Clergy sexual misconduct, preservation dollars, and Susan Boyle

Questions for UUA presidential candidates

In March, the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville sent a letter to both UUA presidential candidates asking how they would provide leadership in responding to clergy sexual abuse. The congregation has published its letter and the responses it received from the Rev. Peter Morales and the Rev. Dr. Laurel Hallman on its blog ("FUUN Blog," April 18). The church's letter links to a UUA report on clergy sexual misconduct published in 2001.

Joel Monka wants to know why the Friday, April 17, telephone forum with the presidential candidates was scheduled during the workday. "Do you assume that everyone interested in, let alone voting in this election is retired, or has an employer willing to let them place an hour-long long distance phone call on company time?" ("CUUMBAYA," April 15).

Vote to send preservation dollars to UU sites

Two Unitarian Universalist churches in Massachusetts are among 25 nominees for $1 million in preservation grants from the American Express Partners in Preservation program: the "Old Ship Meeting House" of the First Parish in Hingham (the only early Puritan meeting house still standing and the oldest wooden religious structure in use in the United States) and the United First Parish Church in Quincy (the "Church of the Presidents" where U.S. presidents John Adams and John Quincy Adams are entombed). Vote for your favorites once daily through May 17.

Other UU-related sites include the Perkins School for the Blind (see UU World, Jan./Feb. 2005), Mount Auburn Cemetery (see UU World, Spring 2007), and Louisa May Alcott's Orchard House (see UU World, Summer 2007).

Hands off firearms, goddess beads, Susan Boyle, and more

Cindy, a director of religious education in Massachusetts, writes a must-read post on being a religious professional in difficult economic times ("Happy Cindy Changes the World," April 15).

Seminarian and military chaplain-in-training David Pyle writes, "I made the commitment and I keep the commitment to not own, handle, or touch firearms because I am deeply afraid of what I might do with them. My commitment is not about making a stand for peace, but about trying to keep my soul" ("Celestial Lands," April 19).

When seminarian Jeff Liebman ended up in the emergency room last week, he composed an atheist's prayer ("uujeff's muse kennel and pizzatorium," April 16). Later in the week, he also offered an atheist's definition of "sacrament" (April 20).

"One of the reasons I became a Sunday School teacher (besides the money, of course) was it makes me a better Unitarian," writes Bob Francis. How? "[I]t actually forces me to learn more about my religion and religion in general." He describes preparing to teach a lesson on atonement and reconciliation ("The Bob Files," April 20).

The Rev. Andrew James Brown describes how he was conscripted into carrying a cross at the conclusion of an ecumenical Good Friday service in Cambridge, England ("CAUTE," April 19).

Strange Attractor wants to make some goddess-themed prayer beads, and wonders if others use prayer beads ("Strange Attractor," April 19).

The Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt writes a letter to Susan Boyle, whose unexpectedly compelling performance on a British talent show became an international sensation last week: "I have been listening to you all day long; I have played that clip for everyone I know, and you have been in my prayers today, in gratitude that you have never given up the dream of standing in the light" ("Rev Rose," April 16).

The Rev. James Ford is trying to remind himself that he is wrong to believe that people who oppose gay marriage and other BGLT rights are "filled with hate" ("Monkey Mind," April 16).

Sharon Wells wants to begin observing a more intentional sabbath ("The View from Raindrop Ridge," April 18).

Kari Kopnick writes about the sense of perspective that comes with age:

This is one of those weeks that, in my 20s, I would have assumed was the absolute end of the world. Armageddon, and the end of days for sure. In my 30s, I would have panicked and believed heart and soul that things could just never be the same and that all good and sun and hope was gone from the planet. I this like being 41 thing. At 40 you can start to see the mudslides and avalanches of crazy things happening all over your life's landscape and think, "oh, there goes the mud again, guess we'll be digging out." ("Chalice Spark," April 16)

Cindy responds with a post explaining the difference between being calm and being a "non-anxious presence" ("Happy Cindy Changes the World," April 18).

Kelly KH says her 13-year-old daughter's interest in Buddhism isn't being addressed in the children's religious education program, and has asked if one of her congregation's three adult "Buddhism Soul Matters" groups might be willing to take a young teen member ("Seeking Divinity," April 18).

The Rev. Mary Wellemeyer posts the testimony she prepared to deliver about UU support for same-sex marriage for the New Hampshire Senate ("A Larger Faith," April 15).

The UUA's international resources office has begun publishing a monthly "e-devotional" called "Sharing Global Faith" (although the website is titled "Gathering Global U/U Voices"). Click here to visit the publication's website, or sign up for its email newsletter.

The Rev. Stephen Lingwood is blogging the annual General Assembly of the British Unitarians: Day One, Day Two ("Reignite," April 13, 18).