On the cover:
“Whoever Brought Me Here Will Have To Take Me Home” (detail), © 1998 by Daniel Nevins (www.danielnevins.com). Oil on wood, 42 x 36 inches. Private collection/theispot.com.
You can listen or download audio recordings of this issue on the Fall 2009 audio index.
The gospel of inclusion A black Pentecostal bishop embraces Universalism, befriends a Unitarian minister, and shakes up the largest congregation in the UUA. By Kimberly French in Life
A multicultural future The Unitarian Universalist Association elects a president focused on helping congregations adapt to a changing society. By Donald E. Skinner and Christopher L. Walton in News
Awards for service to church and state UUA honors Debra Bowen, Mark Ritchie, Eric Isaacson, and the Rev. Alice Blair Wesley. By Christopher L. Walton and Sonja L. Cohen in News
Social witness resolutions Resolutions adopted by the 2009 UUA General Assembly. By Christopher L. Walton in News
The breadth of our message Can Unitarian Universalism become more culturally diverse? By Christopher L. Walton in From the editor
We want our movement to change A letter from the newly elected president of the Unitarian Universalist Association. By Peter Morales
Mailbox, Fall 2009 Doubtful saints, uncontested elections, and putting down roots. By Jane Greer in Letters
Letters, Fall 2009 Readers respond to the Summer 2009 issue. By Jane Greer in Letters
Blog roundup, Fall 2009 Online responses to UU World. By Christopher L. Walton in Letters
Traffic report, Fall 2009 Top ten stories at uuworld.org. By Christopher L. Walton in Letters
Reach out to become a public church Unitarian Universalism can't yet claim that the greater good is its primary purpose, but it should. By Michael Durall in Forum
Youth, adults bond through service trips Service trips are a great way to help people in need and cultivate a lifelong awareness of the importance of serving others. By Donald E. Skinner in Congregational life
New Wichita church full of spaces for children New UU building also has 'safe' rooms built to withstand tornadoes. By Jane Greer in Spiritual landmarks
Practice gratitude Like hope, trust, and love, gratitude is both a feeling and a spiritual practice. By Christine Robinson and Alicia Hawkins in Reflections
Be the change Those who want to move the world in the direction of equality and lasting harmony must become, and learn to think of themselves as, forces of history. By Stephen M. Shick in Reflections
A spark of understanding My first encounter with Unitarianism. By Bernadette Siegel in Reflections
Winter Falls Trying to capture a tiny part of the essence that sparks my sense of wonder. By Gabriel Jules in Reflections
Lot A, Mills Heights Everything we do leaves a mark. By Ellen Wixted in Reflections
Death barged in He has been here ever since. By Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno in Reflections
Just cause A line is crossed. By George Witte in Reflections
Families: Weave a Tapestry of Faith (pdf)
Beacon Press to reissue MLK writingsFeatured online in another form: Beacon Press to reissue Martin Luther King Jr.'s books Exclusive partnership with King’s estate will bring civil rights leader’s writings to a contemporary audience. By Christopher L. Walton in UU news
Portrait of a President Painting by Shelley Thayer Layton presented on June 3, 2009. By Jane Greer in UU news
Membership in UUA declines slightly in 2008Featured online in another form: Membership growth in UUA slows down Latest figures show slight dip; UUA presidential candidates Laurel Hallman and Peter Morales comment on growth strategies. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
Board proposes changes to UUA election processFeatured online in another form: Board proposes changes to UUA elections Search committee would nominate candidates for president for a six-year term; board would nominate candidates for moderator. By Jane Greer in UU news
Youth ministry reports issue call for changeFeatured online in another form: Reports outline new model of UU youth ministry Urge congregations and districts to make ministry to youth and young people of color priorities. By Donald E. Skinner
New credentialing for musiciansFeatured online in another form: UUA offers credentials to church musicians Unitarian Universalist Association is also revising religious educators' credentialing program. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
Organizational changes made at UUA in FY10Featured online in another form: UUA reorganizes Congregational Services staff Department disbanded; most offices will merge with District Services into new Congregational Growth and Vitality Staff Group. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
N.H. UUs cheer same-sex marriageFeatured online in another form: UUs cheer legalization of gay marriage in New Hampshire ‘Live Free or Die’ state now place to ‘Live Free and Marry’ By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
UUA, UUSC leaders call for torture inquiry Letter to President Obama calls for ‘accountability’ for U.S. officials who authorized torture. By Sonja L. Cohen in UU news
New Orleans still welcomes helpFeatured online in another form: New Orleans UU congregations still welcome help Area churches organize to coordinate fundraising, volunteers. By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news
UUA charts new international courseFeatured online in another form: UUA shifts international focus to congregations Sinkford’s presidency focused less on institutional alliances, set up resources for churches seeking international partners. By Jane Greer in UU news
Illinois church collects stories from veteransFeatured online in another form: Illinois church collects veterans’ stories Unitarian Universalist church’s oral history project opens up conversations about military service. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
UU convicted of littering for supplying humanitarian aidFeatured online in another form: UU convicted of littering while supplying humanitarian aid Ministry provides water, supplies to migrants crossing Arizona desert By Jane Greer in UU news
Seeing Joseph Priestley whole He's more than just the discoverer of oxygen and soda water, and not just incidentally a Unitarian. By Scott Gerard Prinster in Bookshelf
Gratitude, paying attention, and multiculturalism Questions for spiritual reflection and adult group discussions. By Jane Greer in What in the World?
Fifty years after the vote to form the UUA The Unitarian and Universalist consolidation process continues to this day. By Kimberly French in Looking back
Vanessa’s garage Volunteering in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina—and the aftermath of my diagnosis with ALS—has helped me appreciate the complexity of asking for, and offering, help. By Mary J. Harrington
Their spirit is still with us One year after a gunman opened fire in the Unitarian Universalist church in Knoxville, the congregation’s minister reflects on the spirituality that has sustained his people. By Christopher Buice
From mother to gypsy Saying goodbye to the home where I raised my children. By Meg Barnhouse
Message or culture? Are Unitarian Universalists more committed to spreading liberal religion or to preserving our congregational culture? By Doug Muder
General Assembly blog
Unitarian Universalists in the media: Weekly guide to news about UUs
The interdependent web: Weekly guide to the best in UU blogs