Pluto discoverer featured on NOVA, and other UUs in the media

NOVA explores Pluto and the UU who discovered it

The PBS series NOVA focuses on Pluto—discovered in 1930 by Unitarian Clyde Tombaugh—and the continuing debate over its loss of planetary status. You can watch the entire program, "The Pluto Files," online. Part four includes a visit to Tombaugh's hometown, an interview with his family, and a stop to see the Tombaugh stained-glass window at the UU Church of Las Cruces, N. Mex., a church he and his wife helped found. For a good chuckle, don't miss the slideshow of angry post-demotion letters from Pluto-supporting third graders. (PBS.org - Feb. 2010, UU World - Fall 2005)

See also:
My Dad Discovered Pluto (PBS.org - Feb. 2010)
He found a planet and founded a church (UU World - Fall 2005)
UU astronomer's ashes en route to Pluto (uuworld.org - 10.6.06)

Same-sex marriage in D.C., Haiti fundraising, and more

The Rev. Robert Hardies, senior minister of All Souls Unitarian Church in Washington, D.C., says he has been inundated with calls from same-sex couples looking to wed now that same-sex marriage is legal in the nation's capital. (10connects.com - 3.3.10)

A February 10 pro-marriage equality column by the Rev. Cynthia Landrum, minister of the Universalist Unitarian Church of East Liberty in Clarklake, Mich., has continued to generate debate in the Jackson Citizen Patriot. (The Jackson Citizen Patriot - 2.10.10, 3.1.10)

The First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn, N.Y., donated $4,000 for Haiti relief during a special Sunday morning collection and is making the cause an ongoing campaign for the rest of the church year. (Brooklyn Daily Eagle - 3.4.10)

The Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Mission Viejo, Calif., held a Haiti relief fundraiser featuring live music and belly dancing, which raised $1,234. (OCRegister - 2.26.10)

A recent report from the Religious Institute, a multifaith organization promoting sexuality education led by the Rev. Debra W. Haffner, a community minister with the Unitarian Church in Westport, Conn., continues to draw attention for urging faith leaders to better meet the sexuality needs of congregants by 2020. (WomensRadio - Feb. 2010)

The Rev. Jeff Briere, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Chattanooga, Tenn., comments on the Religious Institute report and on a statement by the UUA that it will start requiring ministerial candidates to show competency in sexuality issues before they can be ordained. (Chattanooga Times Free Press - 2.27.10)

A group of about 100 people met in Uganda, at an event organized by the Rev. Mark Kiyimba of the Ugandan Unitarian Universalist Church, to speak out against a proposed anti-homosexuality bill. (GlobalPost - 2.26.10)

See also: Ugandan UUs oppose anti-homosexuality bill (2.22.10)

Nancy Vedder-Shults, a member of First Unitarian Society in Madison, Wisc., shares her thoughts on proposed language changes in the UUA's Principles and Purposes, specifically the environmentally focused Seventh Principle. (Tikkun - 3.3.10)

The Aiken Unitarian Universalist Church in S.C. was awarded $28,000 in matching funds to help the congregation hire its first minister. (Aiken Standard - 2.28.10)

One woman's fall into homelessness, and other UUs in the media

Morales discusses priorities on West Coast visit

The North County Times interviewed UUA President Peter Morales as he stopped in California during a tour of West Coast churches. (North County Times - 2.26.10)

Homelessness frustrating for woman, those trying to help

The Tulsa World profiles Joey Baker, who has been living in her car with her pets since she lost her home last June. Baker often drops by All Souls UU Church, which her family has attended for years, but the Rev. Marlin Lavanhar expresses frustration over not knowing how best to help her. (Tulsa World - 2.21.10)

UU ministers on miracles, love, equality, community

The Rev. Erik Walker Wikstrom, Worship and Music Resources director for the Unitarian Universalist Association, writes in the Washington Post that we have stopped noticing miracles: "Maybe we need a walking-on-water, parting-the-seas kind of miracle to catch our attentions today, yet aren't we surrounded by miracles enough?" (Washington Post - 2.10)

The Rev. Tess Baumberger, minister at the Unity Church of North Easton, Mass., explores the question: "What would it feel like if I began to source my life and my work in love, rather than in the frantic need to do, to impress, and to achieve?” (Norton Mirror - 2.19.10)

The Rev. Andrew Pakula, minister of the Newington Green and Islington Unitarians in England and a member of the national Executive Committee of the Unitarians of Great Britain, writes in defense of civil partnerships. (The Guardian - 2.23.10)

The Rev. Daniel Budd, minister of the First Unitarian Church of Cleveland, Ohio, writes of his city: "In order to create a sustainable culture in and for our city and its metropolitan area, we must value one of the most important resources we have. We must value one another." (Plain Dealer - 2.20.10)

Burned church rebuilt, knitting ministry, and more

The new sanctuary of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern, N.Y., whose previous building was destroyed by a fire in September 2006, is almost complete. (Times Herald-Record - 2.22.10) See also: Fire destroys Rock Tavern UU church (uuworld.org - 9.15.06)

Massachusetts minister the Rev. Judy Campbell started a knitting ministry--the Martha's Vineyard Knitting for Charity group--which meets weekly to create hats, mittens, and other projects for the needy. (Martha's Vineyard Times - 2.25.10)

George Beykovsky, a 78-year-old Holocaust survivor who now calls the Evergreen Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Marysville, Wash., his "second home," shares the story of how his family fled Europe to escape the Nazis. (HeraldNet - 2.21.10)

Once a month the First Unitarian Universalist Church in Youngstown, Ohio, hosts a coffee social that supports GLBT teens and young adults and their families. (TheJambar.com - 2.23.10)

Police have asked the public for help finding a man they believe stole a purse from the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bangor, Maine. Video is 02:43. (WCSH-TV - 2.19.10) See also: Bangor Police Ask Assistance in Catching Purse Snatcher (WABI - 2.19.10)

A group celebrated the dedication of a new roof-mounted solar power system at the Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim, Calif. (OC Weekly - 2.19.10)

The Interfaith Dialogue on Earth Care brought together a large group of educators, community members, and spiritual leaders, including the Rev. Peter Connolly, minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Bowling Green, Ky. (Bowling Green Daily News - 2.20.10)