Unitarian Universalists in the Media

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

Friday, September 19, 2008

Ethical Society's return to roots, reflections on Knoxville, and more

by Sonja L. Cohen

Ethical Society hires UU leader
The Washington Post writes that the humanistic Washington Ethical Society hoped for a return to its roots when it recently hired a UU minister as its new leader. (Washington Post - 9.13.08)

See also: Ethical Culture's humanist legacy (UU World - Fall 2008)

Reflecting on Knoxville shooting
The Rev. Chris Buice, minister of the Tennessee Valley UU Church in Knoxville, Tenn., appeared on last Friday's Bill Moyer’s Journal to discuss the Knoxville shootings and the effects of hate speech in right-wing media. Watch a video of the 20-minute segment. (PBS - 9.12.08)

Susan Ford, a former Knoxville UU Church member, will run in an upcoming Ironman Florida competition to raise funds for the UUA's Knoxville Relief Fund and as a way of dealing with her grief over the recent shootings. (Cookeville Herald Citizen - Cookeville, TN 9.17.08)

See also: UUs Respond to Tragedy in Knoxville (UUA.org)

UUs mark anniversary of 9/11
The UU Society of Martha's Vineyard in Vineyard Haven, Mass., held a small gathering in remembrance of September 11. (Martha's Vineyard Gazette - Edgartown, MA 9.12.08)

Celebrating a Unitarian's 'most popular' Christmas song
September marks the 151st anniversary of what is purportedly the most popular Christmas song of all time, "Jingle Bells," which was written by Unitarian James Pierpont in 1857. (Dublin Courier Herald - Dublin, GA 9.16.08)

Interfaith group calls for increased federal aid to Gulf
The Rev. Bill Schulz, chairman of the UU Service Committee board of directors; Charles Clements, UUSC president and CEO; and Meg Riley, UUA director of Advocacy and Witness, were part of a large interfaith group that signed a statement calling for stepped-up federal efforts to aid in the hurricane-damaged Gulf Coast area. (Dallas Morning News - Dallas, TX 9.15.08)

Personal reflections on liberalism, our faith
The Rev. Paul Britner, minister of the UU Fellowship of Montgomery, Ala., writes about taking pride in being a "liberal." (Montgomery Advertiser - Montgomery, AL 9.12.08)

Jean Hislop, a member of the Social Action Committee of the UU Congregation of Danbury, Ct., writes about what convinced her that Unitarian Universalism was the right faith for her. (Danbury News Times - Danbury, CT 9.13.08)

In the congregations
Hundreds showed up for the annual Empty Bowls event sponsored by the Prescott UU Fellowship and the Granite Peak UU Congregation, which generates about $15,000 for Arizona food banks each year. (Sun Shopper - Prescott, AZ 9.14.08)

The Rev. Tony Lorenzen of Pathways UU Church in Southlake, Tex., will lead a candlelight vigil in support of gay, lesbian, and transgender rights. (Fort Worth Star Telegram - Fort Worth, TX 9.13.08)

The Open Circle UU Fellowship in Fond du Lac, Wisc., celebrates the opening of its new permanent home in a renovated print shop. (The Reporter - Fond du Lac, WI 9.16.08)

The Schenectady Gazette profiles Melissa MacKinnon, who was recently made director of religious education at the First Unitarian Society of Schenectady, N.Y. (Schenectady Gazette - Schenectady, NY 9.13.08)

The Capital Times takes a look at the long-standing relationship between the First Unitarian Society of Madison, Wisc., and a local Jewish congregation. (The Capital Times - Madison, WI 9.17.08)

posted by Sonja L. Cohen at 4:30 PM

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