Fall 2012, Vol.XXVI No.3

Features

Obama's religious roots
Despite his childhood exposure to Unitarian Universalism, Barack Obama found his religious home elsewhere, just as too many of our young people do.
By Thandeka in Ideas

The taste of awakening
On having a spiritual practice.
By James Ishmael Ford in Spirit

'Hold up those lights'
The Unitarian Universalist Association gathers in Phoenix to challenge the treatment of immigrants.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in Ideas

'Road to a different future'
With singular focus, General Assembly is transformed.
By Donald E. Skinner in News

Departments

Introducing the ‘Inside’ pages
A new section pulls back the curtain on congregational leadership.
By Christopher L. Walton in From the editor

Learning to trust
To create deep and enduring relationships, our love must develop into mutual trust.
By Peter Morales in From the president

Souls bold enough to experiment
An attitudinal shift transformed All Souls New London.
By Meg Muckenhoupt in Life

Steps toward a nuclear-free world
How my congregation works for a nuclear-free future.
By Sally A. Breen in Life

A spiritual oasis
Safe haven in a desert landscape.
By Sonja L. Cohen in Spiritual landmarks

Zip code: 74114
All Souls Unitarian Church, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
By Christopher L. Walton in Zip code

Impressions of Justice General Assembly
UU World readers share their impressions of this year's General Assembly in Phoenix.
By Sonja L. Cohen in Life

A different church
They would embrace me in my full Amazon glory, or they could fry ice.
By Gail R. Geisenhainer in Spirit

Sitting and writing
'Small noticings' can lead to larger insights.
By Brenda Miller and Holly J. Hughes in Spirit

My heart bleeds for you III
Today's refuse, sewn together as 'a Garden of Eden.'
By Merill Comeau in Spirit

I too am beautiful
Look at the way you see me.
By Kristen L. Harper in Spirit

Faith and belief
Sometimes grabbing on to what appears most solid is exactly the wrong thing to do.
By Jackie Clement in Spirit

The stars are dancing
Do not sit alone in the dark.
By Om Prakash in Spirit

O Life that maketh all things new
A minister's sabbatical quilting project.
By Jory Agate in Spirit

Stitching it together
It would be easier to use a blanket, but we ask more of people who enter our churches: We ask them to be quilters.
By Jory Agate in Spirit

Families: Weave a Tapestry of Faith; Why Bat Has No Friends

Chicago UUs air weekly radio show
Featured online in another form:
Chicago UUs broadcast worship on progressive radio
‘Food for the Soul’ airs every Sunday evening, attracting thousands of listeners.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Church funds wells in South Sudan
Featured online in another form:
Dallas church raises $20K for wells in South Sudan
“Lost Boy” inspires congregation to give up drinks during Lent to provide water for villages.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Photos focus on lesbians in Deep South
Featured online in another form:
Photography exhibit focuses on lesbian life in Deep South
Photographs at Birmingham, Ala., civil rights museum include four UU families in show about inclusion and equality.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Florida UUs campaign for migrant workers
Featured online in another form:
Florida UUs campaign for impoverished migrant workers
Pickets and fasting raise awareness of agricultural workers’ low pay and dangerous conditions.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Meet a trustee: Young adult brings 'different mindset'
Featured online in another form:
Meet a Trustee: Natalia Averett
Young adult trustee completes year as congregation president and UUA board member.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Meet a trustee: Heartland trustee aims to connect UUs
Featured online in another form:
Meet a Trustee: David Jackoway
Heartland trustee seeks to connect UUs through technology and theology.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

‘Justice Camp’ brings service learning to tweens

Board OKs search for new Boston HQ
Featured online in another form:
Board OKs search for new Boston headquarters
At April meeting, UUA trustees also prepare for Justice GA, change MFC appointment process, and approve all monitoring reports.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Board hears 'fair share' giving report
Featured online in another form:
Board of Trustees hears report on ‘fair share’ giving
Changes to Annual Program Fund and district fees mulled.
By Christopher L. Walton in UU news

Congregational news
Brief congregational news items from the Fall 2012 issue.
By Donald E. Skinner and Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Sheltering the faith
Brief news items about congregational building programs.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Suburbs reach out downtown
Unitarians worship at 9 o'clock in the suburbs, 11 o'clock downtown.
By Donald E. Skinner in Inside

Ministering to the ministers
UUA, Retired Ministers and Partners Association aid retired ministers in financial distress.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in Inside

Seeing ourselves in 'The Hunger Games'
Dystopian novels have inspired Unitarian Universalists of all ages to think deeply about our society’s values.
By Cynthia Landrum in Ideas

Book to note: 'An Introduction to the Unitarian and Universalist Traditions'
From Servetus to Second Life.
By Sonja L. Cohen in Bookshelf

Who really said that?
Francis Dávid didn't say, 'We need not think alike to love alike.' Does it matter?
By Peter Hughes in Looking back

We should be more countercultural
UUs should experience tension between our religious values and those of the secular world.
By Ana Levy-Lyons in Ideas

UUA membership declines for fourth year
Over the past decade, 22 percent of congregations have shrunk by 20 percent or more.
By Christopher L. Walton in Life

Letters, Fall 2012
Readers respond to the Summer 2012 issue.
in Letters

Blog roundup, Fall 2012
Online responses to UU World.
By Heather Christensen in Letters

Traffic report, Fall 2012
Top ten stories at uuworld.org.
By Christopher L. Walton in Letters

Love will prevail
Love is not afraid; love is tough.
By Peter Morales in The last word

Online Extras

Audio recordings of selected essays

Guide to 2012 General Assembly coverage

It takes all kinds
General Assembly needs good social action, but in our diverse faith it needs other things, too.
By Doug Muder in Spirit

My friend Gregg has a shrine in the hallway
Where did I get this idea that the people in my shrine should be perfect?
By Meg Barnhouse in Spirit