On the cover: “Concourse, Grand Central Station,” ©1996 by Bill Jacklin. Oil on canvas, 36 x 36 inches. Private collection/The Bridgeman Art Library. www.bjacklin.com.
You can listen or download audio recordings of this issue on the Winter 2009 audio index.
The religious left An old tradition for a new day. By Daniel McKanan in Ideas
Breath is life Defending abortion from a liberal Christian perspective. By Scotty McLennan in Ideas
A poet's grief Kathleen Sheeder Bonanno's poetry chronicles her passage through grief after her daughter's murder. By Kimberly French in Life
Religious community is essential The central task of the religious community. By Mark Morrison-Reed in Opening words
We are not alone Unitarian Universalism is not alone on the 'religious left.' By Christopher L. Walton in From the editor
What moves you? We only find ourselves when we lose ourselves in service to something that transcends us. By Peter Morales in From the president
Letters, Winter 2009 Readers respond to the Fall 2009 issue. By Jane Greer in Letters
Mailbox, Winter 2009 One in three letters responds to a controversial ad. By Jane Greer in Letters
Blog roundup, Winter 2009 Online responses to UU World. By Kenneth Sutton in Letters
Traffic report, Winter 2009 Top ten stories at uuworld.org. By Christopher L. Walton in Letters
Religion and science can be partners Both science and religion have something meaningful to contribute to a universal ethic. By Bruce Sheiman in Forum
Innovations help congregants hear People with hearing loss are a big percentage of the people with disabilities who come through our doors on Sunday morning. By Donald E. Skinner in Congregational life
Restoring a Gilded Age church Church built to honor William Ellery Channing in 1880 is restored for the 21st century. By Jane Greer in Spiritual landmarks
The cathedral of the world A twenty-first-century theology, based on the concept of one light and many windows. By Forrest Church in Reflections
My goddess, my love From the stage to the canvas. By Mollie Kellogg in Reflections
Chestnut fences A connection to the 'stream of life.' By Patricia Robin Woodruff in Reflections
If there is a God . . . As an agnostic, I'm definitely an atheist about some gods. But what kind of God might be possible? By Cynthia Landrum in Reflections
Holy family A family holy enough to merit the highest forms of reverence. By Nancy McDonald Ladd in Reflections
Ghosts of Unitarian ChristmasFeatured online in another form: The ghosts of Unitarian Christmas It was Christmas Eve, a time when any sensible person stays safe in his house with a good book. But then Ben’s reading lamp burned out. By Doug Muder
Blue tree Painting brings balance into my life. By Mary Ellen Mogee in Reflections
Families: Weave a Tapestry of Faith (pdf)
UU child dedication on TV showFeatured online in another form: 'Army Wives' features UU child dedication ceremony TV episodes set in Charleston, S.C., Unitarian church. By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news
Sales of new UU Spanish hymnal halted ‘Serious errors’ found in new publication. By Jane Greer in UU news
UUA presidential campaign reviewedFeatured online in another form: Hallman outspent Morales on unsuccessful presidential bid Morales won 2009 UUA presidential election despite Hallman’s larger base of donors. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
Membership professionals form groupFeatured online in another form: UU membership professionals form own organization Group to help membership professionals grow Unitarian Universalism. By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news
Limpert named as a new UUA vice presidentFeatured online in another form: UUA staff restructuring adds new V.P. position Limpert named as vice president of Ministries and Congregational Support. By Jane Greer in UU news
OWL OUT brings sex ed outside the churchFeatured online in another form: Non-UU youth learn about sex through UU program D.C. community youth groups adopt UUA's lifespan sexual education curricula. By Donald E. Skinner in UU news
Knoxville shooting markedFeatured online in another form: Knoxville churches mark shooting anniversary Unitarian Universalist congregations reflect on first year after a deadly shooting rampage. By Jane Greer in UU news
UU seminaries affected by bad economyFeatured online in another form: UU seminaries feel economic pinch With devalued endowments, schools in Berkeley and Chicago implement cost-cutting measures. By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news
'Love Bus' heads to Des MoinesFeatured online in another form: Nine same-sex Minnesota UU couples marry in Iowa Unity Church-Unitarian sponsors 'Love Bus' to Des Moines UU Church. By Jane Greer in UU news
Congregational news roundup Jordan School alumni, junior philanthropists, church anniversaries, and more. By Jane Greer in UU news
Standing on the Side of Love campaign startsFeatured online in another form: UUA launches 'Standing on the Side of Love' campaign New website, resources to help congregations rally local communities on behalf of marginalized people. By Jane Greer in UU news
UU receives military chaplain of the year honorFeatured online in another form: UU wins Military Chaplain of the Year award Rev. Rebekah Montgomery also awarded bronze star. By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news
Waiting for a great novel about UU ministry Contemporary authors have yet to plumb the true depths of Unitarian Universalist ministers' lives. By Rosemary Bray McNatt in Bookshelf
Photographic tour of Wright's Unity Temple New book celebrates Frank Lloyd Wright's masterpiece for an Illinois Unitarian Universalist congregation. By Christopher L. Walton in Bookshelf
Forrest Church's Universalism For Church, 'E pluribus unum' was a civic ideal and a religious insight. By Christopher L. Walton in Bookshelf
Books by UU authors, Winter 2009 A selection of books written by Unitarian Universalists. By Sonja L. Cohen and Jane Greer and Eric Fershtman in Books by UU authors
Abortion, the religious left, and Christmas ghosts Questions for spiritual reflection and adult group discussions. By Jane Greer in What in the World?
Unitarians worked to 'save' Ute Indians In the 1870s, the American Unitarian Association oversaw a Ute reservation in Colorado. By Sonja L. Cohen in Looking back
Message or culture? Are Unitarian Universalists more committed to spreading liberal religion or to preserving our congregational culture? By Doug Muder