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Local political leaders joined with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, to support National Gun Violence Awareness Day and the Wear Orange Campaign. After meeting with the church’s gun violence prevention task force, area mayor Jim Maley declared the borough’s support for the Wear Orange Campaign, intended to highlight common sense solutions that save lives. ( Courier-Post– 6.1.16)
The Rev. Kristen L. Harper of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Barnstable, Massachusetts, gave the benediction to kick off the National Gun Violence Awareness Day rally in nearby Hyannis. Participants dressed in orange and held signs advocating an end to gun violence. ( Cape CodTimes – 6.2.16)
Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church in Massachusetts held an evening vigil as part of the town’s commemoration of Gun Violence Awareness Day earlier this week. Local leaders raised a bright orange flag outside City Hall to show their support for the national effort, now in its second year. ( Gloucester Times– 6.2.16)
Learn more about National Gun Violence Prevention Day and the #WearOrange campaign.
Former UU minister, atheists take on the UUA
In response to a proposed business resolution submitted for a vote at the Unitarian Universalist Association’s upcoming General Assembly to divest from stock in five corporations that profit from the Israeli occupation of Palestine, former UU minister Jonathan Dobrer accused the UUA of anti-Semitism. Dobrer argues that a lack of outrage at human rights abuses in other Middle Eastern countries by Americans and the UUA proves that Israel is being unfairly singled out for abuse. ( Friendly Fire– 5.31.16)
UU World reported on the proposed business resolution earlier this year.
Herb Silverman, president of the Secular Coalition for America and a board member of the American Humanist Association, expresses his disappointment with the UUA’s recent agreement to reaffiliate with the Boy Scouts of America, which now welcomes gay participants but continues to ban atheists. Silverman also explains why he and other attendees at the AHA’s annual conference in Chicago last month were troubled by remarks made there by UUA President Peter Morales. ( Huffington Post- 5.31.16)
UU World previously reported on the UUHA's disappointment and the UUA's renewed relationship with the BSA.
Highlights of UU congregational life
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Beaufort, South Carolina, is in the spotlight for receiving designation as a Welcoming Congregation. In order to be designated as such by the UUA, the 15-year-old congregation undertook a multiyear process of education and exploration of LGBTQ issues and community outreach. ( The Beaufort Gazette– 6.2.16)
Many members and professional religious leaders at Unity Church-Unitarian in St. Paul, Minnesota, have participated in the Marital First Responders training, a volunteer program to help those struggling in their marriages. The Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs of Unity Church says that the program fills a gap in resources for couples having troubles but not yet considering divorce. ( Star Tribune– 5.30.16)
A lay leader at Juneau Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Alaska shares their congregation’s recent experience with a new spiritual practice of exchanging prayers among church members for a week. Since members hold many beliefs and differing feelings about prayer, Pat McLear said the experience was uniquely successful in helping people create connections through a shared experience of being needy and being of assistance. ( Juneau Empire– 5.29.16)