Winter 2011, Vol.XXV No.4

Features

Faith in our future
How can liberal religion speak and act transformatively in a rapidly changing society?
By Christopher L. Walton in Ideas

The empowerment tragedy
Four decades have passed since controversy over 'black empowerment' nearly tore the Unitarian Universalist Association apart. Even now, UUs remain unreconciled over what was for many a life-defining fight.
By Mark Morrison-Reed in Ideas

Departments

An impasse that haunts our work
Coming to terms with the 'black empowerment controversy,' four decades later.
By Christopher L. Walton in From the editor

Crossing borders
Our challenge is to learn to reach beyond the confines of our personal social and cultural experience.
By Peter Morales in From the president

A passion for environmental justice
For the Rev. Bob Murphy, environmentalism and ministry overlap like the shoreline and the sea.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in Life

How my testimony went viral
Values I learned from my two moms and UU church led me to testify before the Iowa House.
By Zach Wahls in Life

The best gift that money can't buy
What is the best non-commercial gift you’ve ever received, and why?
By Sonja L. Cohen in Life

Isipho binds Atlanta UUs to African village
'The impact of Isipho on us has been massive. Our whole family is different.'
By Michelle Bates Deakin in Life

A towering stronghold
Beverly, Illinois, Unitarian Universalists worship in a castle.
By Julia Angley in Spiritual landmarks

Winter solstice and the shaman within
It is we ourselves who must don the shaman's mask.
By Patricia Montley in Spirit

As the crow flies
I aspire to live as the crow flies.
By Elizabeth Tarbox in Spirit

Snowy bank
A rare storm offers a new scene.
By Robert Clements in Spirit

How to give a blessing
I didn't mean to give an honest answer when asked, 'How are you?'
By Kathleen McTigue in Spirit

The day after
The tree alone directing us / To peaceful paths / With its symbolic star.
By Ralph Blanchard in Spirit

Angel trumpets ablaze
Painting is a meditative state.
By Lola Juris in Spirit

Two poems
I watch the trees / as seasons cycle.
By Aytac Aydogan Edwards in Spirit

Quietude
We cannot hear unless there is silence.
By Tom Owen-Towle in Reflections

Families weave a tapestry of faith: The fowler and the quail

UUs arrested in Tar Sands Action
Featured online in another form:
15 UUs arrested during Tar Sands Action
Two-week protest draws Unitarian Universalists from across the country to highlight perils of pipeline and climate change.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Climate activist sentenced in Utah
Featured online in another form:
DeChristopher receives two-year prison sentence
UU climate-change activist tells court: ‘I will continue this fight.’
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Morales guilty in Phoenix protest
Featured online in another form:
UUA president convicted in civil disobedience case
The Rev. Peter Morales guilty of misdemeanor in Ariz. protest of SB 1070; calls for federal investigation of Phoenix sheriff.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Morales guilty in Phoenix protest
Featured online in another form:
UUA president sentenced to time served for protest
Morales calls his determination to fight Arizona immigration law stronger than ever.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Churches backing Uganda school
Featured online in another form:
U.S. churches unite to support Uganda school
Annual sponsorships seek to boost nutrition, sanitation, supplies, and teacher salaries at school started by Ugandan UU minister.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

UUs raise funds for Philippines
Featured online in another form:
UUs raise funds for Filipino church
An American minister, filmmaker, and swimmer pool their talents for the UU Church of the Philippines.
By Julia Angley in UU news

Iowa UU is 'Champion of Change'
Featured online in another form:
Iowa UU named rural 'Champion of Change'
White House honors professor and seminarian Linda Barnes, who spreads the word about the importance of food diversity.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Minister fasts for immigrants
Featured online in another form:
Georgia minister joins hunger strike
To protest immigration law, Unitarian Universalist minister Jeff Jones launches weeklong fast.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Brookline church goes Hollywood
Featured online in another form:
Massachusetts church goes Hollywood
First Parish in Brookline, Mass., to star in upcoming Adam Sandler film.
By Julia Angley in UU news

Alabama UUs join fight against immigration law
Featured online in another form:
Alabama UUs join fight against immigration law
Rallies, hearings, and trainings aim at dismantling far-reaching anti-immigrant measure.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Storms strike congregations
Featured online in another form:
Hurricane Irene damages Carolina congregations
New York, Pennsylvania churches suffer flooding, but Vermont congregations spared.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Storms strike congregations
Featured online in another form:
Tropical storm floods Pennsylvania congregation again
BuxMont UU Fellowship scurries to clean up extensive water damage before 50th anniversary celebration next week.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Activism, ministry inform Grubbs
Featured online in another form:
Meet a trustee: Clyde Grubbs
The Rev. Clyde Grubbs brings history of activism, ministry to UUA Board of Trustees.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

Law and Buddhism guide Cullen
Featured online in another form:
Meet a Trustee: Catherine Cullen
Legal training, Buddhism inform the Rev. Catherine Cullen’s work on UUA board.
By Michelle Bates Deakin in UU news

2012 Justice GA comes into focus
Featured online in another form:
Picture of GA 2012 coming into focus
Planning Committee releases a schedule; design team reveals snapshots of the Justice General Assembly.
By Donald E. Skinner in UU news

Knoxville UUs receive twin chalice
Featured online in another form:
Congregational news, Winter 2011
Brief congregational news items from the Winter 2011 issue.
By Michelle Bates Deakin and Julia Angley in UU news

Virginia church completes innovative energy project
Featured online in another form:
Sheltering the faith, Winter 2011
Brief news items about congregational building programs.
By Julia Angley in UU news

Forty years of UU sexuality education
Our congregations are recognized leaders in comprehensive sex ed, grounded in UU values.
By Sarah Gibb Millspaugh in Looking back

Ten years after 9/11, can UUs talk about evil?
Featured online in another form:
After 9/11, can Unitarian Universalists talk about evil?
Despite religious liberals' uneasiness with the word, we have something important to say about evil.
By Angela Herrera in Ideas

What size are Unitarian Universalist congregations?
Most congregations have fewer than 100 members, but most UUs belong to larger churches.
By Christopher L. Walton in Ideas

Letters, Winter 2011
Readers respond to the Fall 2011 issue.
in Letters

Blog roundup, Winter 2011
Online responses to UU World.
By Heather Christensen in Letters

Traffic report, Winter 2011
Top ten stories at uuworld.org.
By Christopher L. Walton in Letters

Welcoming change
Welcoming change means being open and adventuresome.
By Mark Morrison-Reed in The last word

Online Extras

Are you a wretch?
Not every religious tradition asks you to choose your theological stance midway through a hymn.
By Victoria Safford in Spirit