the interdependent web

Mother's Day, contemporary worship, and more

2008-05-15T17:00:00.000-04:00

Mother's Day

Unitarian Universalist bloggers marked Mother's Day with posts on mothering, ministering to children, and being a "childfree" woman in a congregation of mothers.

Shannon at "Unmitigated Bliss" stresses the value of gratitude and lists those things for which she is grateful, including:

I am alive. I am a mother. I am married to a wonderful man. My children are healthy, as am I. This is enough and is the most important blessing of all. (May 11, 2008)

Anna Banana at "Mom, What's for Dinner?" considers how her children have been influenced by her mother:

I hope I give my sons the best parts of what I got from my mom. Definitely love of music, appreciation of interesting people, respect for independent thinking. Maybe someday they will also love nature, art, and beauty as much as their grandmother and I do. They're still young, and there is still time for mothering. (Sunday, May 11)

Having dedicated six children in her Mother's Day worship service, the Rev. Kit Ketcham of "Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show" writes:

What I like about the child dedication I've worked out is the words I use with each child and parent. I ask the parent(s) the child's name, then I repeat the name, dip a rosebud in the "holy" water and touch the child's head with it, saying "I touch your head that you might learn to think clearly", touch the lips, saying "I touch your lips that you might learn to speak truth", touch the heart, saying "I touch your heart that you might learn to love deeply", touch the hands, saying "I touch your hands that you might learn to serve others", and touch the parent(s), saying "I touch your parents that they might always remind you how deeply you are loved". Then I say, "welcome, Zoe, (or whoever) to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Whidbey Island." (May 11, 2008)

And Elizabeth Barrett of "ExUUberance" reflects on Mother's Day as a "childfree" woman in a congregation full of mothers:

I find, though, that at church a woman in her 30s and 40s is assumed to be a mother. It's as if people assume that women in this age range would not be at church if it weren't that they need religious education for the kids. Hey, I'm here for me! Yes, my own faith development, my need for community, my hunger for justice, my wish to connect with the sacred bring me to a faith community. (May 11, 2008)

Contemporary worship

As her congregation plans to add a third worship service, the Rev. Christine Robinson of "iMinister" compares traditional and contemporary worship services:

Contemporary Worship seems to be a matter of developing a higher level of energy than a traditional worship service has. Indeed, I think that the basic aim of a traditional worship service is to calm people, quiet them, help them be receptive to the message. The music is used to awe and impress...big organ, beautiful anthem...the Glory of God revealed in Music.

In Contemporary Worship, the aim is to get folks up, singing along, and clapping. There's a beat to the music, and the singing goes on for a good long (20 minutes?) time. Well done, and in a well-filled room (last night was well done but a very small crowd, perhaps 60 people in a room that must seat 4-500 people) all that energy is very, well...enlivening, and I can easily imagine that this, too, helps people to focus on the message of the day. (May 11, 2008)

Best practices in the Prairie Star District

Nancy Heege, district executive of the UUA's Prairie Star District, articulates the importance of programs that help connect people within congregations at "Nancy's Views on the Landscape":

Research tells us that if newcomers to a church don’t make some significant friendships in the church within a few months, they’ll leave the church. Wise leaders in growing congregations provide many opportunities for people — newcomers and longer time members — to get to know each other and begin to form friendships. (May 12, 2008)

She goes on to describe two Prairie Star District congregations and their efforts to help congregants form friendships.

Unitarian Universalists and class

At "The Yes Church," Chip suggests that Unitarian Universalists are hindered by economic insecurity:

I am not sure what it means, but the progressive Christian magazine, Sojourners, has classifieds that advertise opportunities to volunteer in Africa, Brazil and the streets of our USA, while our UU magazine, UU World, has classifieds that advertise house rentals in the south of France and Hawaiian eco-tours...

I am more and more persuaded by David Bumbaugh's analysis that the thing that best characterizes UUism is our middle-class-ness, which he defines as anxiety that we will lose our middle-class status, or at least appear to lose it. Thus, even a compelling religious call to serve the poor pales in comparison to the fear of *becoming* the poor. (May 12, 2008)

Not to be missed

The Rev. Scott Wells of "Boy in the Bands" lists Unitarian Universalist congregations that are not members of the Unitarian Universalist Association and do not fall into recognizable categories. "PolityWonk" suggests that the UUA bylaws should be changed in order to facilitate greater engagement between UUA trustees and their local congregations. Steven R at "UU-ing: Thoughts about being an Unitarian Universalist" suggests hymns that are easy to sing.

Celebrating congregations, the value of staying put, and more

2008-05-09T11:36:00.001-04:00

Celebrating congregations

The Rev. Ron Robinson at "Planting God Communities" calls for innovative models for organizing congregations:

Church is too important as a counter cultural way of living to be written off by so many, to being pigeon-holed into extinction, too important not to risk new manifestations. And not only the unchurched and dechurched, but those struggling to maintain their faith and not be burned out from within existing churches need more and more alternative communities of faith. I again like the Disciples of Christ theme of 1,000 new churches in 1,000 new ways. Again, faithful churches come in many ways. (April 23, 2008)

UUA trustee Tom Loughrey sounds a similar note in his report to the Pacific Southwest District Assembly as he discusses the UUA board's decision to reduce the number of independent affiliate organizations (click here for background on the decision from UU World):

The problem for me in this is that I think we may not be considering a new reality in what makes up a "congregation." Of course, we have a definition of a congregation but it may be based on a model that does not really take in the way we congregate anymore. When I heard there is a UU congregation in Second Life I realized that the Internet, email and the interfaces to electronic communication have blurred the definition sufficiently that we may need to expand how we think about where devoted UUs find their "congregation." (May 4, 2008)

Terri at "UU Intersections" praises the sense of excitement and generosity in her congregation:

[T]he enthusiasm for moving into all that we are capable of becoming seems to have taken hold; there is this sudden movement "beyond ourselves," of feeling transformed by mission.

Maybe one congregant said it best yesterday when she remarked during services that when she first came through our doors, it was out of her own needs. What could we offer her--a community, deeper spiritual experience, etc? Lately, though, she felt that her experience at the UU was asking something of her, was calling her to become her most authentic self, to live out her principles. She felt compelled to look outward, to give something of herself. (May 5, 2008)

But Shaktinah at "Wizdum.net" is more somber about congregational life. Even as she uses the internet to spread the word about Unitarian Universalism, she is ambivalent about whether or not our congregations will meet newcomers's needs:

I searched my brain for the experiences I'd had at church and most of what I could come up with was people engaging me in interesting conversations and giving me opportunities to engage in social justice issues. I could not picture - and I love my UU church very much - fellow congregants giving me support when I was stressed or down. I've sought and received it from my ministers, yes. There is a caring table where people sign cards, yes. And we share joys and concerns during the service, yes. And there are always those few people who seem to know and care about everyone... maybe it's just me that's making too big a deal out of this. (May 1, 2008)

The value of "staying put"

Jess at "Best of UU" spotlights a wonderful sermon by John Ockels of the Red River Unitarian Universalist Church in Denison, Texas. In "Shall We Dwell at the River?" Ockels encourages his congregation to become more firmly grounded in their local community:

This morning I'm here to criticize what I call "The Theology of Running Away." Enough already with the theology of Singing the Journey, This World Is Not My Home, running-all-over-creation-chasing My Elusive Dreams, and nostalgic floating around in a boat, never quite docking, never quite engaging. "I've been sailing all my life now, Never harbor nor port have I known." Please. Enough with all that. Enough with the theology of always being on a journey. It's officially wearing me out...

This morning I want to argue for a radical theology of loving where you are, staying put, spreading out, putting down roots…and taking over. (Posted May 5, 2008, preached April 27, 2008)

Lend a hand

Genevra at "One Joy, One Sorrow" reflects on the cyclone in Burma:

Sometimes you'll hear people remark that things could always be worse... that there are always people who are worse off than you are - the logic being that you should therefore count your blessings and stop your grousing about your own discomfort or sorrow.

I prefer to reframe it a bit: There are always people out there who could use some prayers (blessings, good thoughts, good energy) as much or more than you can. There are always people in need of help, compassion, love, and good will - whatever spirit you are able to give them. (May 5, 2008; the UUA and UU Service Committee are raising funds to help the cyclone's survivors)

Lizard Eater of "The Journey" has received an outpouring of support from Unitarian Universalist readers as her young daughter, nicknamed "Little Warrior" (LW), faces a second bout with cancer. In response to offers of assistance, she is asking that readers "do a good deed." She plans to create a book for her daughter featuring these acts of kindness, and has set up a new blog, "Love Through Action," to collect the stories. She writes:

You know what we need? A way to explain to LW when she's older that even though we empathically do NOT believe this happened for a reason...short of finding the cure for all cancer, there could not be a reason that would justify this happening to her ... even though this didn't happen for a reason, good still sprang from it. As good can spring from heartbreaking situations.

At the risk of sounding like a lifetime movie or a book by Mitch Albom ... I want to give her a book of good deeds done in her name. (May 4, 2008)

Not to be missed

Earthbound Spirit is proud of her daughter, who has overcome her fear of public speaking and helped lead a "bridging" worship at their congregation. Jason Pitzl-Waters at "The Wild Hunt" bemoans the encroachment on the separation of church and state in public schools. And the Rev. Scott Wells at "Boy in the Bands" expresses gratitude for Mildred Loving and her legacy of fighting for marriage equality.

Commercial culture, hymnal pedagogy, and more

2008-05-02T08:38:00.000-04:00

Unitarian Universalism and commercial culture

In his UU World article on raising Unitarian Universalist children, William Doherty warns of "three interrelated social pathologies of contemporary middle-class life—consumerism, time famine, and civic disengagement" (Spring 2008). But Kinsi of "Spirituality and Sunflowers" worries that Doherty offers a recipe for irrelevance:

By trying to remove your kids from pop culture and mainstream society, you will set their faith up for failure. The challenge of my generation, the "millennials" who are constantly busy and have been since we were born, is maintaining, no, adapting, our faith to fit our lifestyle. If we are taught that having deep Unitarian faith is only possible when we unplug from society and retreat back into the woods, then aside from feeling Unitarian guilt our faith will gradually disappear. (April 28, 2008)

Lizard Eater at "The Journey" agrees that Unitarian Universalists should not be too quick to eschew the spiritual opportunities provided by contemporary culture:

Meaning can be found in all kinds of places. It does not reside exclusively on the mountaintop, surrounded by nature and wide blue sky. Tish-tosh, who couldn’t find meaning there? But I don’t live on the mountaintop. I live down in the suburbs, and I think the Internet is a force that can pull together people like nothing else before; having "Dora the Explorer" DVDs and a portable DVD player have been lifesavers this week, and some of my favorite family memories have been us eating pizza in the living room, watching a movie or even American Idol. (April 28, 2008)

However, Hafidha Sofia of "Never Say Never to Your Traveling Self" comments at "The Journey":

I don't think there is any kind of "normal UUs" vs. "mountain top UUs" culture war going on within UUism.

There's nothing wrong with lattes, but the discussion Kinsi started . . . reminds me of the "war on Christmas" stuff, which I found to be largely manufactured. I don't like to see us going down that road because it strikes me as being divisive.

Teaching the living tradition?

After a trip to the New England Folk Festival, at which he learned about shape-note singing, the Rev. Dan Harper of "Yet Another Unitarian Universalist" critiques the current UU hymnals:

What particularly interested me is that shape-note singing connects a specific hymnal with the pedagogical method (teaching people how to sight-read music, etc.). Hymnals such as The Sacred Harp are both teaching tools, and liturgical resources. Compare that to the hymnal that I use everyday, Singing the Living Tradition, which seems to be written by musicians for other musicians; there is no concession made to the non-musician, and there are no singing schools to help people how to use that hymnal. The new Unitarian Universalist hymnal supplement, Singing the Journey, makes even less of a concession to non-musicians . . . (April 28, 2008).

Youth and young adult resolution analysis

Preparing to vote on the Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution as a delegate to this summer's General Assembly, Jess of "Jess's Journal" considers her own experience as a young adult Unitarian Universalist:

As a young parent, also, I never felt welcome at any of the young adult events even locally, since they seemed focused around hooking up rather than spiritual pursuits. In short, I wanted religion, "grown-up" religion, and those programs geared toward young adults that I had access to never seemed to offer that . . .

In short, I have always felt like an outsider when it comes to the young adult "movement" within the Unitarian Universalist movement, even though I am still squarely within the target demographic. (April 28, 2008)

In a follow-up post, Jess also offers an in-depth analysis of the Youth and Young Adult Empowerment Resolution.

Not to be missed

The Rev. James Ford of "Monkey Mind" live-blogs his candidating week at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, Rhode Island, starting with his post on the eve of his first Sunday. The Rev. Victoria Weinstein of "PeaceBang" sharply criticizes the UUA's "Now Is the Time" fundraising campaign and the UUA board's decision to pare down the number of independent affiliate organizations. Stephen Lingwood at "Reignite" questions whether non-creedal religion has a place for humanists. And Elizabeth at "Elizabeth's Little Blog" adds a different perspective to last week's discussion of ethical eating.

Food ethics, a son's addiction, and more

2008-04-25T22:51:00.001-04:00

Morality and food

Inspired by Earth Day, Plaidshoes at "Everyday Unitarian" considers making environmentally-friendly lifestyle changes. First on the list:

Get back to being more committed to veganism. I have been a vegetarian for over 17 years, but keep slipping when I try to be vegan. So much of the Earth's resources would be saved if people ate more ethically. (April 22, 2008)

But Jacqueline at "Moxie Life" points out that economic factors also shape decisions about food consumption:

[F]ood is only a choice for those who have the financial privilege to make that choice. It is an economics thing. If you come from a lower economic background or a definitive cultural background you will have food ideas around that. You MAY choose to break out of those ideas, but often, in the circumstances you CAN'T. You eat what is offered, and if you are lucky you are grateful. (April 22, 2008)

Response to a son's addiction

The Rev. Sean Parker Dennison at "ministrare" copes with his son's substance abuse:

It is very hard to face that I can't protect or save my son from this. Even though every day of parenting has been another lesson in letting go, this is excruciating. Almost as excruciating as finding another thing that is missing, stabbed, or destroyed because of his addiction and the behaviors it caused. I think, down deep, I have always believed that my love alone could protect and save my child. Even in this moment, I want that to be true. But it's not. And all those parents who have lost children to this disease loved them just as much as I love him. Welcome, compassion. (April 21, 2008)

Loved and chosen, no matter what

Marking her thirtieth birthday, the Rev. Nancy McDonald Ladd resists the urge to measure her life by her professional accomplishments:

It's tempting, at 30, to look back at my life and try to come up with all of the reasons these have been three decades of reasonably well lived life. It's tempting to try to justify the way I used those years and envision a new and improved me for the next 30. But I tell my people that they are loved and chosen, no matter what. Today, in honor of my birthday, I will endeavor to tell myself the same thing. (April 23, 2008)

Rejecting punitive theology

In response to the idea that tragedies are a form of "punishment" from God, the Rev. Fred Hammond at "A Unitarian Universalist Minister in Mississippi" writes:

[T]hings will happen in this world. Some things will be filled with pleasure and joy like sunshine causing rainbows after a thunderstorm. Some things will be filled with pain and sorrow like miscarriages and HIV/AIDS. But neither the rainbow nor the miscarriage is a result of our righteousness nor our wickedness. They just are. (April 21, 2008)

Not to be missed

At "UUCSR Writers," a blog organized by the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Santa Rosa, California, pseudonymous cparkhill1730 describes growing up with Asperbergers Syndrome. The Rev. Debra Haffner of "Sexuality and Religion: What's the Connection?" relates the Passover teaching on "dayenu" to sexual justice advocacy. And Mary Wellemeyer of "A Larger Faith" joyfully reports on the vote to merge the Unitarian Universalist Association's New Hampshire/Vermont and Northeast districts.

UUA's new ad, making family time, and more

2008-04-19T11:12:00.001-04:00

Analyzing new UUA ad

The Unitarian Universalist Association's national ad campaign entered its second stage last week, with a new ad in the April 14th issue of Time magazine. The ad's tagline is "When in Doubt, Pray. When in Prayer, Doubt." Reactions from Unitarian Universalist bloggers range from stinging criticism to strong praise.

The Rev. Victoria Weinstein at "Peacebang" characterizes the ad as "clever wordplay instead of a warm and loving invitation to find us and worship with us." She continues:

The best advertising for our tradition, or any tradition, is for our congregations to be healthy communities full of individuals who have a strong sense of ministry and are guided by an ethic of love and covenantal relationship. They should make the news for doing good works in the community, and when people walk through their doors (as they will if they are guided there by spiritual need, not prompted by an ad in Time magazine), they should encounter powerful worship services, quality religious education, well-organized, inclusive pastoral and prophetic ministries, and people with authentic welcome on their lips and in their hearts. (April 12, 2008)

The Rev. Ron Robinson at "Planting God Communities" offers a mixed review, comparing this ad to the first in the campaign: "At least this one conveys the image that UUs, and people, do pray, and that it is good to do so." Still, he wonder, "when it says 'in prayer, doubt' . . . Are you to pray and doubt that your prayer is helpful? Pray and doubt that anyone hears it? Pray and doubt the prayer itself?" (April 9, 2008)

Elizabeth Barrett at "ExUUberance," however, appreciates the ad's message and humor.

Many, many people have trouble with prayer because they don't have a clear idea about prayer -- do you have to believe in God to pray? I think the national marketing campaign taps into this question that many folks have.

Another thing that the general population seems to believe is that laughter is not allowed in church. Many people think of "churches" as somber, serious places. The national marketing campaign lets people know the importance UUs in general place on joy and humor. (April 10, 2008)

Making time for family

Hafidha Sofia at "Never Say Never to Your Traveling Self" reflects on her decision to spend more time with her grandmother:

I used to hear about old people in nursing homes whose families would visit them once a month or only on the holidays, and think, "That’s really sad; that’s your mom/dad/grandma/granddad!" And yet gradually, I'd become more and more distant from my own grandmother, just taking for granted that I’d spend more time with her "later." Looking back, I see how easily that happened. (April 10, 2008)

Not a Christian

The Rev. Matt Tittle at "Keep the Faith" explains why he identifies as Unitarian Universalist and not as Christian:

Christianity, in its essence, is an amazing faith. So are all other religions in their essence. Christianity, in practice, has caused much triumph and much tragedy in the world, as has every major sacred and secular institution.

I am not a Christian because I am a Unitarian Universalist . . . I don't think that everyone should be a Christian and I don't think everyone should be a Unitarian Universalist. We must all be true to the faith that calls us to be our best selves, to care for one another, and to be good stewards of the earth. (April 12, 2008)

Role of church staff

As his congregation searches for a part-time minister, David Markham at "Chalicefire" considers the role of professional staff in congregational life:

All the members of the congregation are leaders in some way and yet the professional staff have a special responsibility to be the steward of the vision, the catalyst that brings disparate ideas and efforts together, the orchestra conductor of sorts so that the congregation, the church community, can work together harmoniously in the pursuit of common goals. I don't know how a pastor does this effectively part time without strong lay leadership as well. (April 16, 2008).

Not to be missed

UUMomma recalls a dream about God. Jess of "Jess's Journal" reflects on parenting. Jeff at "Transient and Permanent" analyzes the "re-branding of the Unitarian Universalist Association" as an organization focused on congregations alone.

Military chaplaincy, debunking UU myths, and more

2008-04-11T12:06:00.001-04:00

Ministering in the military

A Unitarian Universalist pursuing a career in military chaplaincy, David Pyle at "Celestial Lands," explains the importance of this service:

By ministering to the young men and women most deeply affected by war, I am working for peace. Peace begins in the heart, and it is to the hearts of soldiers that I am called to minister. Your call to peace might be to stand in a line and yell at your opposition, waiving placards. I respect that. Heck, I've done that. My call to peace however, is to go to the front line and minister to souls, and I ask you to respect that both are valid and necessary if we are ever to really "study war no more." (April 5, 2008)

'Seekers and makers of the holy'

Elizabeth at "Elizabeth's Little Blog" offers a prayer, including these words:

may we find the holy in our coffee, in the spider whose lovely eight legs carry her effortlessly over her web, in the kiss goodnight, in the hot meal, fuzzy blanket, and in the chill of the dark night air. may we be seekers and makers of the holy. (April 8, 2008)

Debunking myths

Stephen Merino at "Reason and Reverence" rejects the idea that "anything goes" in Unitarian Universalism:

The more I think about the 'anything goes' myth the more disturbed I get. I think it should bother UUs that this idea exists. I think the 'anything goes' idea becomes ridiculous if you understand the seven principles of UUism and the ideal of living ethically, responsibly, lovingly, and actively engaged in bettering the world. (April 8, 2008)

And the UU Republican challenges a commenter's assertion that Republican Unitarian Universalists are unusual:

Are we really that odd?

I'd say we are about as odd as Catholic Democrats. We both feel like we belong spiritually, just not politically. So we stay, regardless of what other people may think of us, because UU is our spiritual home. It's our turf too. (April 3, 2008)

The UU Republican also responds to the question "Are UU values compatible with the Republican Party?"

Reconnecting with the natural world

Adding to last week's discussion about Unitarian Universalism and Paganism, Earthbound Spirit writes that, although she does not identify as pagan, she is "deeply connected to this earth." She explains:

I believe that we humans are truly creatures of this earth — this planet . . . Here is where we came into being, this earth is where we evolve(d), we live, we die, we live on in those who come after us. We emerged, with other life forms, from the chaos, part of continuous creation/ongoing evolution. (April 3, 2008)

Louis Merlin at "Atlanta Unitarian" also values "our vital connections with the earth and its cycles," warning readers:

[A]ll the virtues of the modern world — convenience, speed, mass production — serve to disconnect us from the consequences of our actions, and serve to make us less cognizant of our many interdependent relationships with the world around us. And it seems to me there is a relationship between our disconnection with the world around us and our dissatisfaction, our modern ennui. When we become primarily or exclusively consumers, optimizers, an audience, a target market, we lose much of what makes life gratifying and grounded. (April 6, 2008)

Not to be missed

Rev. Ricky Hoyt at "One More Step" tells of a story about the intersection of "joys and sorrows." John Crovis at "The Pageless Book" explains his enthusiastic interest in conversing with atheists. And the Rev. Scott Wells at "Boy in the Bands" asserts that Christianity is "an itchy and integral part of our identity" as Unitarian Universalists.

Pagan UUs, Emerson attacks, the God option, and more

2008-04-04T12:41:00.001-04:00

Paganism and Unitarian Universalism

The Rev. Kit Ketcham at "Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Roadshow" asks for stories from Unitarian Universalists about their experiences with paganism (April 2, 2008). Lizard Eater of "The Journey" remembers discovering Wicca, and the impact of that discovery on her understanding of Unitarian Universalism:

Wicca was a part of my journey and parts of it remain with me still. And ultimately, it has given me a deeper appreciation for Unitarian Universalism. I was born and raised UU and so it was something that I could take for granted. But now, when someone walks in our doors and after their first UU worship experience, with glowing eyes, they say, "This is my religion, that I never knew existed" . . . I know what they mean. I’ve had that moment, too. Through Wicca. (April 2, 2008)

In the comments on Ketcham's post, UU blogger Jamie Goodwin of "Druuid" also describes his attraction to Paganism:

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons for living a pagan path has to do with the ability to take an active role in the building of my life. Many pagan paths believe in such a thing as magic and even the act of communing and calling upon the Gods is an act of defining, building, and sensing the internal power within.

Emerson attack ad

In the spirit of this year's U.S. presidential election, the Rev. Dan Harper of "Yet Another Unitarian Universalist" offers a parody attack ad against famous Unitarian Ralph Waldo Emerson, on behalf of the fictitious "[William Ellery] Channing and Traditional Liberal Religion Committee" (March 28, 2008).

Lay leadership in worship

Reporting from the National Conference for Large Congregations, Elizabeth Barrett of "ExUUberance" responds to a workshop on worship and describes her own experience of helping lead worship:

There was a time that I was in the pulpit for what (to me) was an extended period: ten minutes. I admitted that I was nervous, so the minister helping reassured me immediately by saying that every UU comes to services wanting to engage with us — no one is here because they have to come! Plus, he told me that our pulpit is shaped like a hug and would hug me while I spoke. My nervousness disappeared immediately! (March 29, 2008)

Highlights of the British General Assembly

The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches in the United Kingdom held its annual meetings on March 26-29, 2008. The Assembly's website features a list of resolutions passed at this year's meetings, and a report on Growth and Renewal Day. The latter report states:

The most popular themes were Numerical & Spiritual Growth. The general focus on achieving these was through attending to the welcome given to both new visitors and existing members of our congregations, ensuring buildings, both interior & exterior, are warm, welcoming and identifiable as Unitarian, experimenting with worship times and styles, re-igniting the passion and soul of our movement and living our faith and values through outreach into the local communities.

Stephen Lingwood of "Reignite" offers an eyewitness account of the meetings. (See his posts on the first, second, third, and fourth days.) He writes:

Overall I enjoyed GA. The best bits aren't necessarily the formal bits but the conversations over coffee, breakfast or drinks in the bar. There are some really remakable people in our Unitarian community, and it's good to rub shoulders with them. One snatched 20 second conversation is going to stay with me for a long time. (March 31, 2008)

And the Rev. Eric Cherry, at the UUA's Advocacy & Witness Staff Group blog "Inspired Faith, Effective Action," offers additional coverage of the meetings.

Not to be missed

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville's "FUUN Blog" celebrates the church's decision to call the Rev. Jason Shelton to be their associate minister for music, a first for the Unitarian Universalist Association. (Shelton, an ordained minister in fellowship with the UUA, has been the church's music director.) The Rev. Victoria Weinstein of "Peacebang" reacts to the slogan used by the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, "God is Optional, You are Not." And Terri Pahucki of "UU Intersections" explains in response why she believes "God is far from optional in church."

Videos and forums, Obama and Wright, and more

2008-03-28T12:48:00.002-04:00

New ways to share Unitarian Universalism online

There's a new resource for finding Unitarian Universalist videos online. UUPlanet.tv, created by Peter Bowden, showcases high quality videos about Unitarian Universalism. Bowden explains the purpose of the site: "It is two fold, to make it easier for newcomers to our faith to sit down and explore what we are all about, and to make it easier for existing Unitarian Universalists to show their friends and colleagues the same."

The site has special sections of videos related to the UUA presidential election, "UU outreach," and other topics.

It's long been known that newcomers to Unitarian Universalism ask questions about our faith at Beliefnet's Unitarian Universalism forum. But it turns out that Yahoo! Answers is also a hotbed of discussion about UUism, too. Recent questions asked by users include "Has anyone been to a Unitarian Universalist service?" and "Are you a Unitarian Universalist?" Ted Pack, of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stanislaus County in Modesto, California, has been answering inquiries on Yahoo! Answers for at least a year, and other Unitarian Universalists also contribute.

At Amazon.com, religious educator Maurine Harrison has created a book list featuring children's books related to the UUA's Seventh Principle ("Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part"; here's all seven). According to Harrison, "These books are also recommended for use in any curriculum or purpose that seeks to promote an awareness, love and care of our natural world." Harrison serves as co-director of Religious Education at the First Unitarian Church in Lynchburg, Virginia.

Barack Obama's "A More Perfect Union" speech

Unitarian Universalist bloggers and leaders reacted in recent weeks to the controversy surrounding Senator Barack Obama's relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and spoke out in praise of Obama's recent speech.

At "Rev Rose," the Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt writes:

I felt he articulated on my behalf the wound of slavery in a way no contemporary public person has in a generation. And in articulating it so clearly, and in its full context, he invited me and other African-Americans, to risk putting aside its memory for the sake of something more important: the future of my country. The brilliance of his speech was that he did not simply do the same old thing and ask black people to get over it. He asked us to own the truth of our experiences, to acknowledge the truth of the experiences of whites, and to recognize that some of what troubles us is our collective ignorance about race , about history and about one another. (March 20, 2008).

UUA President William G. Sinkford, in a statement on the UUA's website, called Obama's speech "that rarest of opportunities":

Much of the conversation about race is so filled with political correctness that truth is hard to come by. Whites move so easily to denial, citing the progress that has been made in recent decades and glossing over the glaring disparities in opportunity, income, even incarceration that remain. African Americans and people of color generally, including myself, show up defensive, afraid that the reality of our lives will, yet again, be deemed unimportant, that we will, yet again, be made invisible. Honesty has been simply too hard to come by, at least in mixed company.

Obama's speech, by naming the honest concerns and fears on both sides of the racial divide, presents us with that rarest of opportunities, an invitation to re-engage with an issue many people would prefer to ignore. I hope and pray that we have the courage to take advantage of this gift. (March 24, 2008)

Chris Walton of "Philocrites" analyzes the controversy around Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama:

Now perhaps earlier generations of preachers would have condemned the nation's sinfulness in slightly more orotund ways than Wright's "God damn America," but that's hardly a new sentiment from the pulpit. Wright said God damns America for its violence, its oppression, its racism. Republican-aligned or right-leaning pastors routinely say God damns America for a different set of "sins" ranging from legalized abortion to gay marriage to liberalism. Sadly, what will probably startle many white Americans is the discovery that resentment and anger about white racism is very much alive and well in the black church, and in the church that Obama belongs to. (March 16, 2008)

Holy week concludes

On Easter, the Rev. A.C. Miles of "Auspicious Jots" writes that, to her, "resurrection is about the slow invisible pulse of life that flows in our seasons and quickens in Spring."

Resurrection is people who live in the dark and endless tunnels of depression who see a glimmer of light and have the courage and the stamina to start running for it. And the darkness is so much more than that little flicker of light, but they run and run and run . . .

Resurrection is leaving a little bit of room in your life for the impossible to take root and become possible. (March 23, 2008)

Meanwhile, David Markham at "Chalicefire" reflects on Holy Saturday and Steven Lingwood at "Reignite" suggests a Unitarian approach to Good Friday.

Reactions to 'UU World'

Steve Thorngate at Utne Reader's Politics blog highlights James Loewen's UU World article on "sundown towns" (Spring 2008) and publicizes Loewen's tips for finding out if a given town excluded African Americans. Thorngate writes:

Loewen offers some savvy strategies for getting information that people might not be thrilled to share. And he urges those who do uncover damning evidence to publicize it and force their communities to own up to their ugly pasts, because doing so also can compel people to address the segregation and discrimination that still exist today. (March 21, 2008)

UU Pagan blogger Jason Pitzl-Waters of "The Wild Hunt" notes Patricia Montley's article on Persephone (March 24, 2008). Pitzl-Waters observes, "While I might quibble with the idea of Winter being 'gray' and 'fallow', after enduring a snow storm the other day, I truly hunger for the 'joy' of a true Spring" (March 24, 2008).

Columnist Doug Muder invites reader feedback to his essay, "Unfinished with Christianity," at his blog "Free and Responsible Search" (March 24, 2008).

Not to be missed

The Rev. Debra Haffner of "Sexuality and Religion: What's the Connection" asserts that, despite media hype to the contrary, women can enjoy having both a career and a family. The Rev. David Gillespie of "David's Dish" suggests a change in vocabulary for Unitarian Universalists. And Jacqueline of "Moxie Life" tells a poignant story of being "duped" by a car salesman when she was a teen.

Holy week, memories of a Unitarian childhood, and more

2008-03-21T11:15:00.002-04:00

Holy week

In the midst of Holy Week, Unitarian Universalists from different theological perspectives engage with Christian ritual and story.

Mama G at "Mom to the Left" observes Palm Sunday as a Unitarian Universalist Christian:

This morning I went along as co-teacher on a field trip with our 5th/6th grade RE class to an outdoor retreat center at a Catholic church so that we could walk the Stations of the Cross. . . We took 8 of our young people and 6 adults. Of course, we framed it all in our UU perspective, but I have to say it is one of the few experiences that I've had at the UU church which really struck me to the core. (March 16, 2008)

Terri Pahucki at "UUIntersections" considers Jesus's life from a non-Christian perspective:

Maybe there is even a place for a "non-believing" UU like me in the story of Christ. Jesus was, after all, condemned for no other crime than heresy! Maybe, then, there is a place in the Christian story for one who does not share in traditional Christian beliefs. Maybe there is a place for humanists, for pantheists, and maybe even for atheists? While I do not feel fully comfortable in Christian communities, I think that I may be able to find my own place within the Christian story. (March 16, 2008)

For reflections on Palm Sunday, visit the Rev. Andrew Brown at "CAUTE," the Rev. Kit Ketcham at "Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show," and the Rev. Victoria Weinstein at "Peacebang."

Critiquing a classic

A newcomer to Unitarian Universalism, embroiderama of "Embroidering the Truth," critiques the Unitarian Universalist classic A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, by John Buehrens and Forrest Church. While acknowledging that A Chosen Faith is "beautifully written," she is concerned that "for a book acting as the introduction to a diverse faith, the authors are not diverse." She asks:

Where is the book I want to see? I want a book of essays by women and men from various backgrounds, who came to Unitarian Universalism in different ways and followed different paths under the UU umbrella. (March 16, 2008)

Memories of a Unitarian childhood

ASW of "Seven Hundred Fifty Words" gives a delightful reflection on growing up at the First Parish Church of Sudbury, Massachusetts. She recalls her Sunday school teacher, Mr. Fischer, and the classes he taught in the woods near the church:

As is true of most important memories, I remember these mornings as sensory experiences, the literal opposite of a lecture or the way most people use the word "sermon." In fact, although as we got older we did go into the main church to hear the sermons, for me a sermon will always be Mr. Fisher explaining how tadpoles transformed into frogs, not just explaining it, though, but showing us: as we crouched around him in the cool dark woods around the edge of this little pond and saw what actually is a miracle, Unitarian-style. (March 16, 2008)

Not to be missed

The Rev. James Ford at "Monkey Mind" pens a very short autobiography. Jeff at "Transient and Permanent" helps you brush up on Unitarian Universalist history with his series of trivia questions and Universalist quotations. And the Rev. William Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, delivers a sobering YouTube message about the war in Iraq. The text of Sinkford's remarks is also available.

UU comfort, shared salvation, 'militant Unitarians,' and more

2008-03-14T10:04:00.001-04:00

Comforted by Unitarian Universalism

Jacqueline at "Moxie Life" got Unitarian Universalist bloggers talking with her question, "How does being a Unitarian bring comfort during a time of crisis?" (March 7, 2008)

In response, UUMomma recounts the comfort she received from a friend at church after her father's death:

I got the phone call, from a woman at church who teaches my daughters and had heard from them about my dad. She'd skipped the service after RE and come home to fix us all a casserole. And when I got her phone call, I cried for the first time since hearing the news of my father's death. "Oh, yes," I remembered, "we do need to eat!" More than that, it was a visceral response to someone providing care to me, my family . . . (March 7, 2008)

Lizard Eater at "The Journey" describes how Unitarian Universalism helped her during her daughter's battle with cancer:

UU or Catholic or Jew, we all come to the same place: I can't understand why things like this happen.

Whether we say, "God understands the reason," or "No one understands, for there is no reason," the end result is the same. Understanding why may be beyond our human comprehension.

Unitarian Universalism, as a religion, gave me the comfort that the questions I struggled with were not new. I was merely one in a line of humanity who has wept and shook my fist and questioned. (March 7, 2008)

And Dubhlainn at "Druuid" lists some of the things that comfort him:

I find comfort in the generous mind and heart.
I find comfort in poetry and resolute voice.
I find comfort in breaking down barriers.
I find comfort in traditional song and ageless ritual.
I find comfort in throwing tradition away and seeking anew. (March 11, 2008)

He adds, "Oh yes, I find comfort in Unitarian Universalism. At its best it is a place where each is honored, and loved, and given the space and opportunity to find their own truths."

Shared salvation

At "the yes church," Chip reacts to Esther Hurlburt's recent UU World essay about her congregation's outreach to a woman named Marie. Hurlburt concludes, "We ladies didn't take Jesus to Marie or convert her in any way. We just let her find her own way, and that was her salvation." (Spring 2008)

Considering the final sentence, Chip writes:

I'm disturbed by the implication that we can or must save ourselves. I am not certain that this is what Ms. Hurlburt meant, but that is the way I read it. Martha's "earth-centered presence," and Leslie's Course in Miracles spirituality and Susan's atheist presence and Frances' AA-based words and Marybeth's poetry all impacted Marie. These women did not "let her find her own way"—they shared her journey, and showed her what gave them the strength to carry on, in their own paths. (March 11, 2008)

America's 'militant Unitarian' founding fathers

Steven Waldman, author of Founding Faith: Providence, Politics, and the Birth of Religious Freedom in America and editor-in-chief of Beliefnet, asserts at "TPMCafe" that the founding fathers can be described as "militant Unitarians":

As for their religious beliefs, someone in the comment thread said I was being incoherent or contradictory by saying the Big Five (Franklin, Adams, Jefferson, Washington & Madison) were neither Deists nor orthodox Christians. . . . [I]f I had to pick a religion, I'd say they were sort of militant Unitarians. In other words, they had rejected or become uncomfortable with key parts of Christian doctrine and institutional behavior but they did believe in an active God, who intervened in their lives and the lives of the nation. (March 12, 2008)

For two new books by UU ministers on the religious politics of America's founders, see Forrest Church's So Help Me God: The Founding Fathers and the First Great Battle Over Church and State and Gary Kowalski's Revolutionary Spirits: The Enlightened Faith of America's Founding Fathers.

Not to be missed

The Rev. Michael McGee of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia, continues his "Two Minute Timeout" talks on YouTube, in which he addresses themes related to Unitarian Universalism. Jess of "Jess's Journal" argues that Unitarian Universalism doesn't generate enough "ongoing public discussion between our own ministers." And Chutney at "Making Chutney" offers four rules for congregational life.

Becoming a minister, UU parenting, the impact of prayer, and more

2008-03-07T09:32:00.004-05:00

Preparing for ministry

As John Pageless of "The Pageless Book" considers a career in ministry, he interviews the Rev. Kit Ketcham of "Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show." They discuss her career path, her experiences as a blogger, and the differences between Unitarian Universalist congregations on the East and West coasts. When John expresses concern about the financial obstacles to becoming a minister, Ketcham advises him:

The journey into ministry often takes a long time. I would just recommend that you not be discouraged and that you recognize that every day you spend NOT a minister is preparation for becoming a minister. Use everything that happens to you as preparation. It’s the figurative money in the bank of life . . . Be involved as deeply as you can in your local congregation; start something new there; try your wings at something new. (March 5, 2008)

Unitarian Universalist parenting

Responding to William Doherty's UU World article on raising Unitarian Universalists (Spring 2008), Elizabeth Barrett at "ExUUberance" shares stories of the lifelong Unitarian Universalists that she admires. Barrett affirms Doherty's argument that the home life of Unitarian Universalist children, and the level of their parents' engagement with Unitarian Universalism, shapes their relationship to Unitarian Universalism throughout life. She writes:

The UUs I know who grew up in homes with strong links to our religious movement demonstrate a high level of commitment to our faith and can lead the way for the rest of us, if we pay attention. (March 4, 2008)

The Rev. Cynthia P. Cain strikes a similar note at "Isten Aldjon, Y'all":

Going to church on a regular basis, whether that is once a month or once a week, shouldn't be optional. It's not about whether your kid thinks Sunday is cool enough, entertaining enough, or stimulating enough to bother coming. Because the world needs you and your children, your gifted, courageous, phenomenal children, to be Unitarian Universalists. It's not about what you and they can get; it's about what they can give. (March 1, 2008)

And continuing the recent discussion about adult church attendance, Chalicechick at "The Chaliceblog" offers the list of reasons that she enjoys going to worship on Sundays. The list includes "Because I can sing and pray and talk to people who are making the same spiritual trip I am, though usually by a different route" and "Because the UUs I've known, even the annoying ones, have done so much for other people and the world, I like to keep an eye out for things I can do to help them and help UUism." (February 28, 2008).

Doubts about just war theory

R. Elena Tabachnick of "Wandering Monk, Relunctant Gyrovague" critiques Paul Rasor's UU World article on a Unitarian Universalist approach to nonviolence (Spring 2008). Rasor argues that "The restrictive just war model is . . . a valuable tool" for Unitarian Universalists, but Tabachnick argues that just war theory was actually developed to circumvent the peaceful orientation of early Christianity. She writes, "As the teachings of Jesus were abandoned, a Christian 'Just War theology' was born." (March 4, 2008).

Love and prayer

At "Reflections," the Rev. Marilyn Sewell recounts being approached by an acquaintance who asked her to pray for his ill friend. Sewell is moved by this man's love for his friend, even as she is unsure about the impact her prayers will have:

So, does prayer work? I don't know the answer, in all its dimensions. But prayer changes people. Love changes people. And that's enough miracle for me. (March 4, 2008)

Not to be missed

Elsewhere in the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere, the Rev. Christine Robinson evaluates models for contemporary worship, the Rev. James Ford reflects on "second acts," and Louis Merlin lifts up "the value of making and cultivating memories."

Churchgoing among Unitarian Universalists, goals for growth, and more

2008-02-29T11:50:00.004-05:00

Survey: More than 600,000 Unitarian Universalists

The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life released its "U.S. Religious Landscape Survey," which states that 0.3% of American adults are Unitarian Universalists. UUs are counted with "Other Faiths"; click "Other Faiths" and then click "Unitarians and Other Liberal Faiths" to see the 0.3% figure. The full 140-page report (PDF) presents all religious affiliations on a single chart on page 12. Other tables showing Unitarian Universalist data compared to other religious traditions include "Marital Status" (page 75), "Race" (page 78), "Income Level" (page 81), "Age" (page 84), "Educational Level" (page 87), "Number of Children" (page 90), "Region" (page 93), and "Gender" (page 96). The Pew Forum also offers links to news coverage of the survey.

Reacting to the survey, Jeff at "Transient and Permanent" calculates that "the number of adult Unitarian-Universalists in America is approximately 683,000 (rounded)." He also estimates that there are approximately 220,000 to 225,00 UU children. Comparing these numbers to the UUA's data on congregational membership, Jeff concludes, "approximately 76% of UUs are not members of an UUA congregation, while only 24% of UUs do currently belong to a UUA congregation." (February 25, 2008)

Why aren't more UUs members of congregations?

Two Unitarian Universalist bloggers have offered explanations for the high number of Unitarian Universalists who are not members of congregations. Longtime Unitarian Universalist Stephanie Anagnoson at "Surviving the Workday" tells readers why she stopped attending church, and offers these suggestions for making congregations more appealing:

1. Don't make church the end-all-be-all-of-ministry and of religious and spiritual experience, because it's not. It's a part, and not the whole.

2. Offer an alternative service time.

3. Spend considerable time understanding how to minister single people and people who don't have kids. Ask them what they want. I'm guessing it's not folk dancing.

4. Stand up to The Crazies. (February 27, 2008)

Lizard Eater, of "The Journey," gives related reasons that her Unitarian Universalist siblings don't go to church: they don't have children, their weekend time is limited, and they may not be aware of what church has to offer. (February 27, 2008)

Growth targets for Unitarian Universalism?

Unitarian Universalist bloggers are also discussing a growth challenge set out by the Rev. Ron Robinson at "Planting God Communities" back in 2006. He considers Lynn Schaller's advice that religious groups "launch three new missions annually for every one hundred congregations in that organization." Robinson notes, "For the UUA that would mean starting 33 plants annually." (July 19, 2006)

Stephen Lingwood at "Reignite" reconsiders Robinson's post in the context of Unitarianism in the United Kingdom. He writes, "This, for British Unitarianism, would mean about 5 new churches a year... OK, let's be really pessimistic and say 1 new congregation a year. We're probably losing congregations at about that rate anyway. Is that crazily impossible or very possible and wise?" (February 21, 2008)

The Rev. Dan Harper at "Yet Another Unitarian Universalist" integrates his response to Lingwood with a critique of Holly Ulbrich's recent UU World article on the fellowship movement.

Ulbrich writes in her assessment of the fellowship movement: "Just as congregations reach growth plateaus, so did the movement as a whole. The program had already planted fellowships in the most promising communities, leaving fewer targets for additional growth" (Spring 2008). But Harper calls this argument into question:

While there’s no doubt that the movement reached a growth plateau in 1958, was that a cause of the declining number of new church starts, or a result? Inadequate funding for the major growth initiative of the denomination could be a big part of the reason for the decline that occurred in Unitarian Universalist membership from c. 1961, until a small amount of growth began happening c. 1980. (February 21, 2008)

With this lesson in mind, Harper advocates instead that Unitarian Universalist districts and "grant-making bodies" should increase financial support for new congregations and outreach programs.

To find more UU blogs, visit the links in the sidebar.

Blog awards, UU congregationalism, marriage joys, and more

2008-02-21T12:13:00.002-05:00

Congratulations, UU Blog Award winners!

Congratulations to the winners of the 2008 UU Blog Awards! The following blogs topped the winners list: "Auspicious Jots" by the Rev. A.C. Miles, "Beauty Tips for Ministers" and "Peacebang" by the Rev. Victoria Weinstein, "The Chaliceblog" by Chalicechick, "The Journey" by Lizard Eater, "Mom, What's For Dinner?" by Anna Banana, "Sexuality and Religion: What's the Connection?" by the Rev. Debra Haffner, and "Sisyphus" by Stephen Retherford.

How central are congregations to Unitarian Universalism?

On the heels of last week's debate over the relationship between the UUA and the continental youth and young adult organizations, UU bloggers are having a lively conversation about the congregation-based understanding of Unitarian Universalism.

At "Philocrites," Chris Walton explains the congregation-based model: "Some people identify 'Unitarian Universalism' with liberal religious congregationalism. By this view, one can't 'be' a UU without being a member of a UU congregation, at least not fully." But he argues against this approach, noting, "The limitation of Unitarian Universalist congregationalism is that 'Unitarian Universalism' exists beyond the limits of congregational affiliation, and beyond the formal boundaries of the UUA" (February 15, 2008).

Patrick Murfin at "Heretic, Rebel, a Thing to Flout" also has doubts about the congregation-based model. He asserts that "strict congregationalism . . . breaks down connectivity beyond the very local level and excludes the individual entirely. In this model there are no Unitarian Universalists, only book signed members of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Middlebrow, The First Society Nogodtalkhere, the UU Fellowship of Obscurity, etc." (February 16, 2008).

Perhaps offering a middle ground, David Pyle at "Celestial Lands" argues that Unitarian Universalism is a "movement" that has room for both the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUAoC), with a congregation-based approach, and other independent groups that are focused on extracongregational programs. He writes, "The key to this is that the UUAoC is not responsible for the health and vitality of the Movement of Unitarian Universalism and Liberal Faith . . . we are" (February 19, 2008).

But Chutney at "Making Chutney" responds to Pyle with a strong defense of the congregation-based model: "The movement known as Unitarian Universalism is kept alive by actual people who are actual members of actual congregations. Other facets of the movement contribute to its vitality in their own ways, but their importance pales in comparison to actual members of actual congregations." (February 19, 2008)

The joys of marriage

Three UU bloggers reflect on the joys of marriage. Terri Dennehy Pahucki at "UUIntersections" describes the kind things her husband does to make her life a little easier. He "gives me twenty minutes of reading time at the bookstore--with the book he purchased from his gift card-- while he entertains the children in the kids' section" (February 14, 2008).

uuMomma shares lessons from a long-married friend:

That was the same woman who told me that the good thing about being married is that you have an ally in all things (okay, most things). I think this is a truth lost on young and old lovers today. It is this image that urges me to be an advocate for marriage equality, and wonder who are we to deny sanctification of relationships based on this truth–that we all need someone who has our back at all times, a someone we can retreat to, a someone we can care for and be cared by, and in that caring and holding, feel the love of the universe course through us, allowing us to turn love back out into the universe in whatever form it finds. (February 15, 2008)

And having recently returned from leading a workshop for couples, the Rev. Debra Haffner of "Sexuality and Religion: What's the Connection?" writes:

[O]nce again, I learned the powerful permission giving role that clergy can play in affirming that sexuality is part of God's blessing and how in even the most conservative religions, sexuality in marriage is to be enjoyed and celebrated. As I told one couple, God wants you to have great sex! I wish more clergy were giving that message! (February 18, 2008)

Explaining Unitarian Universalism

Over at "Street Prophets," a group blog about religion and progressive politics, pseudonymous bloggers Sister Quaterstaff of Undeclared Grace, ogre, lonespark, and bleeding heart are introducing readers to Unitarian Universalism. Their post on UUism answers such questions as "Where and when did Unitarian Universalism start and how?" and "What do you most like and most want to change about Unitarian Universalism?" (February 20, 2008). As of Thursday morning (February 21, 2008), the post has received 70 comments, mostly offering additional questions and answers about UUism.

To find more UU blogs, visit the links in the sidebar.

YRUU and C*UUYAN funding, attracting newcomers, and more

2008-02-15T16:36:00.002-05:00

What's ahead for Continental YRUU and C*UUYAN?

Youth and adult bloggers are avidly discussing a letter from the steering committee of Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU), an organization of UU youth, announcing that the Unitarian Universalist Association will cease funding continental YRUU. The UUA itself has not yet confirmed the funding cuts, but UUA President William G. Sinkford issued a letter acknowledging that "our youth and young adult ministries are in a time of transition." He promised further details within a week.

Some are sympathetic to the decision. The Rev. Dan Harper, at "Yet Another Unitarian Universalist," observes, "YRUU-sponsored continental events, such as the now-defunct Continental Conference (ConCon), looked like insider events, restricted to the very few teens who could afford to attend" (February 12, 2008).

The Rev. Christine Robinson strikes a similar note at "iMinister": "It has definitely seemed to me that something has been awry with YRUU and its focus on Cons as the be-all and end-all of Youth programs" (February 12, 2008).

But others note the value of YRUU for those youth it does serve, and lament the loss of funding. Writing at the LiveJournal community "chalice_circle," Flo describes YRUU as "a community that can save lives, a place where people who feel like outcasts everywhere else can find acceptance, and where important issues can be brought out in the open for discussion" (February 11, 2008).

Jeff Liebman at "uujeff's muse kennel and pizzatorium" also worries: "A key problem with this decision is that it disempowers a ministry that traditionally must fight for legitimacy" (February 12, 2008).

YRUU's steering committee has created two blogs that address the UUA's decision: "YRUU UUlogy," which includes key documents and links, and "YRUU Institutional Memory Project," which features testimonies about the history of YRUU and its predecessor, Liberal Religious Youth (LRY).

At "Philocrites," UU World editor Chris Walton notes that the steering committee of the Continental UU Young Adult Network (C*UUYAN) also announced this week that the UUA has withdrawn "funding and staff support" for C*UUYAN, too. He adds: "It seems important to note how much information isn't yet in circulation about these decisions."

As of Thursday morning (February 14, 2008), a new Facebook group, "Unitarian Universalist Youth and Young Adult Empowerment," had attracted over 350 members. The group reports that "Continental UUYAN is working towards securing financial independence."

Other blog posts on the topic include Stephanie Anagnoson's "YRUU and Me" (February 13, 2008) at "Surviving the Workday"; Kelsey Atherton's "RIP YRUU," (February 12, 2008) at "Plastic Manzikert"; Chalicechick's "YRUU" (February 13, 2008) at "The Chaliceblog"; Cloverdew's "Let's Make This Something Better, Stronger, Something Worth Fighting For" (February 13, 2008) at "chalice_circle"; the Rev. Dr. Daniel O'Connell's "UUA Administration Breaks Up YRUU Steering Committee" (February 13, 2008) at "UUA Politics"; and the Rev. Leela Sinha's "Ending YRUU, First Responses" (February 13, 2008) at "Speak the Truth in Love."

Attracting newcomers to Unitarian Universalism

Inspired by Doug Muder, who wrote about Unitarian Universalism and the working class for UU World (Fall 2007), Elizabeth Barrett at "exUUberance" offers "tips for welcoming working class people when they visit our UU congregations" (February 8, 2008). Tip #1:

Acknowledge that working class UUs exist in our congregations already. This is an important first step. If Unitarian Universalists continue to say that UUs are all middle class and above, all highly-educated and all privileged, they will immediately alienate working class people.

Meanwhile, the Rev. Kit Ketcham at "Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show" offers a list of reasons "Why People Choose Unitarian Universalism" (February 9, 2008).

Spiritual reflections on Lent, atheism

Adding to the conversation on Lent (see "The Interdependent Web," February 8, 2008), Mama G at "Mom to the Left" describes her changing understanding of this season:

I realize that rather than a burden, Lent is an opportunity. Twice a year (Advent being the second such time) I can focus with more intention on my spirituality and grow closer to God. (February 7, 2008)

In "It Happened at 12," however, OnlyConnect remembers vividly a childhood experience of wanting to believe in God, and realizing she could not.

To find more UU blogs, visit the links in the sidebar.

Obama's blog surge, thoughts on Lent, and more

2008-02-08T10:53:00.001-05:00

Obama wins UU blog primary

At last, something almost all Unitarian Universalist bloggers can agree on: Barack Obama's campaign for president! Over twenty UU bloggers posted praise for Obama in the days surrounding Super Tuesday.

As Chutney at "Making Chutney" asks, "Why Are So Many UUs for Obama?" (February 3, 2008). The Rev. Sean Parker Dennison at "ministrare" answers: "Because he is the first candidate since I've been of voting age to embody intelligence, inspiration, and integrity" (February 4, 2008).

At the end of a three-part series comparing Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, Jess of "Jess's Journal" concludes in Obama's favor: "Obama sees the Presidency as an opportunity to bring people together to make this country what it ought to be, to give the government back to the people, to create solutions with the input of the people they will effect most" (February 3 2008).

But Joel Monka at "CUUMBAYA" argues that Unitarian Universalists are overly focused on the presidential race, at the expense of statewide and local contests that are "more important" (February 4, 2008). And Earthbound Spirit worries that liberal religion is in danger of being too politicized. She argues that liberal religious preachers should have a message that is "prophetic" rather than "political" (February 4, 2008).

Ashes to ashes?

Lent began with Ash Wednesday on February 6, and two Unitarian Universalist bloggers are discussing the place of this season in contemporary Unitarian Universalism.

Plaid Shoes at "Everyday Unitarian" suggests that Unitarian Universalists can appreciate Lent as a time for introspection: "I would challenge each of you to take these next forty days to develop your own faith statements and start spring with a renewed Spirit!" (February 5, 2008).

The Real Anonymous, at "it's 5 o'clock somewhere," values Lent for a different reason (February 5, 2008):

There are not many times during a year that UUs are asked to SACRIFICE anything, if they're asked to at all. Lent is all about sacrifice and what that sacrifice means. And I think that's a lost virtue and one that UUs need to recover.

Children and race

John Pageless at "The Pageless Book" and Lizard Eater at "The Journey" offer contrasting understandings of how children deal with race.

John recounts an experience from his own childhood (February 5, 2008):

I accused a black child of drinking my beverage when I wasn't looking. My so-called proof was the swirling of my own saliva in my cup. I believed, at that time, that what I was looking at was his 'blackness' that had come off from his skin. When I told an adult, I felt the squirming warmth of revenge uncoil in my heart and was satisfied that justice had been done.

John uses this story to illustrate that personal racism is virulent and that the "struggle" against it is a life-long process.

Lizard Eater tells a different story. Her 8-year-old daughter recognizes differences in skin color and has been teased by other children for having a black friend. Yet, Lizard Eater writes, her daughter is "race-blind" (February 5, 2008).

Kindness in congregational life

On the subject of congregational life, the Rev. James Ford of "Monkey Mind" reminds readers that everyday kindness between congregants is essential (February 6, 2008):

Someone once observed, "The loneliest hour she ever spent was the coffee hour following worship services." I'm haunted and distressed by this. It should never be. A genuine and lively church is built upon the friendly touch and kind word.

To find more UU blogs, visit the links in the sidebar.

Welcome to The Interdependent Web

2008-02-01T14:21:00.004-05:00

One of the most popular features uuworld.org is Unitarian Universalists in the Media, our weekly news blog. Each week, assistant editor Sonja L. Cohen rounds up links to news stories about UU congregations and people from newspapers and other media all over the world. It would be impossible to mention in the pages of the quarterly UU World magazine all the coverage that UU congregations are generating — but with so many news organizations publishing on the Web now, we can easily track that coverage on our website.

We're pleased to introduce a second weekly blog, The Interdependent Web, which monitors the growing world of blogs and other websites that discuss Unitarian Universalism. Shelby Meyerhoff, a graduate of Harvard Divinity School and an active lay leader at the First Parish in Cambridge, Massachusetts, will be your guide each week. She'll offer highlights to the most interesting blog posts, YouTube videos, and websites related to UU life. She is also now writing UU World's quarterly "On the Web" column; her debut column appears in the Spring 2008 issue.

The magazine's weekly email newsletter will also include a link to new entries; sign up for your Monday morning dose of uuworld.org!

P.S. You can also keep up with UU blogs using one of several blog aggregators that collect links to new blog posts almost immediately. UUpdates.net is the most comprehensive; DiscoverUU.com and Kinja.com's UU Blogs Digest are more selective. Philocrites' Guide to Unitarian Universalist Blogs (by yours truly) provides brief introductions to a selective list of UU blogs.