Advertisement
Congregation to host ‘Death Cafe’ on Halloween night
First Unitarian Universalist Church of Winnipeg, Manitoba, has chosen an opportune time to host an open conversation about death and dying—Halloween night. Called a “Death Cafe,” the event will focus on open discussion rather than grief support. The congregation’s minister, the Rev. Meghann Robern, said, “We are sowing into the community the understanding that we intentionally and willingly face difficult questions together.” (Winnipeg Free Press, October 26)
The antidote to hate is love
An unknown vandal painted a swastika on the UU Church in Cortland, New York, this past weekend. A message on the congregation’s website reported that the police had been alerted and a board member had painted over the image. The message also noted that the image “was shocking to see on our historic church and we are still early in our emotional processing.” (Syracuse.com, October 27)
One year after the massacre at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, two congregations in Youngstown, Ohio, held a joint service to remember the victims. Rabbi Frank Muller of Temple Rodef Shalom, who initiated the memorial event, said, “The antidote to hate is love. If we only took time to know each other, we could come together; all the hate would dissipate.” The Rev. Joseph Boyd of the UU Church of Youngstown, added, “Love is stronger than hate. It is through unity and joining together that we end hate. We can do that. It's what gives me hope, it's what gives our community hope, and my prayer is that it gives the Jewish community support and hope, in this great time of need.” (WFMJ, October 28)
Despite the efforts of the Rev. Matthew Johnson, comedian Louis CK will perform at the city-owned Coronado Performing Arts Center in Rockford, Illinois. Johnson, senior minister of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Rockford, noted that the city was growing in awareness of domestic violence and human trafficking, and said, “I want there to be enough of a culture shift where we’re not correcting . . . after the fact. . . . I want them to be saying upfront: No, we’re going to pass.” (Rockford Register Star, October 23)