Cover illustration © Edel Rodriguez/theispot.com
Assumed identities: A personal history of passing I didn’t want to lie about who I was anymore, but I would learn people wouldn’t accept a simple one- or two-word answer about who I was, either. Not talking about race isn’t an option any person of color in this country has ever had, in particular if it’s not clear what race you are. by Brando Skyhorse
‘You cannot go out’ Sujitno Sajuti has lived in a Unitarian Universalist church since October, pleading to stay in the country he has called home for thirty years. by Patrick Sullivan
Our work, too A glimpse into the work the editors are doing as part of the Unitarian Universalist Association’s commitment to dismantle white supremacy. by Christopher L. Walton in From the editor
The touchstone of community It’s going to take all of us to move our world, and our faith, forward in the ways of truth, compassion, and justice. by Susan Frederick-Gray in From the president
Families: Flower power 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
The #MeToo moment We can decide not to let our culture be defined by toxic masculinity. by Emily Wright-Magoon
My tender places are a source of strength Out of the blue, the 5-year-old turned to me and said matter-of-factly, ‘You’re fat.’ by Lindasusan Ulrich
Turning towards each other A post-fire redesign of this San José, California, church feels like ‘getting a hug from the building.’ by Kenny Wiley in Spiritual landmarks
Overseas connection European Unitarian Universalists group helps expats and European fellowships find common ground. by Diane Daniel
Film footnotes UU tangents in The Post, Lady Bird, and more. by Christopher L. Walton
Choosing a stubborn love An African American UU warily returns to his mostly white congregation. by Michael Hornsby
Diverse baptisms The first time, I emerged merely breathless, wet, and cold. by Jim Sherblom
UUA honors Bradburds with new painting ‘Love Is a Fearsome Thing,’ by Daniel Nevins, honors longtime supporters Arnold ‘Brad’ and Julie Bradburd. by UU World staff
Revising ourselves Exercises for the deeper, harder work of revising a text—and a life. by Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew
Schrödinger’s father The impending death of a loved one often leaves us sitting in a between-state. by Kenneth Sutton
Sin is personal, not just systemic Does the sin of white supremacy live in us or in the systems beyond us? by Molly Housh Gordon
Book to note: Maine’s storied UU history Peter Tufts Richardson’s Universalists & Unitarians of Maine offers an excellent resource for UU historians. by Elaine McArdle
Genre makeover In conventional women’s fiction, Olive Higgins Prouty created a bold new type of heroine. by Kris Willcox
Sunday security UU congregations are taking steps to be better prepared for emergencies. by Donald E. Skinner
Blog roundup ‘Grabbing a door handle covered in bees and honey.’ by Heather Christensen
Top ten online
The print edition contains abridged versions of stories that first appeared on uuworld.org.
Churches reach out in fire-ravaged California Unitarian Universalist Disaster Relief Fund, already making grants to hurricane victims, also helps congregations in towns ravaged by California wildfires. by Tina Porter, 12/13/2017
‘People’s lives are falling down on us as ash’ California Unitarian Universalists offer their homes as fires overwhelm communities. by Tina Porter, 10/17/2017
Houston UUs continue Harvey flood recovery by Kenny Wiley
Media Roundup: Seeking supportive community in traumatic times by Rachel Walden
Gun violence vigil draws 500 to NRA headquarters On fifth anniversary of Sandy Hook massacre, interfaith coalition gathers outside gun lobby’s headquarters. by Elaine McArdle, 12/19/2017
Activists block natural gas construction site near Port of Tacoma Unitarian Universalists assist Puyallup Tribe and climate justice activists in fight against liquefied natural gas plant. by Kenny Wiley, 12/20/2017
Virginia interfaith coalition targets local carbon emissions Fairfax County alliance aims for carbon neutrality by 2050, helps nearby counties form similar advocacy groups. by Elaine McArdle, 12/4/2017
Introducing ‘Side with Love,’ a more accessible public witness campaign UUA’s public witness campaign changes name after criticism that ‘Standing on the Side of Love’ privileged able-bodied people. by Elaine McArdle, 1/10/2018
UUSC President and CEO Tom Andrews steps down Andrews, who led the UU Service Committee since July 2016, is leaving to start a human rights advocacy group focused on the Rohingya of Burma. by Christopher L. Walton, 11/9/2017
UUA president speaks at launch of Poor People’s Campaign Susan Frederick-Gray condemns tax bill as part of ‘all-out violent assault’ on poor, working class, and middle class people; interfaith movement plans nationwide campaign of nonviolent civil disobedience. by Christopher L. Walton, 12/7/2017
Former UUA Moderator Denny Davidoff dies Denise T. Davidoff among Unitarian Universalist Association’s most active volunteer leaders, chairing board from 1993 to 2001 and serving in many roles over 50 years. by Tom Stites, 12/7/2017
Former UUA President Bob West dies at 88 The Rev. Robert Nelson West led the Unitarian Universalist Association through its most tumultuous period, 1969–1977. by Tom Stites, 10/30/2017
Hungarian Unitarian Church votes to support only male-female marriages In response, Unitarian Universalist leaders in North America express ‘deep concern.’ by Elaine McArdle, 11/13/2017
Clergy obituaries Abridged for print from the full obituaries published by the UU Ministers Association. In this issue: Rebecca M. Blodgett, Marguerite C. Clason, Beth Ellen Cooper, Edwin A. Lane, Donald W. McKinney, Carl H. Whittier Jr., and John B. Wolf.
UU World Digital 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
Intersectional feminism means showing up when there are no pink hats Women of privilege have to start showing up when an event or action isn’t about them. by Marchaé Grair, 1/19/18
Why many people don’t care about climate change The most important thing we can do to get people to focus on climate justice is to provide them with reliable employment, education, and health care. by Jeffrey A. Lockwood, 12/19/17
Greta Gerwig, a ‘fly on the wall for my adolescence’ A conversation about Greta Gerwig’s new film Lady Bird, growing up, and ritual for Unitarian Universalists. by Aisha Ansano, Abigail Clauhs, and Hannah Roberts Villnave, 12/14/17