Obama's universalism, John Adams's Zionism, and more
Is Obama a 'Universalist' or a 'Christian'?
Conservative syndicated columnist Cal Thomas thinks evangelicals and most Roman Catholics may question Barack Obama's avowal of the Christian faith before they vote because Obama's beliefs seem to include "universalism." Thomas argues that despite the Democratic candidate's impressive command of biblical language, he fits the definition of "false prophet" rather than true believer. (Tribune Media Services - Buffalo, NY - 6.16.08)
John Adams's Unitarian Zionism
In a lengthy Foreign Affairs article that traces the history of American Gentiles' attitudes toward Israel from the early 19th century to the present, Walter Russell Mead quotes President John Adams, a Unitarian, on the prospect of Jews regaining their own state: "Once restored to an independent government and no longer persecuted," Adams wrote, Jews "would soon wear away some of the asperities and peculiarities of their character and possibly in time become liberal Unitarian Christians." (Foreign Affairs - July/August 2008)
Spiritual exploration
Religion reporter Tracy Simmons attempts to understand the non-creedal nature of a "Unitarian Universalist Church," but says she has yet to visit one. She asks readers to respond to her "Matter of Faith" blog, which includes a link to Connecticut's UU congregations. (American-Republican - Waterbury, CT - 6.26.08)
Schulz cites progress on human rights
Speaking at the annual UUA General Assembly, the Rev. William F. Schulz, former president of the UUA and former executive director of Amnesty International USA, cites progress on human rights issues in America and abroad. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel - FL - 6.26.08)
Tim Berners-Lee, Internet pioneer
The British Telegraph profiles Internet pioneer and HTML author Sir Tim Berners-Lee, mentioning his Unitarian faith. (Telegraph - UK - 6.27.08)
Clock-tower steward completes Alcatraz triathlon
Jeffrey Ferris—bicycle guru, cancer survivor, community organizer, snow-shoveler, transportation activist, and clock-tower steward of the First Church in Jamaica Plain, Mass.—completed California's grueling Alcatraz triathlon in enduring, barefoot style. (Jamaica Plain Gazette - Jamaica Plain, MA - 6.27.08)
Cradle UU
UUA General Assembly delegate and journalism professor Wayne Dawkins carries Unitarian Universalism's non-creedal heritage with pride. Writing about the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, Dawkins believes tolerance is alive and well among many of America's faithful. (PoliticsInColor.com - 6.27.08)
Greener, cleaner
Fairfax County, Va., funded a $60,000 stormwater-improvement project at Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria; the congregation is the county's first "Green Sanctuary" congregation. The work at the hilltop site is expected to have a positive impact on Little Hunting Creek watershed and ultimately contribute to restoring the health of Chesapeake Bay. (Mount Vernon Gazette - McLean, VA - 6.25.08)
Flooding displaces low-income daycare center
Flooding in Rutland, Vt., displaced a low-income daycare-provider housed in the basement of the UU church. A local independent school will host the daycare center temporarily. (Rutland Herald - VT - 6.19.08, 6.27.08)
Matching funds for homeless center
The UU Fellowship of Decatur, Ill., pledged half of the proceeds from the congregation's Earthstock event to help a homeless day center make up a budget shortfall, joining other church and community groups in the effort. (Herald & Review - Decatur, IL - 6.26.08)
Steady now
The Rev. Diane Teichert arrived 10 years ago at the First Parish UU of Canton, Mass., at a difficult time for the congregation; during her tenure she steadied things within and was active in the larger community as well. She leaves to become assistant minister at the First Parish in Bedford, Mass. (Canton Citizen - MA - 6.26.08)
Sharing history
The Unitarian Universalist Meeting House in Provincetown, Mass., has joined with other local organizations to coordinate efforts at sharing the town's history. (Provincetown Banner - Provincetown, MA - 6.27.08)
The Rev. Dr. Paul Hull of First Church of Christ, Unitarian, in Lancaster, Mass., serves on the town's "Celebrate Lancaster Committee," an eight-member board that plans to work with agencies, the town, groups, and sponsors to revitalize the community. (Times & Courier - Lancaster, MA - 6.26.08)
Cultivating the garden
The garden of the UU Church of Buffalo, N.Y., has participated in a popular ornamental Garden Walk event longer than any other garden. (Buffalo News - NY - 6.27.08)
Once and future UK sanctuary
After years of closure and disuse, Todmorden Unitarian Church in Lancashire, England, has been repaired and now hosts bimonthly Unitarian worship services. (Todmorden News - Todmorden, UK - 6.26.08)
Near miss
Lightning missed the steeple but hit a utility pole in front of the Kennebunk, Me., UU church. (Sanford-Springvale Register - Biddeford, ME - 6.27.08)
Chris Walton contributed to this week's roundup.
Conservative syndicated columnist Cal Thomas thinks evangelicals and most Roman Catholics may question Barack Obama's avowal of the Christian faith before they vote because Obama's beliefs seem to include "universalism." Thomas argues that despite the Democratic candidate's impressive command of biblical language, he fits the definition of "false prophet" rather than true believer. (Tribune Media Services - Buffalo, NY - 6.16.08)
John Adams's Unitarian Zionism
In a lengthy Foreign Affairs article that traces the history of American Gentiles' attitudes toward Israel from the early 19th century to the present, Walter Russell Mead quotes President John Adams, a Unitarian, on the prospect of Jews regaining their own state: "Once restored to an independent government and no longer persecuted," Adams wrote, Jews "would soon wear away some of the asperities and peculiarities of their character and possibly in time become liberal Unitarian Christians." (Foreign Affairs - July/August 2008)
Spiritual exploration
Religion reporter Tracy Simmons attempts to understand the non-creedal nature of a "Unitarian Universalist Church," but says she has yet to visit one. She asks readers to respond to her "Matter of Faith" blog, which includes a link to Connecticut's UU congregations. (American-Republican - Waterbury, CT - 6.26.08)
Schulz cites progress on human rights
Speaking at the annual UUA General Assembly, the Rev. William F. Schulz, former president of the UUA and former executive director of Amnesty International USA, cites progress on human rights issues in America and abroad. (South Florida Sun-Sentinel - FL - 6.26.08)
Tim Berners-Lee, Internet pioneer
The British Telegraph profiles Internet pioneer and HTML author Sir Tim Berners-Lee, mentioning his Unitarian faith. (Telegraph - UK - 6.27.08)
Clock-tower steward completes Alcatraz triathlon
Jeffrey Ferris—bicycle guru, cancer survivor, community organizer, snow-shoveler, transportation activist, and clock-tower steward of the First Church in Jamaica Plain, Mass.—completed California's grueling Alcatraz triathlon in enduring, barefoot style. (Jamaica Plain Gazette - Jamaica Plain, MA - 6.27.08)
Cradle UU
UUA General Assembly delegate and journalism professor Wayne Dawkins carries Unitarian Universalism's non-creedal heritage with pride. Writing about the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life's U.S. Religious Landscape Survey, Dawkins believes tolerance is alive and well among many of America's faithful. (PoliticsInColor.com - 6.27.08)
Congregations in the news
Greener, cleaner
Fairfax County, Va., funded a $60,000 stormwater-improvement project at Mt. Vernon Unitarian Church in Alexandria; the congregation is the county's first "Green Sanctuary" congregation. The work at the hilltop site is expected to have a positive impact on Little Hunting Creek watershed and ultimately contribute to restoring the health of Chesapeake Bay. (Mount Vernon Gazette - McLean, VA - 6.25.08)
Flooding displaces low-income daycare center
Flooding in Rutland, Vt., displaced a low-income daycare-provider housed in the basement of the UU church. A local independent school will host the daycare center temporarily. (Rutland Herald - VT - 6.19.08, 6.27.08)
Matching funds for homeless center
The UU Fellowship of Decatur, Ill., pledged half of the proceeds from the congregation's Earthstock event to help a homeless day center make up a budget shortfall, joining other church and community groups in the effort. (Herald & Review - Decatur, IL - 6.26.08)
Steady now
The Rev. Diane Teichert arrived 10 years ago at the First Parish UU of Canton, Mass., at a difficult time for the congregation; during her tenure she steadied things within and was active in the larger community as well. She leaves to become assistant minister at the First Parish in Bedford, Mass. (Canton Citizen - MA - 6.26.08)
Sharing history
The Unitarian Universalist Meeting House in Provincetown, Mass., has joined with other local organizations to coordinate efforts at sharing the town's history. (Provincetown Banner - Provincetown, MA - 6.27.08)
The Rev. Dr. Paul Hull of First Church of Christ, Unitarian, in Lancaster, Mass., serves on the town's "Celebrate Lancaster Committee," an eight-member board that plans to work with agencies, the town, groups, and sponsors to revitalize the community. (Times & Courier - Lancaster, MA - 6.26.08)
Cultivating the garden
The garden of the UU Church of Buffalo, N.Y., has participated in a popular ornamental Garden Walk event longer than any other garden. (Buffalo News - NY - 6.27.08)
Once and future UK sanctuary
After years of closure and disuse, Todmorden Unitarian Church in Lancashire, England, has been repaired and now hosts bimonthly Unitarian worship services. (Todmorden News - Todmorden, UK - 6.26.08)
Near miss
Lightning missed the steeple but hit a utility pole in front of the Kennebunk, Me., UU church. (Sanford-Springvale Register - Biddeford, ME - 6.27.08)
Chris Walton contributed to this week's roundup.
posted by Rosalie Davis at
9:34 AM
