Regret, white lies, and more
UUs must have made a New Year's resolution to get more media coverage because they ushered in 2006 with a heavy helping of it. Topics ranged from New Year's resolutions and ceremonies to philanthropy, polyamory, and history.
New Year's the UU way
On New Year's Day, the Rev. Michael Schuler of the First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisconsin, delivered his sermon to a standing-room-only crowd. The theme was "Regret Reconsidered" and in it he explained how coming to terms with disabling emotions like guilt, regret, and resentment can lead to healing and restoration. (The Capital Times - Madison, WI 1.2.06)
The First Unitarian Church of Dallas was one of several churches to welcome 2006 with a burning bowl ceremony, where participants write down negative thoughts or regrets and burn them as a way to let them go. "There seems to be a deep need we have for starting over and having a fresh vision," said the Rev. Laurel Hallman, senior minister. The church has conducted such ceremonies for 18 years. (Dallas Morning News - Dallas, TX 12.30.05 registration required)
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Mankato, Minnesota, was the site of a different kind of New Year celebration--a near-silent time for reflection and positive resolutions led by Bhante Sathi, a Buddhist Monk from Sri Lanka. Unlike the worry caused by typical resolutions, he said the Buddhist experience calls for more reflection. “It’s time to think about the new year in a very positive way,” he said. (Mankato Free Press - Mankato, MN 1.2.06)
With the new year come the inevitable resolutions, which are often no more than little white lies we tell ourselves about what we'll do differently in the coming year. But is it ever ethical to tell lies? Writers Lynn Arave and James Thalman spoke to a variety of spiritual leaders to get their take on the matter, including the Rev. Tom Goldsmith of the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, who views white lies as a kind of practical bending of the truth to spare feelings. (Deseret Morning News - 12.31.05)
Blogger and UU seminarian John Cullinan says that since most resolutions are aimed inwards at self-improvement rather than outwards, nearly half will be broken within the first two months. With that in mind, he decides to make resolutions he’d be better off breaking. "I resolve to drink nothing but Coca-Cola for the next year, gain thirty pounds and a case of lockjaw." (Returning... - 01.03.06)
Conservative fears 'poly' marriages
Prompted by news of a polyamorous Dutch trio who successfully obtained a "private cohabitation contract" in September, conservative writer Stanley Kurtz argues in a Weekly Standard cover article that "polyamory" is at the bottom of a slippery slope caused by same-sex civil marriage. Considerable space is devoted to the UUA's role in the fight for marriage equality, which Kurtz contends is directly linked to an eventual push for legalized polyamorous unions. (Weekly Standard - 12.26.05)
New Republic writer Rob Anderson responds to Kurtz's essay, arguing that Kurtz only proves the growing weakness of the conservative case against same-sex marriage. Writes Anderson: "Kurtz's argument is predicated on the fact that there is a similar group of people waiting in the wings to enter into polyamorous relationships. Yet for all his talk of a 'bisexual/polyamory movement,' Kurtz does not provide much convincing evidence that one actually exists." (The New Republic Online - 12.23.05 registration required)
Frank Schulman's life of faith and philanthropy
Before his death from brain cancer on January 4, the Rev. Dr. Frank Schulman was profiled in his local paper for his lifelong philanthropy. He and his wife Alice, devoted UUs, had recently announced a gift of $4.5 million from their estate to the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. "Being a Unitarian has literally changed our lives for the better,” the Rev. Schulman said, “and what better way to say thank you than giving back what was given to you?" (UUA.org 1.6.05; The Villager - Houston, TX 12.22.05)
See also: "'Religion is the answer': Schulman invests in Unitarian Universalism's future" (uuworld.org - 11.1.05)
Church holds vigil for murdered family
Friends and mourners gathered at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Richmond, Virginia, for a candlelight vigil honoring the memory of Bryan and Kathryn Harvey and their two daughters, who were brutally murdered together in their home on New Year's Day. Though they were not members of the church, the Harveys and church members had overlapping circles of friends. The vigil was an opportunity for the church to help community members deal with their grief together. (Times-Dispatch - Richmond, VA 1.4.06)
A Universalist pioneer
Sid Gally gives a brief look back at the life and work of Florence Kollock, a 19th-century Universalist minister in California. (Pasadena Star-News - Pasadena, CA 12.26.05)
New Year's the UU way
On New Year's Day, the Rev. Michael Schuler of the First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisconsin, delivered his sermon to a standing-room-only crowd. The theme was "Regret Reconsidered" and in it he explained how coming to terms with disabling emotions like guilt, regret, and resentment can lead to healing and restoration. (The Capital Times - Madison, WI 1.2.06)
The First Unitarian Church of Dallas was one of several churches to welcome 2006 with a burning bowl ceremony, where participants write down negative thoughts or regrets and burn them as a way to let them go. "There seems to be a deep need we have for starting over and having a fresh vision," said the Rev. Laurel Hallman, senior minister. The church has conducted such ceremonies for 18 years. (Dallas Morning News - Dallas, TX 12.30.05 registration required)
The Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Mankato, Minnesota, was the site of a different kind of New Year celebration--a near-silent time for reflection and positive resolutions led by Bhante Sathi, a Buddhist Monk from Sri Lanka. Unlike the worry caused by typical resolutions, he said the Buddhist experience calls for more reflection. “It’s time to think about the new year in a very positive way,” he said. (Mankato Free Press - Mankato, MN 1.2.06)
With the new year come the inevitable resolutions, which are often no more than little white lies we tell ourselves about what we'll do differently in the coming year. But is it ever ethical to tell lies? Writers Lynn Arave and James Thalman spoke to a variety of spiritual leaders to get their take on the matter, including the Rev. Tom Goldsmith of the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City, who views white lies as a kind of practical bending of the truth to spare feelings. (Deseret Morning News - 12.31.05)
Blogger and UU seminarian John Cullinan says that since most resolutions are aimed inwards at self-improvement rather than outwards, nearly half will be broken within the first two months. With that in mind, he decides to make resolutions he’d be better off breaking. "I resolve to drink nothing but Coca-Cola for the next year, gain thirty pounds and a case of lockjaw." (Returning... - 01.03.06)
Conservative fears 'poly' marriages
Prompted by news of a polyamorous Dutch trio who successfully obtained a "private cohabitation contract" in September, conservative writer Stanley Kurtz argues in a Weekly Standard cover article that "polyamory" is at the bottom of a slippery slope caused by same-sex civil marriage. Considerable space is devoted to the UUA's role in the fight for marriage equality, which Kurtz contends is directly linked to an eventual push for legalized polyamorous unions. (Weekly Standard - 12.26.05)
New Republic writer Rob Anderson responds to Kurtz's essay, arguing that Kurtz only proves the growing weakness of the conservative case against same-sex marriage. Writes Anderson: "Kurtz's argument is predicated on the fact that there is a similar group of people waiting in the wings to enter into polyamorous relationships. Yet for all his talk of a 'bisexual/polyamory movement,' Kurtz does not provide much convincing evidence that one actually exists." (The New Republic Online - 12.23.05 registration required)
Frank Schulman's life of faith and philanthropy
Before his death from brain cancer on January 4, the Rev. Dr. Frank Schulman was profiled in his local paper for his lifelong philanthropy. He and his wife Alice, devoted UUs, had recently announced a gift of $4.5 million from their estate to the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. "Being a Unitarian has literally changed our lives for the better,” the Rev. Schulman said, “and what better way to say thank you than giving back what was given to you?" (UUA.org 1.6.05; The Villager - Houston, TX 12.22.05)
See also: "'Religion is the answer': Schulman invests in Unitarian Universalism's future" (uuworld.org - 11.1.05)
Church holds vigil for murdered family
Friends and mourners gathered at First Unitarian Universalist Church in Richmond, Virginia, for a candlelight vigil honoring the memory of Bryan and Kathryn Harvey and their two daughters, who were brutally murdered together in their home on New Year's Day. Though they were not members of the church, the Harveys and church members had overlapping circles of friends. The vigil was an opportunity for the church to help community members deal with their grief together. (Times-Dispatch - Richmond, VA 1.4.06)
A Universalist pioneer
Sid Gally gives a brief look back at the life and work of Florence Kollock, a 19th-century Universalist minister in California. (Pasadena Star-News - Pasadena, CA 12.26.05)
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