Spring 2010, Vol.XXIV No.1

Features

Transforming the Jericho Road
The Jericho Road Project links Unitarian Universalist professionals with nonprofits in struggling cities, creating a new avenue for social justice.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in Life

Can Unitarian Universalism change?
Our tradition has always been responsive to the needs of its time, but are we ready to adapt to our increasingly multicultural society?
By Paul Rasor in Ideas

We must change
We must admit that Unitarian Universalism has a specific, sometimes alienating culture, and we must change it.
By Rosemary Bray McNatt in Ideas

Departments

What is 'UU culture'?
Does UU culture embody our deepest values? Or does it express narrow assumptions about who truly belongs?
By Christopher L. Walton in From the editor

The 'it' church
From the President: If we 'get religion' we will thrive. If we don't, we will decline.
By Peter Morales in From the president

Letters, Spring 2010
Readers respond to the Winter 2009 issue.
By Jane Greer in Letters

Mailbox, Spring 2010
Readers defend 'hanging out,' criticize heroes of the left.
By Jane Greer in Letters

Blog roundup, Spring 2010
Online responses to UU World.
By Kenneth Sutton in Letters

Traffic report, Spring 2010
Top ten stories at uuworld.org.
By Christopher L. Walton in Letters

Who owns your congregation?
A congregation's owner isn't its board, minister, or members; it is its mission.
By Dan Hotchkiss in Forum

Congregations benefit from camp experience
'Retreating and camping is a growth opportunity for Unitarian Universalism.'
By Donald E. Skinner in Congregational life

Gothic ornaments crown a S.C. Unitarian church
Historic landmark draws visitors, TV cameras.
By Jane Greer in Spiritual landmarks

Finding spirit in the sundown
The only way to prepare for facing Alzheimer's is to remain attentive to the present moment.
By Laura Randall in Reflections

Ostrich egg chalices
'Precious and delicate.'
By Linda Erzinger in Reflections

Creations: Pendant
Artist learned to make her own chalice pendant.
By Dara Schumaier in Reflections

Journey of the heart
The chalice and the labyrinth.
By Joyce Carey in Reflections

Chalice cable hand warmers
Knitter's work reminded her of the Unitarian Universalist flaming chalice.
By Alison Green Will in Reflections

The ways of the forest
Everything has a job in the forest.
By David Cohen in Reflections

Who are you?
Do not be afraid of self-examination.
By Stephen Perrault in Reflections

Families: Weave a Tapestry of Faith (pdf available)

Major changes proposed for GA
Featured online in another form:
Big changes proposed for UUA's General Assembly
Task force advocates fewer delegates, biennial schedule, and subsidies to boost congregational participation.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Schedule rearranged for 2010 GA
Featured online in another form:
2010 General Assembly will try new schedule
Plenaries will be held on the weekend, workshops on Thursday and Friday.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Film shares UU dads' adoption story
Featured online in another form:
UU dads adopt five at-risk children
New documentary focuses on the Rev. Greg Stewart, Stillman Stewart, and their five sons
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

UUSC raises funds for Haitian relief
Featured online in another form:
UUSC, UUA create Haitian relief fund
Unitarian Universalists respond to earthquake devastation.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Ten-year-old UU refuses to stand for Pledge
Featured online in another form:
Ten-year-old refuses to stand for Pledge of Allegiance
Boy who attends Arkansas UU church protests unequal treatment of GLBT people.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

UUA's insurance plan offers new benefits
Featured online in another form:
UUA health plan blends insurance with social justice
Plan now covers 745 employees of UU congregations and organizations; new benefits added each year.
By Jane Greer in UU news

CSW drafts new peacemaking statement
Featured online in another form:
UUA Commission drafts new statement on peacemaking
Congregations have until February 1 to approve new text for General Assembly’s consideration.
By Eric Fershtman in UU news

UU minister nominated for Grammy
Featured online in another form:
UU minister nominated for Grammy award
The Rev. Dan Schatz honored for tribute album to UU folksinger Utah Phillips.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Congregations observe climate action day
Featured online in another form:
UU congregations observe International Day of Climate Action
Unitarian Universalists insulate windows, plant flowers, organize carpools to reduce carbon footprint.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Gay marriage bill signed in church
Featured online in another form:
D.C. gay marriage law signed at Unitarian church
Interfaith clergy coalition mobilized to promote same-sex marriage in nation’s capital.
By Jane Greer in UU news

UUMA hires first executive director
Featured online in another form:
UU Ministers Association raises dues
Increased funds to be used for ministerial education and new executive director position.
By Donald E. Skinner

Transylvanian church gives big gift
Featured online in another form:
Transylvanian partner church gives surprise gift
Unitarians in Székelykeresztúr raise $10,500 for their partner church's capital campaign in Concord, Massachusetts.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Morales announces ministry review
Featured online in another form:
Morales plans comprehensive review of UU ministry
Trustees to focus on relationships with congregations; UUA’s investments rebound.
By Jane Greer in UU news

Meadville Lombard may sell campus
Featured online in another form:
Meadville Lombard to sell Chicago campus
Unitarian Universalist seminary to discuss possible partnership with Boston-area Andover Newton Theological Seminary.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Church's $600K gift to aid hungry
Brief congregational news items from the Spring 2010 issue.
By Jane Greer in UU news

Sitting, with a good Buddhist novel
Telling stories could be one of the most 'present' things we could do.
By Kimberly French in Bookshelf

Books by UU authors, Spring 2010
A selection of recent books by Unitarian Universalists.
By Eric Fershtman and Jane Greer in Books by UU authors

UU culture, identity, and congregations
Questions for spiritual reflection and adult group discussions.
By Jane Greer in What in the World?

Unitarian inspired popular nursery rhyme
In her childhood, Mary Elizabeth Sawyer Tyler had a little lamb.
By Sonja L. Cohen in Looking back

Online Extras

Spring 2010 audio recordings (zip file)

The last aria
There is a cricket playing the violin in my bathroom.
By Elizabeth Lerner Maclay

Peasant revolutionary
A paradoxical power is revealed in people the world despises, in people the world deems weak.
By Wendy Fitting

The DIY spiritual practice
A spiritual practice my wife and I cobbled together, the Unitarian Universalist way.
By Doug Muder

Who says Unitarian Universalism's Principles are easy?
The UU Principles are demanding enough to make me whine.
By Meg Barnhouse

The church is people
It is not a body of belief, a set of principles, or an impressive structure of stone, wood, and glass.
By Janet H. Bowering

Merry Christmas, Garrison Keillor!
One of the great things about Unitarian Universalism is that, just as we don't all pray from the same prayer book, we don't all sing from the same hymnal.
By Fred Small

Mary Daly changed my life
I am not sorry that I used to be ‘one of those angry women.’
By Meg Barnhouse