Sinkford on the radio, youth in New Orleans 'ghost town' and more
President Sinkford on Air America
This Sunday, the Air America Radio show "State of Belief" will feature an interview with UUA President William G. Sinkford about the Federal Marriage Amendment, which is scheduled to go to the Senate next week for debate and a vote. Sinkford has spoken out against the amendment, saying, “This is not an arbitrary or theoretical discussion. This is about real human beings." (Interfaith Alliance Foundation - 6.1.06)
Settlement reached in church shooting lawsuit
The town of Brattleboro, Vt., has tentatively settled a lawsuit by the family of Robert Woodward, who was fatally shot by police in 2001 after he disrupted a service at the All Souls Church. Woodward's family sued the town saying police used excessive force when they shot him seven times. (Boston Globe - 5.31.06)
We covered the original story in UU World back in 2001 and 2002 but those stories aren't in our online archives yet. I'll see if I can get them on here for you all soon.
Honoring soldiers and civilians
Hundreds gathered in Rochester, N.Y., for a somber Memorial Day service that remembered the soldiers and civilians who have died during war. "Today we're looking directly at pain, death, and loss," said the Rev. Scott Tayler, co-minister of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester. "We're trying to tell and honor the whole truth, not just part of the story of war." (Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester, NY 5.30.06)
New Yorkers for marriage equality
Marriage equality proponents across New York showed their support as the Court of Appeals prepared to hear arguments on behalf of 45 same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses. More than 200 people gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Buffalo for a program and vigil, one of six similar events held Tuesday at houses of worship across the state. The Rev. Joel Miller of the Buffalo church spoke out against religious groups that feel they have a "special right to use the power of government to support only the marriages they approve of." (The Buffalo News - Buffalo, NY 5.31.06)
Protesters flock to West Point graduation
As President Bush addressed new graduates at West Point military academy on Saturday, about 250 protesters demonstrated just outside the grounds with signs and mock coffins covered with flags. One of those there to protest the war in Iraq was Jim Bridges, minister of the UU Congregation of Rock Tavern, N.Y., who said: "Hey, this is not our war. Although Saddam was not a great leader in any way, shape or form, I think the country is a lot worse off." (Newsday - 5.27.06)
Giving a 'ghost town' new life
A group of Massachusetts youth from the Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley Hills spent their spring break doing post-Katrina relief work in the Gulf Coast. Eighth-grader Rhys Heyden was surprised by the chaos: "I expected a more organized city, but it was kind of like a ghost town." Members of the congregation, which has raised more than $33,000 for the hurricane victims, have also visited Louisiana to assist with clean-up efforts. (Wellesley Townsman - Wellesley, MA 5.25.06)
This Sunday, the Air America Radio show "State of Belief" will feature an interview with UUA President William G. Sinkford about the Federal Marriage Amendment, which is scheduled to go to the Senate next week for debate and a vote. Sinkford has spoken out against the amendment, saying, “This is not an arbitrary or theoretical discussion. This is about real human beings." (Interfaith Alliance Foundation - 6.1.06)
Settlement reached in church shooting lawsuit
The town of Brattleboro, Vt., has tentatively settled a lawsuit by the family of Robert Woodward, who was fatally shot by police in 2001 after he disrupted a service at the All Souls Church. Woodward's family sued the town saying police used excessive force when they shot him seven times. (Boston Globe - 5.31.06)
We covered the original story in UU World back in 2001 and 2002 but those stories aren't in our online archives yet. I'll see if I can get them on here for you all soon.
Honoring soldiers and civilians
Hundreds gathered in Rochester, N.Y., for a somber Memorial Day service that remembered the soldiers and civilians who have died during war. "Today we're looking directly at pain, death, and loss," said the Rev. Scott Tayler, co-minister of the First Unitarian Church of Rochester. "We're trying to tell and honor the whole truth, not just part of the story of war." (Democrat and Chronicle - Rochester, NY 5.30.06)
New Yorkers for marriage equality
Marriage equality proponents across New York showed their support as the Court of Appeals prepared to hear arguments on behalf of 45 same-sex couples who were denied marriage licenses. More than 200 people gathered at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Buffalo for a program and vigil, one of six similar events held Tuesday at houses of worship across the state. The Rev. Joel Miller of the Buffalo church spoke out against religious groups that feel they have a "special right to use the power of government to support only the marriages they approve of." (The Buffalo News - Buffalo, NY 5.31.06)
Protesters flock to West Point graduation
As President Bush addressed new graduates at West Point military academy on Saturday, about 250 protesters demonstrated just outside the grounds with signs and mock coffins covered with flags. One of those there to protest the war in Iraq was Jim Bridges, minister of the UU Congregation of Rock Tavern, N.Y., who said: "Hey, this is not our war. Although Saddam was not a great leader in any way, shape or form, I think the country is a lot worse off." (Newsday - 5.27.06)
Giving a 'ghost town' new life
A group of Massachusetts youth from the Unitarian Universalist Society of Wellesley Hills spent their spring break doing post-Katrina relief work in the Gulf Coast. Eighth-grader Rhys Heyden was surprised by the chaos: "I expected a more organized city, but it was kind of like a ghost town." Members of the congregation, which has raised more than $33,000 for the hurricane victims, have also visited Louisiana to assist with clean-up efforts. (Wellesley Townsman - Wellesley, MA 5.25.06)
posted by Sonja L. Cohen at
6:04 PM
