Sunday, 05 February 2012, 01:37 am PST
Unitarian Universalism: The Institution of Spiritual Freedom
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Featured Ministers
Saturdao 11
Dao De Jing, verse 6 16 translations 1. James Legge (1891): The valley spirit dies not, aye the same; The female mystery thus do we name. Its gate, from which at first they issued forth, Is ca... [read more]
Lake Chalice
Life of Work, Part 5A
On April 22, 1999, the phone rang in my Denver home. I had been expecting the call---Margaret Beard, Extension Director at the UUA, was phoning me to let me know that the congregation I'd been ho... [read more]
Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show
Update
Sandy Dog started a fancy designer drug for dogs in heart failure. The first 2 days on the drug her condition was unchanged. Her resting respiratory rate was twice what it should be, and she ... [read more]
Carrots and Ginger
Another spin out into the fens
As Britain enters a proper cold spell, today turned out to be a perfect winter day for a ride - sunny, dry, fairly still and refreshingly cold. So I thought I'd take the Guv'nor out on the 31 mil... [read more]
Caute
six-word teaching descriptions
We owe a great deal to our teachers. Students First is holding a contest, to describe excellent teaching in just six words. The finalists are below; you can vote for your favorites online. Encourag... [read more]
the yes church
Out of the Wilderness
I believe that 1968-2008 was a 40 year wilderness period for Unitarian Universalism, a long period in which cultural, religious and political conservatism were aggressive and dominant. What happene... [read more]
thelivelytradition
Of Meetings and Meaning, part 3
And so the question -- did the "experiment" work? I think that there are several ways of answering this. I've heard many people say that they really appreciated the way the m... [read more]
A Minister’s Musings
What's a Unitarian Universalists
1. Technically, a Unitarian Universalist is a person who is a formal member of a UU congregation. 2. Popularly, a Unitarian Universalist is anybody who calls themselves a UU, whether or not they be... [read more]
iMinister
Christianity Without the Crucifix
Growing up Unitarian Universalist, I didn’t spend much time looking at images of Jesus since we don’t use or display crucifixes or crosses (mostly) in our worship spaces. I saw them ... [read more]
timesunion.com
Funeral Break
I am working on a funeral for a dignified English-American woman for tomorrow. I think I will have to wear eye shadow, and stockings, and something will have to happen with this unruly hair. I... [read more]
Auspicious Jots
Underwater Cathedral
Although I come from a long line of beachy people, I am not a beachy person myself. I burn too easily to worship the sun. Instead, I wear broad-brimmed hats and scurry to the shady spots along the ... [read more]
The Reverend Dr.
The Center of a Liberal Faith Movement
What it means to be a Unitarian Universalist has been on my heart this last week. Not surprisingly, considering that many UU’s are currently thinking about similar things in reaction to the re... [read more]
Celestial Lands
Freely Following Jesus, a sermon preached in Austin, TX Wildflower Church
Freely Following Jesus Wildflower Church Austin TX Jan. 22, 2012 The reading from Mark 1:14-20…a part of the weekly lectionary, a way churches of different traditionsall read and comment on the s... [read more]
Planting God Communities
Union Busting And UU Values
Wednesday, January 25th, 2012 will someday be remembered, either as the day the citizens of Indiana received their wake-up call, or the day on which the decline of worker pay and workplace safety b... [read more]
Just Wondering
Practice Makes IMperfect.... Week 15-ish of sabbatical
Well, I am counting down the weeks LEFT in my sabbatical now. Not altogether with trepidation, because I am actually feeling energized and ready to get back to work. I love almost everything about ... [read more]
A Jersey Girl In Kentucky
Practice Makes IMperfect.... Week 15-ish of sabbatical
Well, I am counting down the weeks LEFT in my sabbatical now. Not altogether with trepidation, because I am actually feeling energized and ready to get back to work. I love almost everything about ... [read more]
A Jersey Girl in Kentucky
Thoughts on "Congregations and Beyond"
The UUA President, the Rev. Peter Morales published a working paper titled "Congregations and Beyond" last week. It's available in its entirety here. In it he says, ... [read more]
Rev. Cyn
Key West: A PeaceBang Review
I have spent the past five days vacationing in Key West and I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up. Peace Bang’s Top 6 Reasons To Vacation in Key West, Florida: 1. Although it has a reputation a... [read more]
PeaceBang
The More Things Change…
I am currently reading W. E. B. Dubois classic "The Black Reconstruction in America. " In a section describing the treatment of the African Americans in Louisiana shortly after the Civil... [read more]
The Latest Form of Infidelity
wrapped in a blue cloud cloth
Langston Hughes writes. .. "Bring me all of your dreams, You dreamers, Bring me all of your heart melodies, That I may wrap them in a blue cloud cloth Away from the too rough fingers of the ... [read more]
help create peace now...
The empowerment tragedy
IDEAS: Unitarian Universalists remain unreconciled four decades after controversy over 'black empowerment' nearly tore the UUA apart. [read more]
Ideas from UU World
Of the 1%, By the 1%, For the 1%: Economic Justice in America
Reading before the sermon is available here. ** “What can we say,” asks economist and Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, “about the [Occupy Wall Street] protests? First things first: The protesters... [read more]
Thousand Voices
Odds & Ends
Sex and the Seminary: The Sequel
Today, I am proud to report that the landscape at U. S. seminaries, divinity and rabbinical schools is shifting towards increased sexuality education. The Religious Institute announced this mornin... [read more]
Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
See all blogs entries from Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?
Update on Syd's kittehs
The news is not what we'd all hoped to hear. Syd paid a visit to the shelter yesterday; she drops in every other day or so to play with the kitties she'd had to give up. I'll let her tell the... [read more]
Educated & Poor
Congregations and Beyond
Friends have asked me my thoughts on Peter Morales’ whitepaper and after finding out that I’m going to Orlando to brainstorm about it with others, have generously shared their thoughts with me.... [read more]
The Journey
What's Your Real Religion?
Take the Test
UU News
Texas RFRA Claims Survive In Plano School "Candy Cane" Litigation
Yet another decision has been handed down in the 7-year litigation over Plano, Texas Independent School District rules that, among other things, prevented a student from handing out candy canes wit... [read more]
Religion Clause
UU scholar gets MSNBC show, and other UUs in the media
UU scholar gets MSNBC show Melissa Harris-Perry, a UU scholar who gave the Ware Lecture in Salt Lake City in 2009, was recently named the host of a two-hour weekend show on MSNBC. The new show, “... [read more]
UU’s In the Media
‘Congregations and Beyond,’ Black History Month, and more UU blogging
Responding to ‘Congregations and Beyond’ UU social media continues to buzz this week with reactions to UUA President Peter Morales’ vision statement, “Congregations and Beyond. ” ... [read more]
the interdependent web
Playbook for Progressives: Read 12 Chapters Free on Facebook
On Facebook, Beacon Press is giving away 12 chapters of Playbook for Progressive, an organizing manifesto for the twenty-first century. [read more]
Beacon Broadside
UUA Offers New Immigration Curriculum for Children's Religious Education
<p>The UUA's Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group has announced publication of a new curriculum titled "With Justice and Compassion: Immigration Sessions for Children’... [read more]
Unitarian Universalist Association: Top Stories
See all news results from Unitarian Universalist Association: Top Stories
Featured Podcasts
By What Authority?, Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs, January 29, 2012
Unity Church-Unitarian of Saint Paul, MN
See all podcast episodes from Unity Church-Unitarian of Saint Paul, MN
The Spirituality of needlework by the Davies Stitch and Bitch Group, Camp Springs, MD
The Spirituality of Needlework with the Stitch and Bitch Group (led by Sandy Greenberg and Lynne Godfrey) will address how creative activities can enhance your spiritual life, encourage a med... [listen to the episode]
DMUUC Message
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service: A Child’s Christmas in Wales
Candlelight Christmas Eve Service: A Child’s Christmas in Wales -- Sermon delivered by Rev. Dr. Stephen H. Furrer December 24, 2011 at 4:45 pm [listen to the episode]
First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco Podcast
See all podcast episodes from First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco Podcast
Dark of Winter
The dark of winter surrounds us. The sun appears for only nine hours a day. We are held in the womb of the night. Dark, starry skies embrace us in the infinite Darkness invites us to come ... [listen to the episode]
UU Church of Berkeley
"Now is the Time: Stewardship Sunday" - April 10, 2011
Come celebrate the gift of our beloved community as we reflect on what this moment in our congregational history calls us to do. We'll also have a child dedication at this service. [listen to the episode]
Bull Run Unitarian Universalists
See all podcast episodes from Bull Run Unitarian Universalists
Featured Blog Posts
dead saguaros, an Adelita, and some Arizona landscapes
I rarely take a comera on my walks. I remember Fred Haskell, a fine photographer, once saying that he could be at an event or he could record it, and when I walk, I either want to be present or hal... [read more]
it’s all one thing
Human Assumption and Spiritual Gifts
Written for my Meeting. Hello Friends,Ought to, need to, should, must. These are the basic building blocks that, one by one, form routine assumptions. On a daily basis, I admit that I regularly mak... [read more]
Comrade Kevin’s Chrestomathy
When Journalists are “Embedded” in Pagan Religions
NPR correspondent Eric Weiner is the latest in a long line of journalists to temporarily embed themselves within a Pagan practice in order to explore our religions first hand. In Weiner’s... [read more]
The Wild Hunt
Soul searching, again
More short-form blogging. Wondering out loud what to make of the UUA staff and growth advocates meeting this week. Deeply suspicious that there’ll be any positive development. Not that there ... [read more]
Boy in the Bands
Chicago's CBS News on Miles Austrevich
Chicago TV on my step brother's kid who's facing a really tough go of it. [read more]
Pfarrer Streccius
Apple, Textbooks and the Education-Industrial Complex
Apple has certainly come a long way as the corporate insurgent (capturing the imagination of my kids and many of their peers) challenging and now outperforming “the man” Microsoft of the comput... [read more]
Lefty Parent- Living and Parenting Without The Rule Book
See all blog entries from Lefty Parent- Living and Parenting Without The Rule Book
Can we as a religious movement ever have a mission statement?
I agree it’s essential that there be some kind of unifying mission behind Unitarian Universalism (covers ears due to the screams from pure politists. ) But I started thinking during today... [read more]
Spirituality and Sunflowers
Black History Month and Where I Live
In one of my classes we were discussing segregation, especially within schools and the incredibly inequality of education. We heard a clip from the agitator Jonathon Kozol. If you are a social wo... [read more]
Everyday Unitarian
The Emperor Has No Clothes…or Yet Another View On “Congregations and Beyond”
Maybe it’s because I’m exploring my options with the Disciples of Christ. Maybe it’s because this reads as four pages of words signifying nothing. Maybe it’s because, as u... [read more]
east of midnight
Join the Losers: Shame, Pride, and the 99%
a talk given January 29, 2012 at First Parish in Billerica, MA[earlier versions were presented at the Unitarian Church of Quincy, IL and First Parish Unitarian in Athol, MA]Opening Words:"If... [read more]
Free and Responsible Search
women are now everywhere...
I preached a sermon a couple of weeks ago comparing football coach and commentator Jimmy Johnson, Henry David Thoreau, and Jane Austen, a central part of which was my changing view of the latter. J... [read more]
Boston Unitarian
What's In "Justice GA" For Me?
In an article at uuworld. org that came out today, it was written:"This GA, termed a "Justice GA," will be almost entirely focused on social justice issues related to immigrati... [read more]
It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere
Key West: A PeaceBang Review
I have spent the past five days vacationing in Key West and I give it an enthusiastic thumbs up. Peace Bang’s Top 6 Reasons To Vacation in Key West, Florida: 1. Although it has a reputation a... [read more]
The manic mind of the minister
Back to School Simply?
I left full-time academics in 1999. It took a year of exploring the idea before I handed in my resignation, and another year and a half before I finally left. Academic institutions have a year-lon... [read more]
Wandering Monk, Reluctant Gyrovague
See all blog entries from Wandering Monk, Reluctant Gyrovague
Allreds of White Springs, Florida -
Excepert from Rev. Q. H. Shinn's coloumn "Personal Expericnces In Making Universalists" that appeared in the March 6, 1906 issue of ONWARD"Now I'm going to tell about a Flor... [read more]
SC Universalist
Webcomic Tribute to Christopher Hitchens (continued)
Cyanide & Happiness @ Explosm. net [read more]
Liberal Faith Development
Occupy Unitarian Universalism
The Unitarian Society of Northampton and Florence has extended an invitation to members of their local Occupy movement to camp at their church. The initial expected numbers are about 12-15 peopl... [read more]
Transient and Permanent
Captive Samhain
I apologise to those readers I still have for neglecting my blog, but I've been in prison the last few months. Several prisons, in fact, including the Womans prison. .. as a member of the Indianap... [read more]
Cuumbaya
On How We Treat Our Children
We don’t discipline our son. We don’t spank him. No time outs. No punishments of any kind. We’ve never raised our voice to him. We have never mocked him. We speak to him lovingly, sometimes f... [read more]
Elizabeth’s Little Blog
Loved into being
It’s a golden fall day here–the leaves have started to turn and the sun is shining brightly so it seems as if Midas has kissed the world. I’m still inside, looking out–but w... [read more]