Pluto's planetary demotion, a veteran's inspiring songs, and more
Many Very Educated Minds Just Snubbed Unitarian's Ninth Planet
Last week was disappointing for fans of Pluto, which was officially demoted to a dwarf planet, leaving our solar system with only eight official planets. The decision was perhaps more disappointing for UUs who knew that Clyde Tombaugh, the man who discovered Pluto in 1930, was a Unitarian. Tombaugh is no longer around to hear the news, but his widow, Patricia, said he would have understood the decision. Which is more than can be said for many bloggers. The Pluto demotion has sparked debate and outrage, both feigned and sincere, across the Internet, including the comment pointed out by UUA Public Information Assistant Erika Nonken on MSNBC's cosmiclog, which read: "Pluto, which people question whether it is a planet, was discovered by a Unitarian, which people question whether it is a religion." (Newsweek 9.4.06)
Meanwhile, online entrepreneurs leaped on the phenomenon and within 24 hours of the announcement, 200 Pluto-related designs had shown up on Internet company Cafe Press, which prints T-shirts and assorted gear, with slogans like "Pluto is a Planet," "Stop Planetary Discrimination," and "Pluto, we hardly knew ye ... 1930-2006." (AP story on e-commerce news - 8.28.06)
See also: "He found a planet and founded a church" (UU World - Fall 2005)
A veteran seeks to inspire with songs
Two songs by Pat Scanlon, a Vietnam veteran and UU, are drawing national attention. The songs, "I've Got a Feeling I've Been Here Before" and "Where Is the Rage?" were written to protest the war in Iraq and have earned the support of both Pete Seeger and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Scanlon hopes they may inspire the kind of activism and passion in the American public that helped end the Vietnam War. (Boston Globe - 8.27.06)
Cell phone theology
The Rev. Dr. Brent A. Smith, minister of All Souls Community Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., observes that Paul Tillich's theology of culture can be seen in our current obsession with cell phones: "The present lesson in cell phone theology affirms this ambivalent feature of humanity: For better and sometimes for worse, the destiny and meaning of an individual's life are bound up with the destiny and meaning of a community and peoples of faith." (The Martin Marty Center, University of Chicago - 8.24.06)
The dilemma of Wright's legacy
Last week Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Whitney Gould reported on the controversy surrounding the expansion of two UU churches designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Since the article ran, Gould has received many emails from people saying the churches should not alter the buildings, and some who said the churches have the right to do whatever they want. For her part, Gould says: "Count me among those hoping for a middle ground. While building in the shadow of Wright is no job for amateurs, I think that, in the right hands, it can be done sympathetically." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee, WI 8.27.06)
A love that began with a $120 kiss
The story of how teacher and former ministry student Michael Hayashida's life was changed by his Unitarian church sounds like the plot of a romantic Hollywood film. Inspired by his involvement at church, Hayashida decided to attend seminary, where he met and wooed his future wife, Jodi, now minister of the First Universalist Church in Auburn. The couple relates several touching stories of their courtship including their first kiss, which resulted in a $120 parking ticket. (SunJournal.com - Lewiston, ME 8.28.06)
Alumni profile
The MIT alumni magazine profiles John Kellett, a Texas UU and activist who devotes much of his post-retirement time to bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender issues. (7.11.06)
Last week was disappointing for fans of Pluto, which was officially demoted to a dwarf planet, leaving our solar system with only eight official planets. The decision was perhaps more disappointing for UUs who knew that Clyde Tombaugh, the man who discovered Pluto in 1930, was a Unitarian. Tombaugh is no longer around to hear the news, but his widow, Patricia, said he would have understood the decision. Which is more than can be said for many bloggers. The Pluto demotion has sparked debate and outrage, both feigned and sincere, across the Internet, including the comment pointed out by UUA Public Information Assistant Erika Nonken on MSNBC's cosmiclog, which read: "Pluto, which people question whether it is a planet, was discovered by a Unitarian, which people question whether it is a religion." (Newsweek 9.4.06)
Meanwhile, online entrepreneurs leaped on the phenomenon and within 24 hours of the announcement, 200 Pluto-related designs had shown up on Internet company Cafe Press, which prints T-shirts and assorted gear, with slogans like "Pluto is a Planet," "Stop Planetary Discrimination," and "Pluto, we hardly knew ye ... 1930-2006." (AP story on e-commerce news - 8.28.06)
See also: "He found a planet and founded a church" (UU World - Fall 2005)
A veteran seeks to inspire with songs
Two songs by Pat Scanlon, a Vietnam veteran and UU, are drawing national attention. The songs, "I've Got a Feeling I've Been Here Before" and "Where Is the Rage?" were written to protest the war in Iraq and have earned the support of both Pete Seeger and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Scanlon hopes they may inspire the kind of activism and passion in the American public that helped end the Vietnam War. (Boston Globe - 8.27.06)
Cell phone theology
The Rev. Dr. Brent A. Smith, minister of All Souls Community Church in Grand Rapids, Mich., observes that Paul Tillich's theology of culture can be seen in our current obsession with cell phones: "The present lesson in cell phone theology affirms this ambivalent feature of humanity: For better and sometimes for worse, the destiny and meaning of an individual's life are bound up with the destiny and meaning of a community and peoples of faith." (The Martin Marty Center, University of Chicago - 8.24.06)
The dilemma of Wright's legacy
Last week Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reporter Whitney Gould reported on the controversy surrounding the expansion of two UU churches designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Since the article ran, Gould has received many emails from people saying the churches should not alter the buildings, and some who said the churches have the right to do whatever they want. For her part, Gould says: "Count me among those hoping for a middle ground. While building in the shadow of Wright is no job for amateurs, I think that, in the right hands, it can be done sympathetically." (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee, WI 8.27.06)
A love that began with a $120 kiss
The story of how teacher and former ministry student Michael Hayashida's life was changed by his Unitarian church sounds like the plot of a romantic Hollywood film. Inspired by his involvement at church, Hayashida decided to attend seminary, where he met and wooed his future wife, Jodi, now minister of the First Universalist Church in Auburn. The couple relates several touching stories of their courtship including their first kiss, which resulted in a $120 parking ticket. (SunJournal.com - Lewiston, ME 8.28.06)
Alumni profile
The MIT alumni magazine profiles John Kellett, a Texas UU and activist who devotes much of his post-retirement time to bisexual, gay, lesbian, and transgender issues. (7.11.06)
posted by Sonja L. Cohen at
3:39 PM
