Today, Jews worldwide, including Jewish Unitarian Universalists, celebrate Rosh Hashanah. As we gather for these celebrations, we wish you a time filled with meaningful moments, love, and care for one another.



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Last summer, East Shore UU Church in Kirtland, Ohio like many other congregations had just been through a very difficult year. Along with the continued challenges of the pandemic, they had to say goodbye to their developmental minister. The search for a new minister ended in disappointment, with no viable candidates available. Ministers in the greater Clevland area offered to help. Through patience and perseverance, these ministers came through for the East Shore UU Church in Kirtland. During their time they compiled a project post-mortem.

Learn how these ministers relied on staff and leaders to support one another during a time of shortage. Read the full story:https://bit.ly/3Rc4LUG



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#BisexualityDay seeks to accelerate the acceptance of the Bi community and overcome the erasure of bisexual individuals worldwide. UUs welcome and celebrate you and members of the bisexual community. Your identity is valid.🤍



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This #ThoughtfulThursday we are introducing a new series featuring our President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray called #SFGLeads.

We share this message of hope during another time of uncertainty. Faithful action is what this moment asks of us. We remain grateful for the leadership of UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.



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Two years later, we still mourn the loss of the amazing Unitarian Universalist leader Elandria Williams. It brings us some comfort to know that E’s memory and legacy lives on through all of the lives E touched.”

https://bit.ly/3EKGVdY


Elandria Williams was a dear friend and incomparable leader of our faith.

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Houses of worship on Martha's Vineyard have long worked together to meet the needs of their neighbors. Faith leaders were ready to spring into action when refugees arrived unexpectedly after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis pulled an inhumane and cruel political stunt.

The Rev. Janet Newton, a minister at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Martha’s Vineyard, said, "The vineyard is often seen as a playground for the rich and powerful, and that shapes how outsiders see the Vineyard."

During the off-season in the vineyard, people struggle. In the geographically isolated community, year-round residents have learned to care for each other through community and hospitality.

Kudos to all of the community leaders - on Martha’s Vineyard who welcomed these strangers with love, care, and dignity.

https://bit.ly/3DDzyGV


(RNS) — Houses of worship on Martha's Vineyard have long worked together to meet the needs of their neighbors. So they were ready to spring into action when refugees arrived unexpectedly.

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We urge the Biden Administration to honor its commitment to end Title 42. We must build a just and humane immigration system in this country that honors the inherent worth and dignity of every person.

https://bit.ly/3fblavz


It was reported that the Biden administration has proposed to expand asylum-blocking Title 42 expulsions to Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans.

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In honor of National Voter Registration Day, we share with you this message from GA 2022. JaZahn Hicks, Campaign Manager at UU the Vote, reminding us why we need to be organized and engaged to participate in the critical elections happening across our country.

For more than 150 years, Unitarians and Universalists have been involved in the struggle to deliver the right to vote to more Americans. We all have a role to play in building a truly just, multi-racial democracy.

https://bit.ly/3eSikv1


This is "Faith On Fire For Democracy" by Unitarian Universalist Assoc. on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

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Come be in community on September 30th, and join the urgent call to build and exercise our collective power during a #DayWithoutUs national teach-in.

A day of disruption, learning, activation, and community building. The current conditions of the US require that we all exercise our power in both new and familiar ways. On Friday, September 30th, #DayWithoutUs is encouraging everyone to remove themselves from their daily routines and join a mass teach-in to understand how the fight for reproductive justice is a fight for all of our freedoms.

The UUA is proud national partner of Day Without Us. Join us for this free event - register now. Learn how you can plug into the fight from wherever you are: https://bit.ly/3TL4ScA



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Tonight at 6:30pm ET, join #UUTheVote and New Georgia Project for a virtual and in-person voter education and mobilization event. Come help us call voters in Georgia!

Sign up at: https://bit.ly/3Sh3e0I



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One of the most powerful lies of white supremacy, capitalism, and colonialism is the notion that repressive and racist policing systems make us safer. In "Defund Fear: Safety Without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment," Zach Norris shifts the conversation about public safety away from fear and punishment toward support systems for our families and communities.

Our UU theology calls us to work for the liberation of all people - none of us are truly free until we are all free. We encourage you to read and reflect on "Defund Fear."

https://bit.ly/3xvgqXX


Defund Fear by Zach Norris

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On this Thursday, we offer you a message from Worship Web by Glen Thomas Rideout.

"We show our children now the truths of yesterday and the possibility of tomorrow. It's this deeper connection with the greater living story that brings a chance of wellness and repair for all life."

https://bit.ly/3dswOkS



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The Congregational Life Leadership Team met to strategize on the Regional Staff's work to fulfill the UUA’s mission of supporting congregations. This team quickly realized that there are two major challenges facing Unitarian Universalist congregations as we enter a new year - and you can read more about those challenges in the link below.

The good news for congregations is that you are not alone. Your Regional Staff and sibling congregations across the UUA are ready to get to work. There isn’t anything we can’t do when we do it together.

Get more support for your congregation at: https://bit.ly/3qr9gjn



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This week starts National Hispanic Heritage Month. This year's theme is "Unidos: Inclusivity for a Stronger Nation." September 15th through October 15th is a time to celebrate history, culture, traditions, and achievements while remaining committed to protecting and promoting the rights of people from Spanish-speaking and/or Latin American cultures.

As we celebrate the Hispanic and Latino/Latina/Latinx community, Unitarian Universalists lift up their hope and power, and we carry the light of their inspiration forward.

PC:nationalcouncilhepm



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We have a number of new job openings here at the UUA, including:
Congregational Life Field Staff
Congregation Life Event Coordinator
LGBTQ Ministries and Clara Barton Gender Justice Fellow
Children and Families Faith Development Specialist
Reproductive Justice Organizing Intern

Learn more about these exciting opportunities and join us in this transformational work.
https://bit.ly/2rLDAqh


The UUA is a great place to work—where your job is in alignment with your values. We are an historic, inclusive, and progressive religious denomination.

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As Kansas activists celebrate their hard-earned victory, their counterparts in Kentucky are just ramping up for a nearly identical showdown in November 2022.

“We need the right conversations and deeper conversations with more personal connections,” said UU activist Ashanti (Ash) Spears. At the same time, Rus Funk, Justice Center Coordinator for the Kentucky Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Network, says there is "a real hunger for faith-based voices in support of reproductive rights."

While the strategies of Kansas and Kentucky organizers vary, their success is equally dependent on the same core elements: the hard work and support of millions of people who hold no formal power.

Read the full story on the prevail in Kentucky in UU World: https://bit.ly/3BjmBPV


Kansas organizers succeed through inclusive leadership and seeking dialogue with potential opponents.

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Show your UU the Vote Spirit at the Week of Action Homecoming-themed Rally! Join
UU the Vote and Michigan UU Social Justice for a virtual rally to celebrate the progress they have made and to prepare for the hard work still to come.

Join all week to put your values to the front and reach voters in Michigan through phone, text, and trend banking! Learn how you can participate in this nonpartisan civic engagement initiative: https://bit.ly/3U37WAV


Primary election season is just about over. This has been an unprecedented election season, with wins and losses that have been, oftentimes, difficult to sum up. From New York to Kansas to Alaska…

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Last fall, in addition to navigating the general crisis-laden state of the world, ABC premiered Quinta Brunson's television show Abbott Elementary. The show is set in Philadelphia, offering a window into the low-resourced school settings Black children often find themselves in.

Schools in the greater Philadelphia area are among the most segregated in the country, and they are also heavily policed. Instead of giving cops a role in the show's storyline, Brunson includes abolitionist-aligned themes, like offering care, grace, and protection to the most marginalized members of a community; relying on the community to improve and increase the school’s material resources; and keeping school resource officers and cops out of the narrative entirely.

Abbott Elementary invites us into a world that's possibility-laden and imaginative. The show asks you: What does it actually feel like to be a Black student? What should it feel like? One of the many central challenges of abolitionist organizing is simultaneously grappling with how to move through an anti-Black world designed to oppress Black peoples globally while imagining, organizing, and building a new world that ushers in Black liberation.

Patience, grace, humanity, and care are shown throughout Abbott Elementary– a model of deep understanding from which we can all learn. As Unitarian Universalists, we are committed to the Principles that move us to work together to transform racist structures and uproot policing systems.

https://bit.ly/3QH1TPm


Without cops or school resource officers roaming the hallway, Abbott Elementary invites us into a world that’s possibility-laden, imaginative, and abolitionist.

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Banning books in the classroom is the start of the erasure of history and stops the progress that allows our children the opportunity to learn in accepting and nurturing classrooms.

The banning of books removes the possibility of conversation. Banning titles and aggressively policing books for inappropriate content can limit students’ exposure to great literature – and prevents students from learning both about injustice and oppression and the ways we can overcome them.

As Unitarian Universalists, we support the freedom to read, we champion free expression, and we believe in intellectual freedom. Celebrate free speech by exercising your constitutional right to read.

https://n.pr/3qoFRXf


Summer Boismier resigned from Norman High School after a student's parent complained. Now, Oklahoma's secretary of education wants to revoke her teaching certificate.

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There are a wide variety of offerings to help congregations welcome in-person visitors and share the life-saving message of Unitarian Universalism online. The inSpirit UU Book and Gift Shop is an essential resource at the beginning of the church year and beyond. Browse their colorful, relatable, and informative line of products specifically for congregations and get your members off to a great start in their search for truth and meaning.

https://bit.ly/3d1If36



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Today marks World Suicide Prevention Day. We honor those continuing their journey to support their own mental health and we remember those we have lost.

If you or anyone you know needs help, please use, or share the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline specific resources: https://bit.ly/3ce6lXh


We can all help prevent suicide. The Lifeline provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals in the United States.

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Get your copy of the first publication from Black Lives of UU!

Forged at the intersection of faith and justice, "BLUU Notes: An Anthology of Love, Justice" edited by Takiyah Nur Amin and Mykal Slack is now available at http://bit.ly/3ol29sE



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School closures and disruptions caused by the pandemic have driven learning losses and drop-outs, especially in vulnerable populations.

Through the celebration of International Literacy Day, we all have an opportunity to re-think the role of literacy. This day sheds light on eradicating poverty and attaining gender equality. It reminds us of the joys of reading and is the perfect excuse to unplug and get lost in a good book.

Looking for a good read to enjoy this #LiteracyDay? Pick up book from our inSpirit UU Book & Gift Shop: https://bit.ly/3ME46t1



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We're excited to announce that #UUtheVote will focus on 12 states for the 2022 election cycle: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Hampshire, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin.

UU the Vote campaign manager, JaZahn Hicks explains, “We selected these 12 states because we know that UU congregations and individuals can make a tremendous difference in democratic engagement in these states this year.”

Get details about what’s at stake in some of these states in our news release:
https://bit.ly/3TPPknN

And stay with us on socials to track new stories and developments in the lead-up to #ElectionDay.


Across the country, a number of ballot initiatives will have long-term implications for reproductive justice, voting rights, direct democracy, and more.

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Tragedy calls and challenges us as people of faith. How can we make our children feel safe when we ourselves are deeply shaken? We simply do the best we can. We take small steps.

Get more support for multigenerational conversations in difficult times at https://bit.ly/3KTJYUs.



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Our hearts break open further with the news of yet more senseless violence in #Saskatchewan over the weekend. We hold the Indigenous communities and the families and loved ones of all those impacted in love and light, and in our prayers.

We share this excerpt from "Meditation on Hope and Love in a Time of Struggle," by Alice Anacheka-Nasemann as a small source of comfort for us all:

"...[T]his morning, let us simply breathe together as we hold our hearts open.
Breathing in as our hearts fill with compassion
Breathing out as we pray for healing in our world & in our lives.
Breathing in, opening ourselves to the transforming power of love
Breathing out as we pray for peace in our world & in our lives.
Breathing in as we hold hope in our hearts
Breathing out as we pray for justice in our world & in our lives.
May we know our strength
May we be filled with courage
May our love flow from us into this world."

Read the full meditation on #WorshipWeb: https://bit.ly/3BfeWDm


In a world so filled with brokenness and sorrow It would be easy to lose ourselves in never ending grief, To be choked by our outrage To be paralyzed by...

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JeKaren Olaoya

,

Erika A. Hewitt

Continue reading "Deepening Diversity in Worship"

The UUA is proud to be a national partner in Day Without Us, an inclusive event developed by Black women-led reproductive justice organizers who understand we need to abandon borders, boundaries, and binaries to build solidarity across the country.

The #DayWithoutUs National Teach-in is a day of disruption, learning, activation, and community building. The current conditions of the US require that we all exercise our power in both new and familiar ways. Our bodies fuel and drive these systems that keep this country running. On Friday, September 30th, #DayWithoutUs is encouraging everyone to remove themselves from their daily routines and join a mass teach-in to understand how the fight for reproductive justice is a fight for all of our freedoms.

Learn how you can plug into the fight from where you are: https://daywithoutus.com/


LeslieLeslie Mac is a Brooklyn-born & raised Organizer, seasoned Digital Strategist & Communications expert. Via…Read More

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Labor Day gives us another opportunity as a faith community to unequivocally side with the inspiring labor resurgence happening in workplaces across the country. As Unitarian Universalists, we have long believed that challenging inequity locally and globally for workers is a moral imperative.

This Labor Day, join in solidarity with people fighting for living wages, healthcare, and a more fair economy. Learn about the injustices that impact BIPOC individuals, low wage workers across sectors, and across gender and sexual orientations and encourage conversation around practical solutions.

And to all who believe in justice and democracy in our government, our communities and in our workplaces, we join you in solidarity.

https://bit.ly/3BgEr7e


As people of faith and conscience we rejoice in recent historic wins for workers.

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We echo Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray's message: Covenants are life-affirming and life-saving, because the truth is, we need each other.



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We're proud to share this review of "Swinging on the Garden Gate" by Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew, published by our publisher Skinner House.

Bri Rooke writes in U.S. Catholic magazine about her experience in reading the book: "But mostly I wanted to cry because this book soothed something inside of me. It felt holy—as though the author had held out a piece of her heart and said, 'Here, this is for you.'"

Read more and get your copy today. https://bit.ly/3wNnPkI


Elizabeth Jarrett Andrew's 'Swinging on the Garden Gate' bridges a literary gap.

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The new 2022-2023 worship calendar has become available! With monthly worship themes used in four popular theme-based ministry programs, the calendar helps congregations create multigenerational connections as people of all ages explore common themes and extend faith development beyond Sunday morning.

https://bit.ly/3CPK8u1


Faith-based and secular holidays that UU congregations often celebrate, including monthly worship themes.

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The pandemic changed many facets of congregational life, including attendance. In the past two and half years, congregations have learned new dance steps to accommodate COVID-19. This fall will your congregation be ready to welcome visitors and former members?

Reverend Ken Sloane reminds us of the importance of connection. Any time someone enters online or in-person congregational space, there are several opportunities for multiple connection points from which a long-term relationship can continue and grow. Here are some examples:

Learn more here:https://bit.ly/3D21aW7









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UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray reminds us "We are living in what I have come to call a liminal time – a time in between. The pandemic has upended so much. After two years of virtual and hybrid gatherings, the ways in which people connect to religious community have broadened and new patterns are developing. On so many levels, what comes next is still being imagined.

As we come together for Ingathering this year, may we each remember the hundreds of thousands of UUs gathered all across our Association celebrating and calling themselves back into the power and possibility of our faithful communities. For we are not alone – and we make each other strong."

Please watch and share this video message
https://bit.ly/3wvipuJ


UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray offers a new message of hope, healing and welcome for Ingathering in the 2022 congregational year. Please download an...

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Betty Reid Soskin, a Unitarian Universalist, community activist and the oldest park ranger, has retired — but at 101, she’s keeping the conversation going virtually.

Betty Reid Soskin shares her civil rights work with Hour Detroit Magazine. We’re grateful for UU women like Betty! We are thankful for all people who have had an undeniable impact on our history and who change our world for the better.

https://bit.ly/3R3YNWS


Betty Reid Soskin, the oldest park ranger, has retired at 101 years old, but she’s keeping the conversation going virtually.

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The UUA is proud to be a national partner in #DayWithoutUs, a national day of action led by Black women and an invitation for all of us to abandon borders, boundaries, and binaries to build solidarity across the country.

Join tonight at 7:00 pm ET/4:00 pm PT for a special information session about the upcoming #DayWithoutUs National Teach-In on September 30th. Learn more about and how you can answer the urgent call to build and exercise our collective power.

@Day Without Us
https://bit.ly/3TujMDA



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Jan Gartner

,

Sean Griffin

Continue reading "Rethinking UUA Salary Recommendations: Improving Practicality, Advancing Equity, Leading with Integrity"

As Ukraine marked the 31st anniversary of their independence earlier this week, we continue to hold the people and families struggling to survive in this besieged country in our hearts and our prayers.

Read about Ukrainian resilience and creativity in resisting Russia’s invasion in this hopeful story by Waging Nonviolence: https://bit.ly/3AokXMs


With little more than the drive to help and an internet connection, some Ukrainians are finding creative ways to resist Russia’s invasion and fight for their future.

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Today is a time to reflect on Women’s Equality Day commemorating the 19th amendment granting women the right to vote. A day to honor and celebrate the cultural and political accomplishments of women. It marks a moment for the beginning of gender equality.

The UUA is proud of our Unitarian Universalist legacy of fighting for democracy and voting rights.



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In her #Ingathering video message for the 2022 Unitarian Universalist congregational new year, UUA Pres Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray offers us much love and deep care.

She reminds us that our world needs our message of love and justice.

Please share this video in your congregational or community multi-platform worship and other gatherings this fall.

https://bit.ly/3wvipuJ


UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray offers a new message of hope, healing and welcome for Ingathering in the 2022 congregational year. Please download an...

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"Kindness isn’t always easy. But kindness matters." On this #ThoughtfulThursday we offer you this UU World article by Kimberley Debus, "Kindness over niceness".

https://bit.ly/3dYcWpF



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We are holding Randal Worcester and his family in our hearts. Policing in this country remains deeply broken. We need a different system of public safety—one that recognizes the humanity of all people at its foundation. Unitarian Universalist’s Principles move us to work together to build the anti-oppressive world we imagine where everyone can be safe and everyone can thrive.

#BlackLivesMatter



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President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray was interviewed for the Weekly Witness Podcast earlier last week. Tune in as she discusses the focus of the UUA’s work protecting trans youth and reproductive justice. Enjoy some of her inspiring pastoral and prophetic words.

https://bit.ly/3CtUGio


This week we begin our series on the Texas Impact Legislative priorities in earnest. For the remainder of this series, we plan to welcome a faith leader to h...

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We echo President Susan Frederick-Gray's message. "In times of change, loss and uncertainty, there is a risk that fear will dominate. But let us remember: We are a religious people – a people of hope and imagination! "


We are in the churn of change. Systems and practices we’ve relied on are breaking down and shifting, while what is needed is being imagined but not yet here.

In times of change, loss and uncertainty, there is a risk that fear will dominate. But let us remember: We are a religious people – a people of hope and imagination!

There is some powerful magic in our tradition – rooted in love, committed to prophetic ministry, and which welcomes the future, not with fear, but as the breaking of a new day.

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As some of us prepare to go back to school or prepare for our children to head back to school we offer some tips to help you through the new school year.

How do you support your children or students in your life as they make this annual shift?







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We have a number of new job openings here at the UUA, including:

Children and Families Faith Development Specialist
Events and Communications Coordinator
LGBTQ and Gender Justice Programs Coordinator
Reproductive Justice Organizing Intern

Learn more about these exciting opportunities and join us in this transformational work.
https://bit.ly/2rLDAqh


The UUA is a great place to work—where your job is in alignment with your values. We are an historic, inclusive, and progressive religious denomination.

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On this #ThoughtfulThursday, we offer you a message from Worship Web by Heather Rion Starr.

"help restore us —
our connections to one another;
our sense of hope, beauty, and fun in this world;
our deep knowing that we have to take care of ourselves and each other
with love and joy if we are to soulfully survive the world's mayhem."

https://bit.ly/3wd4TMf

photocredit: @zeaink



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Join Side with Love tonight, August 17 at 8ET /5PT / 6MT / 7CT / for their monthly Green Sanctuary Team Meeting: Healthy Plate, Healthy Planet, led by Karen Palmer from the UU Society of Oneonta!

Sign up: https://bit.ly/3dzJ5Ur



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Equal rights advocacy does not always have to be on a grand scale. As Unitarian Universalists, we are committed to welcoming, embracing, integrating, and supporting people with disabilities and their families in our communities. How can you be sure to show up to be a better ally to the disabled community?

We share this message from Crutches and Spice by Imani Barbarin as we all consider ways to be better allies to people living with disabilities in our communities.

https://bit.ly/3K8G7mc



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“Reproductive rights involve more than the right to reproduce." -Nafis Sadik

Nafis Sadik, was a doctor who championed women’s health and rights. She was most known for spearheading the groundbreaking UN program in 1994 that first recognized women's rights to control their reproductive sexual health and the choice to become pregnant.

Her bold vision and leadership set a path for the rest of the world to follow. As Unitarian Universalists, we honor those who came before and carry the light of their inspiration forward as we continue the work they began. May Nafis Sadik’s legacy live on forever.

https://n.pr/3prD3rA


Sadik became the architect of groundbreaking U.N. action that recognized for the first time that women have the right to control their reproductive and sexual health.

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Democracy is central to the faith of Unitarian Universalists, who work worldwide for justice. Demands for accountability are driven not by retribution but by the necessity to prevent the next attack on democracy.

This story from UU World reminds us as Unitarian Universalists to lend our voices to help ensure the January 6 investigations spark real action to save us from democratic collapse.

https://bit.ly/3zZPuQq


The January 6 Committee is doing its job admirably. Now we must make sure its work results in action.

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We echo President Susan Frederick-Gray's remembrance of the power of nonviolent resistance as so many across the world mark the 75th anniversary of India's independence.

May the life, leadership and dedication of Mahatma Gandhi remain an inspiration to us all.


On this 75th anniversary of India’s independence from British colonial rule, I send good wishes to all who are marking the occasion.

For me, I am remembering Mahatma Ghandi on this day and the power of nonviolent resistance movements, when persistent and organized, to create liberatory change.

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Minister and poet Kristen L. Harper unpacks the language, imagery, and cultural touchstones that reinforce white supremacy culture and invites readers to radically transform their perceptions of blackness.

Get your copy of "The Darkness Divine" from the UUA's Inspirit book store and your purchase supports this faith tradition we all love.
http://bit.ly/3eofwBS.



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5 years ago today about sixty members of the clergy - including Unitarian Universalist Association President Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray and Southern Region Congregational Life Field staff member, Rev. Carlton Elliott Smith - marched in Charlottesville, Virginia, in an interfaith, nonviolent protest against a white supremacist rally.

The dangerous rise of white supremacy was on full display as men with tiki torches marched on the University of Virginia's campus the night of August 11 and clashed with counter-protestors on August 12, 2017.

We remain so proud of the Unitarian Universalist clergy and lay people who were on the side of love and provided courageous witness on that day. Today's somber anniversary reminds us the stain of white supremacy is still part of our society. We must all find the moral courage to speak out against the white nationalist rhetoric that fuels ongoing hate crimes.

The UUA remains steadfast in its commitment to anti-racism. We are hopeful that the Beloved Community can be built here in the US but we know that is only possible through the hard work of listening to and organizing in solidarity with those most impacted by systemic racism.

https://bit.ly/3PkCVoc


Several events are planned to celebrate community in the wake of Aug. 12, 2017 violence.

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“Every day of your lives is practice in becoming the person you want to be. No instantaneous miracle is suddenly going to occur and make you brave and courageous and true.”

- Audre Lorde

Use every day to move at a pace that will help us collectively become the religious people we want to be. Apply a lens of equity, inclusion, and change to all you do. May this remind all of us to fill our lives with the Unitarian Universalist values of love, justice, and truth.



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On this #ThoughtfulThursday, we offer you a message from Worship Web by Shari Woodbury. "Let us model the health we seek for all
and lean into community. Somewhere out there, all we dream is possible.
Somewhere in here, we are sowing the seeds."

There are only a few weeks left of summer - find balance and joy in the present moment. Make room in your days for spiritual care and renewal. Give yourself permission to rest, to simply be, and take one day at a time.

https://bit.ly/3C3xHKG

Photocredit: @zeaink



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On August 4th, the Washington Post reported that the teacher shortage in America has hit crisis levels, and school officials are scrambling. Experts point to pandemic exhaustion, low pay, and politics - during the last two years, classrooms have increasingly become ground zero for debates over gender, guns, race, and COVID. Our teachers face poor pay and benefits, poor health guidance, gag rules on instruction, book bans, denigration of science and humanities, bullying, intimidation, and death threats constantly.

Before the school bell rings this fall, how can we show up for our teachers? This staffing crisis is crashing down at a time when students need their teachers the most.

Unitarian Universalists have historically affirmed the value of public education in a pluralistic society and we believe that free inquiry strengthens minds in the individual search for knowledge. We are so grateful to teachers, who are often so integral to our children's educational journeys. As parents and students prepare for this upcoming school year, we must demand action to support our teachers.

https://bit.ly/3P9PxPf


The first day of school is less than a month away for many but will there be enough teachers to lead the classrooms?

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From the deck of the Starship Enterprise to the storied parquet of the NBA — Nichelle Nichols and Bill Russell changed how the world saw Black Americans. And off the court and away from Hollywood, through their efforts on behalf of civil rights, they helped the country to understand that we could do better when it comes to racial justice. By going boldly where few Americans had gone before, they defined what this country can be.

In order to create a more equitable future for BIPOC communities, we must learn from those that came before us. Unitarian Universalists lift up the hope and power of Nichelle Nichols and Bill Russell, and we carry the light of their inspiration forward. We are grateful for their fight for justice.

https://wbur.fm/3C0uhbB


From the deck of the Starship Enterprise, to the storied parquet of the NBA -- Nichelle Nichols and Bill Russell changed how the world saw Black Americans. We remember the legacies of these two pioneers.

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In honor of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, Unitarian Universalist Service Committee is documenting several Indigenous tribes’ fight for justice as they battle environmental racism and climate change. Check out this two-part photo essay, to see the real-life impacts of climate change on these communities and the effects of poor resource allocation for Indigenous peoples.

https://bit.ly/3bKD1YM


Indigenous wisdom drives a campaign for the preservation of culture and community in Louisiana.

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Today is the International Day of the World’s #Indigenous Peoples. As Unitarian Universalists, we celebrate the world's 476 million Indigenous people and work in solidarity with Indigenous communities to preserve their lands,
waters, peoples, sacred sites, and sovereignty. Today is a day to celebrate Indigenous histories, cultures, traditions, and achievements while remaining committed to protecting and promoting the rights of Indigenous people.

Photo Credits:UN



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We are in a time where more liberal believers need to become comfortable in speaking about – and acting from – their moral and religious beliefs when it comes to crafting a radical community that protects Black, Indigenous, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ communities, and people living with disabilities.

"It’s time for influencers in the media and elsewhere to recognize that voices of faith don’t only come from the right but also from the middle – and the left. As UUs, we have hope – and a moral obligation – to fight for a more just world. We know this requires persistence and a calling to dismantle systems of hatred and greed. We are committed to this work."

Read The Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray and Rev. Jo Murphy's piece in CommonWealth Magazine on how progressive people of faith can be an important political force for social justice.

https://bit.ly/3PgHujw


UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS are very outspoken regarding our beliefs and we consider ourselves a vital, progressive spiritual and religious movement. As a faith that centers on covenant – our promises to each other and the world – we are compelled not only to be vocal, but to put actions behind our ...

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We hold #BreonnaTaylor and her loved ones in love and light. This action by the U.S. Attorney General is a small but hopeful indication that our legal system knows that #BlackLivesMatter. https://bit.ly/3vFEUfW


Joshua Jaynes and Brett Hankison were arrested Thursday morning by the FBI, according to attorneys for the former Louisville Metro Police officers.

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"May you choose your people, and be chosen by them, again and again and again." ~Rev. Abbey Tennis

Read her full reflection and prayer from Braver Wiser: https://bit.ly/3zrCzGK


We must choose each other again and again, though conflict and through plenty.

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As we prepare for our children to head back to school, make time for one more summer read.

"Little Did I Know" is an inclusive and diverse anthology that includes all kinds of families: chosen and biological, extended families, single parents, divorced parents, and more—a beautiful spectrum of people reflecting on the role children and young people have played in their lives and in their larger search for meaning. "Little Did I Know" goes well beyond the sentimental to an honest reckoning with the vulnerability and beauty of parenting and caregiving.

https://bit.ly/3SmdMfJ



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Unitarian Universalists are committed to affirming and welcoming disabled people. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to ending ableism, but disability activists spoke with Religion News Service about where religious communities can start.

Read these activists' suggestions about how to make religious places more accessible: https://bit.ly/3Qf33C1

Looking for more resources? Check out EqUUal Access, the UU affinity organization that promotes equality and access for UUs with disabilities.
https://bit.ly/3bujeg8


(RNS) — There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to ending ableism, but disability activists spoke with RNS about where religious communities can start.

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August is #NationalBlackBusinessMonth, created in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. to bring attention to the needs of more than two million Black-owned businesses operating across America.

Project Pneuma compiled a list of ways everyday consumers and funders can support Black-owned businesses during the month of August and beyond.

Read and learn how you can support Black Business Month:
https://bit.ly/3JqdqAK.


August is #NationalBlackBusinessMonth, created in 2004 by historian John William Templeton and engineer Frederick E. Jordan Sr. to bring attention to the needs of more than two million Black-owned businesses operating across America. Did you know Black business owners account for about 10 percent of...

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UUA Co-Moderator Rev. Meg Riley calls the review and potential revision of the portion of the UU bylaws that includes the Seven Principles, Six Sources, and statements on inclusion and freedom of belief, “the juiciest part of what is going on in our faith today.” We think so too.

Are you part of this conversation yet? Join us as we work together to reconsider our faith fundamentals in the coming year. Learn more from UU World: https://bit.ly/3zYE0xX


Attendees discussed the future of the UUA's Principles, Purposes, and Sources.

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UU faith is enriched by Earth-based spiritual traditions, such as the marking of Lammas, harvest of the grain, which begins today August 1st. There are many variations and beautiful tales about the origins of this great festival. Lammas is the first of three celebrations of the harvest. The next is Mabon, the harvest of the fruit, and later Samhain, the harvest of the nuts and berries.

Today marks the beginning of upcoming cycles, seasons, and the inevitability of change. Now is the time to make an inner turn as nature makes a turn of her own.

Photo: George Cole, Harvest Rest, Public Domain



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In the June Dobbs ruling, SCOTUS discarded a half-century of precedent because the U.S. Constitution’s authors failed to affirm reproductive choice. According to SCOTUS, reproductive choice is not “deeply rooted in this Nation’s history and tradition.”

Constitutional conveners were wealthy white men who shut out women, people of color, and the working class from participating. Despite the expansion of rights over the last two centuries to populations previously excluded, minority rule remains in force today.

The current escalation of minority rule undermines virtually all core UU principles. In order to save reproductive choice and preserve previous civil rights advances, we all need to recognize the need for structural change.

Take a minute to understand how the rising threat of minority rule impacts us in this recent UU World Article.

https://bit.ly/3ONSdSe


To save reproductive choice and preserve previous civil rights advances, it’s essential to recognize the need for structural change.

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Join UU the Vote and the Environmental Voter Project on Monday, Aug 1, 2022, at 7 pm ET to call voters in Arizona ahead of their Primary Election on August 2nd.

This will be the first national phone bank of the 2022 campaign year. November’s midterms will set the tone for the next two years of climate change policy. The Arizona election will have massive ramifications on their state and on the nation.

The stakes are too high to be complacent. Let's help make sure climate voters get to the polls and join us on Monday, August 1st at 7 pm ET.

Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3PJ2G2E



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Have you seen the colorful emoji-like characters from the children’s book series, Mr. Men, all over social media? People have been posting the characters with alternate captions detailing possible traits that might represent them. We hope you enjoy the UU take on this trend.









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Another world is possible, it can be more than a dream. Prepare yourself for the times of triumph and times of trial that are ahead. Let us all prepare for a path of justice and equality. We need grounding to find a more beautiful world.

How can UU's take a stance and continue reimagining the future? How is your congregation or community connecting to this work?

Photo credit: soleoado



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