posted by Kenneth Sutton at 5:04 PM

Friday, October 03, 2008

Forrest Church in the New York Times, and more

UU ministers in the headlines
The New York Times joined the crowd at the Unitarian Church of All Souls in New York City as the Rev. Forrest Church, who is dying from cancer, gave a repeat performance of his farewell sermon. (New York Times - 9.29.08)

See also: Love and Death (UU World - Summer 2008)

The Boston Globe looks at the work and spiritual journey of the Rev. Nora Fitzpatrick, the first openly gay minister of the First Parish Church of Berlin, Mass. (Boston Globe - 9.28.08)

The State Journal-Register profiles the intricate faith of the Rev. Ed Hardy, a Buddhist, atheist, and minister of the First Parish UU Church in Bridgewater, Mass. (The State Journal-Register - Springfield, IL 9.28.08)

The Rev. Ann Fox of the Unitarian Memorial Church in Fairhaven, Mass., traveled to New Zealand as a 'peace pilgrim.' (Advocate - New Bedford, MA 10.2.08)

In the congregations
The LiveARTS Sunday Concert Series, a nonprofit, nonsectarian affiliate of the First Universalist Society of Franklin, Mass., started with the congregation's own Schimmel grand piano. (Milford Daily News - MA 9.26.08)

Churches in Long Beach, Calif., are divided on California's Proposition 8, a proposed same-sex marriage ban initiative, with area UUs coming to the defense of marriage equality. (Long Beach Press-Telegram - Long Beach, CA 9.28.08)

The UU Church of Elgin, Ill., the picture of a "green sanctuary," is hosting its annual Prairie Fest to inform and inspire the community about environmental responsibility. (The Courier News - Elgin, IL 9.27.08)

Lay people take the reins of the UU Congregation in Andover, Mass., after their minister, the Rev. Ralph Galen, moves on. (Andover Townsman - Andover, MA 10.2.08)

posted by Sonja L. Cohen at 3:50 PM

Friday, September 26, 2008

UUs embrace social justice causes and more

UUs embrace social justice causes
Youth at the UU Congregational Society of Westboro, Mass., join those from several other area churches participating in the Tents of Hope project, which helps raise awareness of refugee conditions in Darfur. (Worcester Telegram - Worcester, MA 9.19.08)

See also: Tents draw attention to Darfurian refugees' plight (uuworld.org - 9.8.08)

An opinion piece in the Ithaca Journal talks about the work of religious denominations, including UUs, who are participating in the National Religious Campaign Against Torture. (Ithaca Journal - Ithaca, NY 9.25.08)

The UU Congregation of Greater Naples, Fla., joined PFLAG, the ACLU, and others at a rally to urge voters to reject an amendment that would legally define marriage as being between a man and woman. (Naples Daily News - Naples, FL 9.20.08)

The Social Justice Council of the UU Fellowship of Gainesville, Fla., succeeded in its effort to secure after-school bus service for children of a low-income housing project, which will allow the kids to use afterschool programs. (AM850 - FL 9.19.08)

Reflections on the nature of death
The Rev. Virginia Wolf, minister emerita of the UU Congregation of Eau Claire, Wisc., reflects on the idea that death is a natural, essential part of our lives. (Leader-Telegram - Eau Claire, WI 9.19.08)

Atheists becoming more outspoken
A Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life study released earlier this year showed that 16 percent of Americans are religiously unaffiliated and about 2 percent each describe themselves as "atheist" or "agnostic"—and this group is becoming increasingly vocal in response to an increased emphasis on religion in the United States. (Louisville Courier-Journal - Louisville, KY 9.24.08)

Pagan festival raises funds for Knoxville
A Pagan Pride Festival at the Westside UU Church in Farragut, Tenn., raised $750 to benefit the victims of the Tennessee Valley UU shooting and collected a food for a local food bank. (Knoxville News Sentinel - Knoxville, TN)

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

Stories of UU individuals
The Yellow Springs News looks at the long and music-filled life of Mitzi Manny, a member of the UU Musicians Network, who is preparing to celebrate her 90th birthday. (Yellow Springs News - Yellow Springs, OH 9.18.08)

The Rev. Ann Fox of the UU Society of Fairhaven, Mass., spent her sabbatical in New Zealand in search of peace and a transforming experience. (SouthCoastToday.com - New Bedford, MA 9.20.08)

The Rev. Deane Oliva talks about racial equality and avoiding labels during her first sermon as the new minister of the UU Church of Evansville, Ind. (Evansville Courier & Press - Evansville, IN 9.20.08)

The Salem News presents a short profile on the Rev. Frieda Gillespie, the new minister of the Northshore UU Church in Danvers, Mass. (The Salem News - Beverly, MA 9.23.08)

Madison's UU-Jewish connection
The Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle takes a look at the long-standing relationship between the Unitarian and Jewish communities in Madison as a Jewish congregation moves into the First Unitarian Society of Madison. (Wisconsin Jewish Chronicle - Madison, WI)

posted by Sonja L. Cohen at 4:08 PM

Friday, September 19, 2008

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

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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