Media roundup: Two historic UU congregations merge

This Sunday, members of First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Beverly, Massachusetts, and the neighboring First Universalist Society of Salem will hold their first combined worship service since merging the two churches together. The decision to merge was driven by dwindling membership at the Salem congregation. (The Salem News – 9.7.15)

UU religious education in spotlight

The 2015 religious education program at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Plattsburgh, New York, is profiled as they kick off the church year with a traditional water communion. Religious Education Director Nicole Byrne Navarro notes that the programming is not driven by dogma or theology, but is guided by the seven Unitarian Universalist Principles. (Press Republican - 9.3.15)

Banner controversy continues, congregational response varies

Local police will attend this week’s Sunday worship service at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Palm Beaches in North Palm Beach, Florida, after the church’s Black Lives Matter sign was vandalized. The congregation’s minister, the Rev. CJ McGregor, said that it was unfortunate that the church needs a police presence in order to engage with the issue of racism. (WPTV.com – 9.4.15)

After receiving threatening messages in response to a Black Lives Matter banner posted outside their church, members of Beverly Unitarian Church in Chicago, Illinois, decided to change the sign to read: “Life Matters, Risk loving everyone.” The congregation noted that they continued to support the premise of the earlier sign, while also supporting members of the community that offer security. The congregation is located in a neighborhood where many police officers live. (Chicagoist.com – 9.10.15)

More coverage:

“Chicago's Beverly Unitarian Church Removes 'Black Lives Matter' Sign After Criticism and Vitriol” (ColorLines – 9.10.15)