Politics, Pluto, and more
Pluto, back by popular demand?
The controversy over Pluto's planetary demotion isn't over yet. A group of astronomers is arguing that the new definition of a planet is a mistake and is planning a 2007 conference of astronomers to come up with another new definition of "planet" which would mean Pluto, discovered by Unitarian Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, would almost certainly regain its status. (Newsweek - 11.6.06)
Political signs stolen, destroyed
In the days leading up to the election, political signs for and against an election ballot measure and political candidates were stolen or vandalized throughout the city of Manassas and Prince William County, Va. Among those whose property was stolen, the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist church lost an expensive "Civil Marriage Is a Civil Right" banner and two yard signs opposing a marriage amendment. (Centreville Times - Centreville, VA 11.1.06)
Church vs. congregation—what's in a name?
A group at the historic Community Church of New York is considering a proposal to change the church's name from the Community Church of New York to the Community Congregation of New York. Member Howard Ostwind explained the possible name change to a New York Sun reporter: "Congregation has some spiritual overtones, but it can also be secular, and it doesn't specify only one religion, as many people feel church does. We feel congregation is a better reflection of who and what we are now: a diverse, spiritual, open, community." (New York Sun - 11.8.06)
UUs defamed
Conservative morning show host Scott Hennen wrote a blog post saying candidate Cheryl Bergian is unfit to serve on the Public Service Commission because of her "leadership in the no-rules, anything goes Unitarian church.” (Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck - Bismarck, ND)
Also in the news:
During an October 25 same-sex marriage rally at the Unitarian Church of Montclair, N.J., Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality (a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex advocacy group), announced that his organization was moving its headquarters to that UU church. (Montclair Times - Montclair, NJ 11.1.06)
The Rev. Rick Davis of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Ore., admires the Old World way of life in Transylvania. (Statesman Journal - Salem, OR 11.4.06)
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, N.J., celebrates its 50th anniversary. (Red Bank Hub - NJ 11.2.06)
The controversy over Pluto's planetary demotion isn't over yet. A group of astronomers is arguing that the new definition of a planet is a mistake and is planning a 2007 conference of astronomers to come up with another new definition of "planet" which would mean Pluto, discovered by Unitarian Clyde Tombaugh in 1930, would almost certainly regain its status. (Newsweek - 11.6.06)
Political signs stolen, destroyed
In the days leading up to the election, political signs for and against an election ballot measure and political candidates were stolen or vandalized throughout the city of Manassas and Prince William County, Va. Among those whose property was stolen, the Bull Run Unitarian Universalist church lost an expensive "Civil Marriage Is a Civil Right" banner and two yard signs opposing a marriage amendment. (Centreville Times - Centreville, VA 11.1.06)
Church vs. congregation—what's in a name?
A group at the historic Community Church of New York is considering a proposal to change the church's name from the Community Church of New York to the Community Congregation of New York. Member Howard Ostwind explained the possible name change to a New York Sun reporter: "Congregation has some spiritual overtones, but it can also be secular, and it doesn't specify only one religion, as many people feel church does. We feel congregation is a better reflection of who and what we are now: a diverse, spiritual, open, community." (New York Sun - 11.8.06)
UUs defamed
Conservative morning show host Scott Hennen wrote a blog post saying candidate Cheryl Bergian is unfit to serve on the Public Service Commission because of her "leadership in the no-rules, anything goes Unitarian church.” (Reiten Television KXMB Bismarck - Bismarck, ND)
Also in the news:
During an October 25 same-sex marriage rally at the Unitarian Church of Montclair, N.J., Steven Goldstein, chair of Garden State Equality (a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex advocacy group), announced that his organization was moving its headquarters to that UU church. (Montclair Times - Montclair, NJ 11.1.06)
The Rev. Rick Davis of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Salem, Ore., admires the Old World way of life in Transylvania. (Statesman Journal - Salem, OR 11.4.06)
The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Monmouth County, N.J., celebrates its 50th anniversary. (Red Bank Hub - NJ 11.2.06)
posted by Sonja L. Cohen at
4:11 PM
