU thing of all time?Kenny Wiley
Just in time for March Madness, we need you to decide which of these sixteen Really UU Things deserves the title.
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Two UUs released after arrest at anti-KKK protestKenny Wiley
Two Unitarian Universalists arrested in fight with Ku Klux Klan members released without charges or bail after three days in Anaheim jail.
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Black History Month: A time to unlearnKenny Wiley
As a child I learned that we had, mostly, overcome. Clues to a deeper truth hid in plain sight.
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Fires damage Denton UU FellowshipKenny Wiley
Arson damaged the Denton, Texas, Unitarian Universalist Fellowship; church responds with compassion and community.
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‘Powerfully, adamantly, dangerously afraid’Kenny Wiley, Ashley V. Boyd, Adam Lawrence Dyer, Kat Liu, Jacqui C. Williams
A discussion of Ta-Nehisi Coates’s provocative new book Between the World and Me.
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A cathedral of treesKenny Wiley
Just off the coast of southern Maine, the chapel at Ferry Beach retreat and conference center is “a cathedral of trees.”
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Five ways to support Black Lives MatterKenny Wiley
Many Unitarian Universalists want to support the Black Lives Matter movement. Here are five ways to get started.
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Connecticut churches share architect, dramatic flairKenny Wiley
In Westport and Hartford, Victor Lundy designed dramatic expressions of mid-century Unitarian Universalism.
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We are all bound up togetherKenny Wiley
Frances E. W. Harper (1825–1911) challenged us to practice a religion of justice.
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Black Lives Matter resolution, rally, die-in cap General AssemblyKenny Wiley
“It’s not enough to say black lives matter—you have to believe it, and to live it.”
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Black Lives Matter banner ‘brings out conversation’Kenny Wiley
More than two dozen Unitarian Universalist congregations have put Black Lives Matter banners on their buildings.
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‘I Thought I Was Alone. But I’m Not.’Kenny Wiley
‘Depression is way too hard without also thinking you’re alone. I want youth and kids to know it’s okay, even good sometimes, to struggle.’
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Nights can be toughKenny Wiley
I can’t fully express how scary it is when a man with a gun tells you ‘you’re fighting and trying to walk away from me’ as you stand still, attempting to comply.
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‘This is home for me’Kenny Wiley
A black Baltimore Unitarian Universalist marches for Freddie Gray, her city, and her faith.
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In Baltimore, Unitarian Universalists look for ways to helpKenny Wiley
Joining vigils for Freddie Gray, packing lunches for school children, learning from black community’s distress.
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Why Black History Month mattersKenny Wiley
As a Unitarian Universalist, I draw courage and inspiration from Black History Month.
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Fellowship helps formerly incarcerated people reintegrate into communityKenny Wiley
Poughkeepsie fellowship helps ex-prisoners; Carbondale, Colorado, congregation votes to offer sanctuary; Pittsfield, Maine, marks church’s 150th anniversary.
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News brief: Planned Parenthood vigil at Colorado UU church draws attentionKenny Wiley
A Unitarian Universalist minister in Colorado Springs receives praise, criticism after calling Planned Parenthood shooter ‘domestic terrorist’ during vigil.
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Movement for black lives takes center stage Sunday at General AssemblyKenny Wiley
‘It ain’t just your faith. It’s mine.’
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Tulsa church will move downtownKenny Wiley
Congregational news briefs: Sacramento UUs parter with refugee group; two congregations endorse carbon fee and dividend program.
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Turning towards each otherKenny Wiley
A post-fire redesign of this San José, California, church feels like ‘getting a hug from the building.’
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Interdependent Web: UUs use Twitter for faith, justice workKenny Wiley
Unitarian Universalists use Twitter to have fresh, fast-paced faith and justice conversations with fellow faith members.
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Unitarian Universalists strive to go deeper at pre-GA racial justice trainingSonja L. Cohen, Kenny Wiley
‘What I observed in my group . . . is just how hungry people are for this work.’
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Read this: The racial history of swimming poolsKenny Wiley
‘Everyone who was getting put on the ground was black, Mexican, Arabic,’ Brooks, who is white, said. ‘[The cop] didn’t even look at me. It was kind of like I was invisible.’
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Read this: Unitarian Universalists join anti-DAPL shareholder actionKenny Wiley
Unitarian Universalist Association is one of several religious organizations putting pressure on companies involved with the Dakota Access Pipeline.
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Youth, young adults reflect on being ‘in the middle’ at 2017 General Assembly Synergy Bridging serviceKenny Wiley
'Youth and young adults lead this faith and make a big impact.'
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Cornel West challenges, electrifies in 2015 Ware LectureKenny Wiley
“Let the phones be smart,” Cornel West tells Unitarian Universalists. “We have to be wise and aspire to integrity.”
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Poll results: The most UU thing everKenny Wiley
The online question was simple: What’s the most UU thing of all time?
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After election, UUs share love messagesKenny Wiley, Lauren Walleser
Congregational news, building updates, and congregational anniversaries.
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Read this: Questions about the death of Sandra BlandKenny Wiley
The family of an Illinois woman found dead in a Texas jail cell after she was arrested during a traffic stop is raising questions about how she died.
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‘Life calls us on’: Sinkford challenges at GA Service of the Living TraditionKenny Wiley
“Resistance is what love looks like in the face of hate.”
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Responding to ‘The Call of Love’Kenny Wiley
Letters and commentary on our story about Jason Shelton’s changes to the lyrics of his beloved song “We Are Standing on the Side of Love.”
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‘No more fake fights’: Sunday morning worship at GA inspires, singsKenny Wiley
“I am tapping out of the fake fights that distract us!”
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‘Lighting the Chalice’ again extinguishes all challengers in UU March MadnessKenny Wiley
For second year, Lighting the Chalice defeats ‘Spirit of Life’ in contest that asks UUs to identify the Most UU Thing of All Time.
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Let the party begin: 2017 General Assembly opensKenny Wiley
Music, dance, and remembrance among themes at the UUA General Assembly’s opening celebration.
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Read this: Theology of liberation for white antiracistsKenny Wiley
A white Minnesota minister seeks to involve more Unitarian Universalists in the Black Lives Matter movement.
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Texas fellowship ‘back on course’ after 2015 arsonKenny Wiley
The Denton, Texas, Fellowship reconsecrated its building.
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Bryan Stevenson weaves story, policy in 2017 Ware LectureElaine McArdle, Kenny Wiley
‘We will not change the world if we’re not willing to do uncomfortable things.’
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Synergy bridging worship full of cheers, songKenny Wiley
“We were reminded tonight that each of our small actions come together to create greater change.”
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Jazz tribute to Ruby BridgesKenny Wiley
UU composer Darrell Grant honors 6-year-old’s bravery with new suite.
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Final texts: Social witness statements at General AssemblyKenny Wiley
A Statement of Conscience and three Actions of Immediate Witness, passed by the 2015 General Assembly, focus on reproductive justice, Black Lives Matter, climate justice, and immigration.
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‘Stronger together’: Orlando, divestment among themes of UUA General Assembly opening celebrationKenny Wiley, Elaine McArdle
Interfaith leaders, UU youth and young adults of color take center stage, call for working ‘together’ on General Assembly’s opening night.
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Funds raised to restore Channing monumentKenny Wiley
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With angel wings, UUs respond to Westboro protesters at General AssemblyKenny Wiley
With angel wings lent from Orlando, hundreds of UUs overwhelm Westboro Baptists’ anti-LGBT protest.
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Interdependent Web: Grieving a colleague, revisionist history, making spaceKenny Wiley
A weekly roundup of blogs and other user-generated web content about Unitarian Universalism.
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Houston UUs continue Harvey flood recoveryKenny Wiley
Harvey flood waters inundated the homes of one in five families at Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church.
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‘Second line’ parades Unitarian Universalist values through New OrleansKenny Wiley, Elaine McArdle
‘I hope this inspires Unitarian Universalists to really act, to resist racism, to resist homophobia, to resist hate, and to resist so many forms of injustice.’
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News brief: 7 UUs arrested at ‘Black Lives Matter’ protest in ConnecticutKenny Wiley
Seven Unitarian Universalists among the 17 arrested in Hartford, Connecticut, protest.
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News brief: Media outlets highlight UU responses to Trump ordersKenny Wiley
The UUA and UU Service Committee’s joint statement of conscience, as well as a minister’s response to the Trump administration’s executive orders, garnered media attention.
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Second Source language changed preliminarily at General Assembly 2017Kenny Wiley
Delegates vote to change ‘woman and men’ to ‘people’ in Second Source; GA will vote again on amendment in 2018.
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