Vandals attack, gay marriage gains, and chess!
Hate crimes target churches
Vandals stole a sign from the First Congregational Parish of Kingston, Massachusetts, which advertised services for a Brazilian Assembly of God congregation that meets there on Sunday evenings. When returned, the sign had more than 100 bullet holes, was defaced with graffiti reading ''Viva deportation," and had an American flag covering the original Brazilian flag, according to the Rev. Bonnie Devlin, minister for the UU congregation. (Boston Globe - Boston, MA 1.24.06 registration required)
And Canada's Edmonton Journal reported that police are investigating a vandalism at the Unitarian Church of Edmonton, Alberta, where a swastika and the words "white power" were spray-painted on the church door. A synagogue was similarly vandalized on Christmas Eve. Police Chief Mike Boyd met with leaders from the Unitarian, United, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh faiths to reassure them that he is taking the issue seriously and making hate crimes one of his top priorities. (Edmonton Journal - Edmonton, AB, Canada 1.25.06)
Marriage equality developments
Both the Washington Post and the Boston Globe ran stories about the Baltimore judge who ruled that Maryland's law banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory and "cannot withstand constitutional challenge." The ruling was cause for celebration for the eleven plaintiffs, but same-sex couples shouldn't rush to city hall for civil ceremonies just yet. Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock immediately stayed her decision to allow Maryland officials time to appeal, which they are doing. (Washington Post - 1.21.06, Boston Globe - Boston, MA 1.24.06 registration required)
See also: "Maryland UUs battle for marriage equality" (uuworld.org - 9.6.05)
And just days after the Maryland decision, several publications featured stories about a ceremony at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia, in which sixty same-sex and heterosexual couples reaffirmed their vows of commitment. The ceremony coincides with the same-sex marriage debate exploding in both Virginia and Maryland, and was described as being characterized by an air of celebration and defiance.
"Church Ceremony Celebrates Gay Pairs" (Washington Post - 1.23.06)
"Same-sex couples hold defiant commitment ceremony in Virginia" (The Advocate - Los Angeles, CA 1.25.06)
"Church Holds Ceremony for Same-Sex Couples" (Arlington Connection - Arlington, VA 1.25.06)
The 'check' is in the mail
A recent fundraising event at the UU Church in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, offered challengers a chance to play resident chess master Doug Grant for $3 a game. The 63-year-old Grant played ten games simultaneously, winning nine and drawing one. Although the event raised a modest amount of money, it also raised awareness of the church through media coverage in the local paper. The Rev. Brendon Hadash hopes to make the chess tournament an annual event for the church, just so long as Grant is game. (Caledonian Record - St. Johnsbury, VT 1.23.06)
Vandals stole a sign from the First Congregational Parish of Kingston, Massachusetts, which advertised services for a Brazilian Assembly of God congregation that meets there on Sunday evenings. When returned, the sign had more than 100 bullet holes, was defaced with graffiti reading ''Viva deportation," and had an American flag covering the original Brazilian flag, according to the Rev. Bonnie Devlin, minister for the UU congregation. (Boston Globe - Boston, MA 1.24.06 registration required)
And Canada's Edmonton Journal reported that police are investigating a vandalism at the Unitarian Church of Edmonton, Alberta, where a swastika and the words "white power" were spray-painted on the church door. A synagogue was similarly vandalized on Christmas Eve. Police Chief Mike Boyd met with leaders from the Unitarian, United, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh faiths to reassure them that he is taking the issue seriously and making hate crimes one of his top priorities. (Edmonton Journal - Edmonton, AB, Canada 1.25.06)
Marriage equality developments
Both the Washington Post and the Boston Globe ran stories about the Baltimore judge who ruled that Maryland's law banning same-sex marriage is discriminatory and "cannot withstand constitutional challenge." The ruling was cause for celebration for the eleven plaintiffs, but same-sex couples shouldn't rush to city hall for civil ceremonies just yet. Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock immediately stayed her decision to allow Maryland officials time to appeal, which they are doing. (Washington Post - 1.21.06, Boston Globe - Boston, MA 1.24.06 registration required)
See also: "Maryland UUs battle for marriage equality" (uuworld.org - 9.6.05)
And just days after the Maryland decision, several publications featured stories about a ceremony at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, Virginia, in which sixty same-sex and heterosexual couples reaffirmed their vows of commitment. The ceremony coincides with the same-sex marriage debate exploding in both Virginia and Maryland, and was described as being characterized by an air of celebration and defiance.
"Church Ceremony Celebrates Gay Pairs" (Washington Post - 1.23.06)
"Same-sex couples hold defiant commitment ceremony in Virginia" (The Advocate - Los Angeles, CA 1.25.06)
"Church Holds Ceremony for Same-Sex Couples" (Arlington Connection - Arlington, VA 1.25.06)
The 'check' is in the mail
A recent fundraising event at the UU Church in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, offered challengers a chance to play resident chess master Doug Grant for $3 a game. The 63-year-old Grant played ten games simultaneously, winning nine and drawing one. Although the event raised a modest amount of money, it also raised awareness of the church through media coverage in the local paper. The Rev. Brendon Hadash hopes to make the chess tournament an annual event for the church, just so long as Grant is game. (Caledonian Record - St. Johnsbury, VT 1.23.06)
posted by Sonja L. Cohen at
4:33 PM
