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Nearly 300 people gathered for a vigil hosted by the Harvard Unitarian Universalist Church in Harvard, Massachusetts to show solidarity after recent acts of bigotry, bullying, and graffiti at the Bromfield School and Bromfield rock. The Rev. J. Mark Worth, interim minister at the UU congregation, and Rabbi Lewis Mintz of Congregation Beth Elohim of Acton shared their own words and read those of clergy from other denominations, speaking out against hate and discrimination. Students from the Bromfield School and members of the UU church also shared poetry and reflections on fighting prejudice. The crowd then lit candles from one another and sang. The event was organized by Daniel Payne, director of faith foundation at the Harvard congregation, who said “let the repainting of the rock and this vigil be the beginning, not the end.” (The Harvard Press - 12.8.16)
UUs join in prayer at Standing Rock amid victory, acknowledge work to be done
As the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers announced the halting of the Dakota Access Pipeline in North Dakota, hundreds of clergy and activists gathered at Standing Rock for an Interfaith Day of Prayer, answering the call from Chief Arvol Looking Horse. While those at Standing Rock celebrated the victory, they also noted that the battle isn’t over, and that they will continue listening to Native activists about what to do next. “In prayer and nonviolence, all things become possible because that’s where we imagine another way,” said the Rev. Karen Van Fossan, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship & Church of Bismarck-Mandan in Bismarck, North Dakota. “And that imagining of another way is the cultural transformation that’s happening [at Standing Rock].” Van Fossan and her congregation have been supporting the Standing Rock fight for several months, gathering and delivering supplies to the camps. (The Huffington Post - 12.6.16)
More coverage:
“Solidarity with Standing Rock: Clergy, residents show support for DAPL protesters” ( Wicked Local North of Boston -12.5.16)
“5 Things You Need to Know After Victory for DAPL Resistance” ( TeleSUR English -12.5.16)
UU Fellowship erects county’s first peace pole
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Harford County (UUFHC) in Churchville, Maryland recently planted a Peace Pole near their church, believed to be the first of its kind in the area. “Peace is not a passive way of being, it is an active, mindful engagement with the blessings of life,” the Rev. Lisa Ward, former UUFHC minister, said. The tradition of Peace Poles began as an initiative inspired by Masahisa Goi in Japan after World War II. Since then, more than 200,000 Peace Poles have been erected in more than 190 countries. The funds for this one came from retired school teacher Leigh Brown Faunce, according to the congregation. (The Baltimore Sun - 12.6.16)