Fall 2016

‘I need you to survive’
The 2016 General Assembly reaffirmed the Unitarian Universalist Association’s commitment to racial justice.
by Elaine McArdle and Kenny Wiley

2016 Berry Street Essay: Challenging the secrets around clergy misconduct
by Elaine McArdle and Christopher L. Walton

A record of things wonderful
An atheist reckons with God, kids, and the Unitarian Universalist church.
by Kris Willcox

DEPARTMENTS

Introducing our first ‘seeker issue’
Imagine a magazine you would hand to a friend who expressed curiosity about our liberal religion.
by Christopher L. Walton in From the editor

Catharsis ≠ progress
I worry that we will fall victim to the progressive habit of declaring victory too early.
by Peter Morales in From the president

A vote: a way to have a say (PDF)
Four-page insert adapted from Tapestry of Faith lifespan faith development programs.
by the UUA Faith Development Office in Families Weave a Tapestry of Faith

LIFE

Making stuff up together
Mission Peak is a congregation willing to ‘try things, mess up, and keep on trying.’
by Kenny Wiley

In François Clemmons’s unlikely neighborhood
Actor and singer looks back on his groundbreaking role on ‘Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood.’
by Heather Beasley Doyle

Quincy church, presidents’ tomb
Two U.S. presidents and their wives are buried in a Unitarian Universalist church in Quincy, Massachusetts.
by Sonja L. Cohen

My dear, you shall have them
Shedding possessions as I age is a family—and faith—tradition.
by Jane Rzepka

SPIRIT

Varieties of religious discernment
Each of my communities of faith has valued listening to the part of ourselves that knows where and how to leap.
by Heather Christensen

A need for divination
Divination—the art of receiving messages from the world of Spirit—is as old as any religion.
by John Beckett

Creations: Concert classical guitar
Instinct, experience, and aesthetic judgment play a crucial role.
by Toby Rzepka

Personal discovery within community
Where is your sanctuary in the midst of life’s catastrophes and chaos? How will you take the time to nurture your soul?
by Alicia Forde

Creations: Religions of the world leather mosaics
Dianna Thornhill-Miller makes stylized medallions honoring the world’s religious diversity.
by Christopher L. Walton

Fantasize together and wait
A really big decision defies visualization, because the choice itself changes who I will become.
by Doug Muder

IDEAS

Ken Burns explores Unitarians’ WWII story
A new documentary about two Unitarian heroes is coming this fall to PBS.
by Denise T. Davidoff

O Peugeot of many names
On authentically using the term ‘god.’
by David Breeden

There is no going back
The unbridgeable gap between UUs and the conservative movement.
by Tom Schade

A life of magic and ministry
John Nicholls Booth found acclaim and controversy in a career that took him from stage to pulpit.
by Kris Willcox in Looking Back

Blog roundup
Highlights from the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere, April–July 2016.
by Heather Christensen

Top ten online
Most frequently visited stories on uuworld.org, April 11–July 3, 2016.

NEWS

The print edition contains abridged versions of stories that first appeared on uuworld.org.

In Orlando, Unitarian church quickly reaches out
Three miles from Pulse nightclub, UU congregation hosts grief counselors, blood drive, and gun reform groups.
by Joshua Eaton | 6/14/16

Beacon Press an ‘amazing story’ of success
Posts surplus revenues for 13 years in a row.
by Elaine McArdle | 5/23/2016

ELAW helps lawyers around the world fight for environmental justice
A Unitarian Universalist in Eugene, Oregon, directs global alliance.
by Elaine McArdle | 5/9/2016

News brief: Eight UU clergy arrested at Boston pipeline protest
Climate justice, safety concerns spur fight against West Roxbury lateral pipeline.
by Elaine McArdle | 5/26/2016

News brief: Lummi nation wins battle to keep coal terminal out of Washington State
Lummi Nation's climate justice efforts were featured at 2015 General Assembly.
by Elaine McArdle | 5/10/2016

In New Orleans, UUs join protest against Gulf drilling
43 million acres of Gulf auctioned off despite low oil prices.
by Elaine McArdle | 4/11/2016

Frederick-Gray: ‘Sense of mission draws the best out of people’
The Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, candidate for UUA president, was instrumental in 2012 Justice GA.
by Elaine McArdle | 8/1/16 in UUAVote2017

Miller: ‘Blood of UUs courses through my veins’
The Rev. Alison Miller, candidate for UUA president, emphasizes power we have to heal one another.
by Elaine McArdle | 7/25/16 in UUAVote2017

Third candidate certified in race for UUA president
The Rev. Jeanne Pupke joins 2017 presidential race by petition.
by Christopher L. Walton | 6/20/2016 in UUAVote2017

UUs in the Media roundup
Welcoming refugees, Canadian youth makes pro-trans video, and toilet training.
by Rachel Walden

News brief: Andover Newton and Yale Divinity School announce partnership
Boston-area seminary announces plans for Yale Divinity School partnership.
by Christopher L. Walton | 5/2/2016

News brief: UU Humanists describe talks with UUA president about Boy Scouts
Group expresses disappointment with UUA’s response to Boy Scouts’ ‘belief in God’ language.
by Christopher L. Walton | 5/3/2016

News brief: Letter to LGBTQI clergy and leadership in the United Methodist Church
UUA president invites others to join him in signing an open letter to United Methodists.
by Kenneth Sutton | 5/18/2016

New UUA board reviews GA 2016
Plans future discussion on Robert’s Rules of Order, clergy sexual misconduct.
by Elaine McArdle | 6/30/2016

News brief: UUA trustees appoint three committee chairs
Board names three committee chairs on eve of 2016 General Assembly.
by Elaine McArdle | 6/22/2016

Obituaries
Abridged for print from the full obituaries published by the UU Ministers Association.

It’s about more than membership
Focus on engagement, and the numbers will take care of themselves.
by Michael Hart in Inside

UUA aids voter registration effort
Congregations have opportunities to register voters in their communities.
by Michael Hart in Inside

ONLINE EXTRAS

UU World Digital, Fall 2016
Subscribe to the digital replica edition, optimized for tablets, laptops, and desktops.
by Qmags

Audio recordings
Audio recordings of selected UU World stories.
By Don Hymel