On the cover: The Storm (2007), by Charles Nkomo (b.1974, Zimbabwe). Oil on canvas. © Private Collection/Guruve Gallery (www.guruve.com).
You can listen or download audio recordings of this issue at our audio index page.
'One tribe, one people' Unitarian Universalism is growing rapidly in Africa, uniting people from many tribes to serve the poor. By Scott Kraft in Life
A public witness President William G. Sinkford looks back on eight years of leadership. By Christopher L. Walton in Life
The liberal saints Andrene Kauffman’s murals in Chicago’s Third Unitarian Church honor heroes of the liberal spirit. By Donald E. Skinner in Spirit
'Utne' honor, farewell to 'uu&me!' 'Utne Reader' names 'UU World' a finalist for an Utne Independent Press Award. By Christopher L. Walton in From the editor
My heart sings songs of thanks and praise President Sinkford's farewell column. By William G. Sinkford in Our calling
Letters, Summer 2009 Readers respond to the Spring 2009 issue. By Jane Greer in Letters
Mailbox, Summer 2009 Evaluating Darwin's legacy, dismissing spirituality, and praising the cover. By Jane Greer in Letters
Blog roundup, Summer 2009 Online responses to UU World. By Christopher L. Walton in Letters
Traffic report, Summer 2009 Top ten stories at uuworld.org. By Christopher L. Walton in Letters
The promised land is under your feet Communities owe their health to those with the fortitude to stay put. By Michael Schuler in Forum
Congregations organize to combat recession Tightening their own belts, Unitarian Universalist churches help members in need. By Donald E. Skinner in Congregational life
Lessons from an elephant sage The most important thing Samboon taught me was how to speak from my deepest and most grounded place. By Rain T. Van Den Berg in Reflections
Blue agave Abstractions in nature. By Laura Janes in Reflections
A natural aptitude People probably thought my parents were hippies because we were out-of-the-closet Unitarian Universalists. By Laura Pedersen in Reflections
The human condition If the ego is about how we are separate, then the spirit is about how we are connected. By Kenneth W. Collier in Reflections
UUA to cut staff, reduce expensesFeatured online in another form: UUA cuts staff, reorganizes departments to balance budget Equivalent of 13 full-time positions eliminated; Congregational Services to be reorganized. By Jane Greer in UU news
Killer sentenced, victims honoredFeatured online in another form: Knoxville churches honor shooting victims; killer pleads guilty Unrepentant shooter urged others to ‘kill liberals’; Unitarian Universalists name rooms after his victims during 60th anniversary celebration. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
UUs keep up reconciliation workFeatured online in another form: Cincinnati churches continue racial reconciliation Unitarian Universalists build relationships with descendents of black minister spurned by Unitarians in 1930s. By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news
Being UU in UtahFeatured online in another form: Utah a 'great place to be a Unitarian Universalist' Unitarian Universalist Association's General Assembly meets in Salt Lake City, June 24-28. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
Board ends affiliate statusFeatured online in another form: UUA board votes to end independent affiliate status Hears update on UUA cost-cutting measures, places new Principles and Purposes on GA agenda. By Jane Greer in UU news
California UUs partner with Tijuana familiesFeatured online in another form: California congregation forms ties with Tijuana families Unitarian Universalist fellowship delivers food, supplies, and letters to new-found friends in Tijuana. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
CLF supports new military ministryFeatured online in another form: New website helps military UUs connect Church of the Larger Fellowship launches military ministry website. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
Moderator Courter seeks second termFeatured online in another form: Gini Courter seeks another term as UUA moderator Priorities include shift to policy governance, accountability to congregations, antiracism, and 'excellence in ministry.' By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
UUs participate in global warming conference, rallyFeatured online in another form: Unitarian Universalists promote clean energy on Capitol Hill Thousands of young people gather in Washington to lobby for changes in energy policy. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
UU fights S.C.'s 'I believe' license platesFeatured online in another form: UU minister challenges S.C. 'I believe' license plates Judge calls legislature's plans to issue license plates depicting a cross a violation of church-state separation. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
Nomadic Americans, elephants, and UU saints Questions for spiritual reflection and adult group discussions. By Jane Greer in What in the World?
John Murray's conversion to Universalism How an 18th-century Calvinist embraced Universalism and became the first minister of a Universalist church in America. By Kimberly French in Looking back
A religion for hard times Faith is what’s left when you stop responding to radical uncertainty with panic and denial. By Doug Muder
Graduation day Parenthood makes life serious and challenges you to push past limitations you have accepted too easily. But those issues don't go away when you decide not to have children. By Doug Muder
The love truck The Karma Fairy is laughing her head off at the SUV in my driveway. By Meg Barnhouse
The church board and the Illuminati What did the Décor Committee know, and when did they know it? By Meg Barnhouse
Flat tire and a beating heart A heartbeat is one thing you want to do like everyone else. By Meg Barnhouse
Reclaiming my space in the sisterhood The International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women revived me. By Joanna Fontaine Crawford