Unitarian Universalists in the Media

A frequently updated guide to stories about Unitarian Universalists from other sources around the web.

Friday, May 16, 2008

Slave-owning ancestors, gay rights, and more

by Sonja L. Cohen

Minister explores ancestors' slave trade involvement
While researching his family's history, the Rev. David Pettee, director of Ministerial Credentialing at the Unitarian Universalist Association, discovered that his ancestors had been slaveholders and traders. In an effort to come to terms with this information, Pettee has traveled to Africa, spoken to descendants of the slaves his family owned, and done a lot of reflection. Friday, May 16 he was interviewed on WBUR's On Point Radio. You can listen to the segment online. (WBUR.org - 5.16.08)

Pettee has also written several essays on his experience:

Claiming Our History, Warts and All (UUA.org - 5.10.07)

The Ties that Bind: A Deeper Exploration of My Family’s History with the Slave Trade (UUA.org - 11.20.07)

California rules in favor of marriage equality
A statement from UUA president the Rev. William Sinkford appeared in a compilation of reactions to California's recent ruling in favor of same-sex marriage. The California Supreme Court ruled on Thursday, May 15 that the state's ban on same-sex marriage was unconstitutional. (The Bay Area Reporter – CA 5.15.08)

Read President William G. Sinkford’s statement. (UUA.org - 5.15.08)

UUA pushes Verizon to adopt nondescrimination policy
The UUA, which owns 1,300 shares of Verizon common stock, has been pushing the company to add a gender identity clause to its nondiscrimination policy. (Artvoice - Buffalo, NY)

The proposal to amend Verizon's equal employment policy to prohibit discrimination based on gender identity was voted down May 1, but backers, including the UUA's treasurer and vice president of finance Tim Brennan, said they were encouraged by the support they got and plan to continue pushing the matter. (Bay Area Reporter - 5.8.08)

Also in the media:

A statue of the Rev. Thomas Starr King, the Unitarian minister credited with keeping California in the Union during the Civil War, is being replaced in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall Collection. (Washington Times - 5.15.08)

UU congregations join other New York churches to raise relief funds for Burma (Myanmar). (Newsday - Long Island, NY 5.10.08)

The UU Congregation of Danbury, Ct., is voting at its annual meeting on whether to join the New Sanctuary Movement. (Danbury News Times – Danbury, CT 5.11.08)

Prairie Circle UU Congregation in Grayslake, Ill., was recognized by the UUA as a member church. (Waukegan News Sun - Waukegan, IL 5.9.08)

In honor of its 300th anniversary, First Unitarian Church in Bedford, Mass., will offer tours of its historic church and grounds. (SouthCoastToday.com - New Bedford, MA 5.10.08)

The UU Church of Hagerstown, Md., opens its labyrinth to the public each month. (WHAG - Hagerstown, MD 5.11.08)

Children at the Cape Area Family Resource Center afterschool program will plant and care for a garden prepared by members of the UU Fellowship of Cape Girardeau and the Southeast Missouri Climate Protection Initiative. (Southeast Missourian - Cape Girardeau, MO 5.12.08)

posted by Sonja L. Cohen at 2:39 PM

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