Wishing you all a very Happy New Year! We wish you an abundance of good fortune! May it be a good year. May it be a sweet year.



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We share this video reflection from UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and add our warm wishes to you all for a safe and peaceful new year.

"The days just before the new year dawns are some of my favorite in the entire year. From my home outside of Boston, the long, dark, beautiful nights are a balm to my soul, giving my heart time to reflect on all this past year has held. May these days be a time of rest and reflection for you, too.

I send you blessings that we may all know more love and more joy in the new year." ~ Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray

Watch and share from our YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/kcq-wCmI1g8


As we mark this turning of the year, President Frederick-Gray offers a message of love and blessings that all may know more joy and more love in 2022.

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Happy #Kwanzaa! We offer "A Prayer for Kwanzaa" by Addae Ama Kraba.

O come all you faithful, rejoicing and victorious,
Come, let us embrace the mystery in the spirit of life, as we celebrate the goodness of Kwanzaa and the African American
heritage.

Come and give thanks for companions on the journey in the struggle for freedom and justice.

Our roots in the soil and soul of Mother Africa reach far and wide.
Creator of all, lead us to be true to our nature with respect and dignity for life, from conception to its natural end at death.
Bless and keep us in solidarity one to another.
Ache.

https://bit.ly/3p4jgz9

[Text in graphic reads "Come, let us embrace the mystery in the spirit of life, as we celebrate the goodness of Kwanzaa and the the African American heritage. Addae Ama Kraba" with an image of a kinara above the URL "https://bit.ly/3dZ9R5B".]



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Sending love and good wishes to all on this Christmas Day!



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Many of us are looking to grow in a big way this year. What discomfort are you leaning into to foster that change?

In the words of Emily Richards "May you leave this time together changed.
May the promises you have made to yourself about who you want to be
feel closer to the reality of who you are right now.
May you share that feeling of transformation wherever you go.
May it spread into every word, deed, thought, and interaction
Until we are all changed, transformed and transforming together,
becoming our better selves."

https://bit.ly/3Ea8Z8J


May the promises you have made to yourself about who you want to be feel closer to the reality of who you are right now.

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The UUA Lifespan Faith Engagement Office publishes curricula and resources for lifespan religious education including Tapestry of Faith curricula, Our Whole Lives sexuality education programs, training programs for religious professionals, and more. They have an intermittent need for freelance authors as well as contractors to perform copyediting, proofreading, graphic design, illustration, and multimedia production.

Find more information here:https://bit.ly/3DZUZ1z


The UUA Lifespan Faith Engagement Office publishes curricula and resources for lifespan religious education.

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Deepen your welcoming and inclusive mindset through this Loving Kindness meditation. This is a multigenerational-friendly meditation that is simple, yet grounding.

https://bit.ly/3F51scU


A theology of interdependence is the true heart of our faith; our work for justice is our faithful response.

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In these times, it is more important than ever to realize that we belong to each other, and we share a responsibility for the conditions and qualities that define our relationships of interdependence across the globe and with our planet. May we continue to turn away from paternalism and toward the practices of humility, solidarity, compassion, and equity in fostering the Beloved Community in our culture, our tradition, and in our communities.

Learn more from our president: https://bit.ly/3F5zj5b


A theology of interdependence is the true heart of our faith; our work for justice is our faithful response.

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The Supreme Court has a long history of eroding voting rights by undermining the Voting Rights Act, and with so many voting rights bills discussed and altered throughout 2021, it’s hard to know which ones matter right now.

Our friends at UU the Vote have clarified the roles of major voting rights bills to help us communicate more effectively when calling senators. Learn more about the urgency of passing these bills and how to contact your Senators: https://www.uuthevote.org/voting-rights-bills-december-2021/


With so many bills discussed and altered this year, it can be tough to follow what current bills are essential to protect voters from mass disenfranchisement. This concise summary helps make it clear…

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As we enter the last weeks of the year, many of us will find ourselves with added holiday time off for relaxation and deep reading. Dive into this year's common read, Defund Fear: Safety Without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment by Zach Norris. Zach Norris shifts the conversation about public safety away from fear and punishment and toward growth and support systems for our families and communities. In Defund Fear, Norris explores what has gone wrong, and why, and who has been most impacted by repressive and racist policing systems. He offers a new blueprint for public safety that holds people accountable while still holding them in community. We encourage you to add this to your reading list before the new year!

https://bit.ly/3oXawuM



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This week's Braver Wiser message comes from Leslie Gatto.

Spirit of Love and Life, allow us to know that our dreams will not always be fulfilled. Allow us to be open to what is before us. Allow us to be joyful even when the unexpected interferes. Allow sunrises and sunsets to lighten our souls.

Read it in full and subscribe to Braver/Wiser:https://bit.ly/3s6XBZc


Acknowledging that our dream was not happening didn't end the grief, but it did offer closure.

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We remain grateful for the hundreds of faith leaders and activists who protested outside the U.S. Capitol in support of the Build Back Better bill yesterday, December 13th.

After the speeches concluded at Monday’s protest, the demonstrators at the Capitol marched down the street before moving in front of traffic and chanting. A short time later, police arrived and arrested people who refused to leave, including our President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray and Poor People’s Campaign co-chair the Rev. Liz Theoharis. Around 70 were arrested.

We are grateful for the leadership of our President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray in this time of urgency for our democracy.

https://bit.ly/31RacoG


(RNS) — 'We've come to help you get free — but if you don't want to get free you're going to get your foot the hell off our necks,' the Rev. William Barber, co-chair of the Poor People's Campaign, said of politicians who oppose the legislation.

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We echo and amplify our friends at Side with Love as they share with us live updates from the US Capitol. Our prayers and gratitude go out to those facing arrest for demanding that they take action to protect our communities and democracy before going on recess. We know arrests are happening, including some UUs as well as Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.

Support their courageous witness by calling your Senators and tell them that recess can wait, but these votes can't! https://secure.everyaction.com/TYBeVBuT5kmqKKGEvpywSA2











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So many amazing people joining UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray in testifying today at the #MoralMonday march. They’ll be heading down Pennsylvania Ave. soon – like this post and share why democracy cannot wait. Let’s help make this movement viral!



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President Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray is marching and speaking at the Poor People’s Campaign along with other faith and justice organizations for a Moral March on Washington today. Head on over to our friends at Side with Love Facebook page at 12 pm ET to watch the live stream that will include Susan Frederick Gray's speech.



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The UUA is partnering with the Poor People’s Campaign and other faith and justice organizations for a Moral March on Washington on Monday, Dec.13 to pass Build Back Better and voting rights legislation. We are excited to announce that UUA President Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray is joining the march and speaking at the rally. We’ll be covering Rev. Frederick-Gray’s presence all day on Monday, so follow us for live updates!

https://bit.ly/3dHodHC


With the pandemics of systemic racism, poverty, voter suppression and COVID-19 still wreaking havoc on our daily lives, our democracy, and our nation’s social and moral infrastructure, we need Congress to pass voting rights protections and the Build Back Better plan before the end of the year. Joi...

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Tomorrow is Compass, Navigating the Paths to Liberation Together.
Wish you could attend Compass, but your schedule does not allow it?

Did you know that registration gives you access to the material even after the event?

Even if you can't make it this weekend–there is an easy way for you to watch the presentations, concert, theme speakers, UU response, and full worship service on your own time. Compass will be using Whova, an interactive platform that was used at New Day Rising and General Assembly 2021. Your registration will give you access to the materials to watch on your own time! Service can be downloaded from the Whova App for later use in your congregation in 2022.

Register now for access to this incredible weekend of programming:
https://bit.ly/3GpV5km


COMPASS- Navigating the Paths to Liberation Together, December 11-12, 2021 online.

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General Assembly 2022 Registration is now open! Registration for General Assembly 2022 in-person in Portland, Oregon is now open. Financial support for registration as well as a payment plan is available. General Assembly 2022 will be a multi-platform event, with registration options for in-person and/or virtual participation. Registration for Virtual participation will open on March 1.

Register Now for In-Person General Assembly! https://bit.ly/2CQ6l8M



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We Are Unitarian Universalists! We are brave, curious, and compassionate thinkers and doers. We are diverse in faith, ethnicity, history, and spirituality, but aligned in our desire to make a difference for the good. The members of the First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City congregation presented a musical self-parody, set to the melody of Gilbert & Sullivan's "I Am the Very Model of a Modern Major-General" as they encompass the "Modern Unitarian" in an amusing manner.

https://bit.ly/31Rj9xW


Members of the congregation of Salt Lake City's First Unitarian Church present a musical self-parody, set to the melody of Gilbert & Sullivan's "I Am the Ver...

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Have you heard of Chalica? Chalica is a unique UU holiday. The holiday first emerged in 2005 out of a wish to have a holiday organized around Unitarian Universalist values.

Chalica began this Monday and ends this Sunday, December 12th. Chalica is a week-long holiday, during which we honor and celebrate our seven Unitarian Universalist principles. Those who celebrate Chalica spend each day reflecting on one principle—putting it into practice through their words and deeds.

Each night of Chalica, a chalice is lit and sometimes homemade gifts are
given. There are even several Chalica songs that could be sung—find them on YouTube! Join us this week, as we invite you to celebrate Chalica. Let this be a time to bring ourselves closer to our 7 principles.



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"I am a college student, but more urgently, I am a young Unitarian Universalist working to save my future." Learn how full-time college student Zoë Johnston a young Unitarian Universalist who put her UU values into action on October 13 as she attended People vs. Fossil Fuels protests in D.C.

https://bit.ly/31LgRQw



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This season, we welcome all candlelit Christmas Eves, spiritual solstice celebrations, holiday pageants that engage all ages, and services that draw on themes from Kwanzaa and Hanukkah, Advent, Epiphany, Christmas, Solstice, and the New Year. Unitarian Universalism is a place for multiplicity, honoring multiple traditions, heritages, holidays, and customs. We sing carols and listen to heartfelt music. We hear and speak words that inspire. We pray and meditate. We experience more hope and more peace, even amidst the stresses of our lives and the devastations of the world.

Read more, including tips for how to find more connection and joy for the holidays: https://bit.ly/3pnEI14



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Unitarian Universalists are proud to support access to abortion services today and we are grateful for all who came before us in this fight for justice. As the Religion News Service notes in their story, "As early as 1963, the Unitarian Universalist Association overwhelmingly approved a resolution advocating that abortion be legal if 'there exists some compelling reason, physical, psychological, mental, spiritual or economic." We will continue to fight together for permanent federal legislation that enshrines the national right to abortion care.

https://bit.ly/3pssg03


(RNS) — Reports reveal blunt statements opposing the procedure, broadening definitions of what could be legalized and religious politicians’ reactions to state legislatures’ debates over the controversial procedure.

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May prayers of love surround and hold the families who lost loved ones, the students and teachers, the first responders, and the wider community of Oxford, Michigan. Our faith community mourns with you.This is a time for embracing one another and helping each other find strength and solace. We must reflect humbly and work to change the conditions that allow violence to take place in our school systems. We must remember it's our responsibility to nurture a society in which our children grow surrounded by peace, nurtured in love and supported in life. Let us all hold each other especially tight, knowing this life is tender and precious.



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We invite you to join UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray in a quiet, meditative space to focus your mind on what you are grateful for on this day.

While watching this video message, ask yourself what or who are you grateful for? Is there anyone who's caring for you, showing you care, inspiring you, comforting you?

Watch and share this video with your own congregation or community.

https://bit.ly/3Dcx9Pv


You are invited into a quiet, meditative space to focus your mind on what you are grateful for on this day. Ask yourself in your heart, what or who are you g...

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Thank you to everyone who contributed to a successful Giving Tuesday. Thank you for joining this special opportunity to have twice the impact. If you still want to be a faithful sustainer it's not too late to contribute.

https://bit.ly/3xKoVgz


I am supporting the UUA this Giving Tuesday to provide more resources to congregations, prepare UU leaders and advance our UU values. Join me by donating at giving.uua.org/tuesday

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As the U.S. Supreme Court hears oral argument today in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, let’s recognize that even if SCOTUS rejects Mississippi's attempt to outlaw abortions currently protected by SCOTUS precedent, Mississippi residents have just one clinic providing abortions. We know that without means and access, legal rights do not translate into real choice.

As SisterSong affirms: “Reproductive justice is about access, not choice. Mainstream movements have focused on keeping abortion legal as an individual choice. That is necessary, but not enough. Even when abortion is legal, many women of color cannot afford it, or cannot travel hundreds of miles to the nearest clinic. There is no choice where there is no access."

The UUA is proud to have joined an amicus brief with Unitarian Universalist Women's Federation, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Auburn Theological Seminary, and 50 other faith-based organizations in support of Jackson Women’s Health Organization. And we will continue to fight together for permanent federal legislation that enshrines the national right to abortion care. Our faith calls us to continue to advocate fiercely for all people to be able to readily access safe, legal abortion care whenever and wherever they need it.

https://bit.ly/3xKpvef


Our faith tradition has a long legacy of advocating for safe, legal, accessible abortion care for anyone who needs it.

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December 1st is World AIDS Day, a day to be reminded that HIV/AIDS is still with us. Today we will remember the more than 80 million who are living with HIV and AIDS and the more than 36 million who have died from the virus.

As we move into a season of gratitude and grace, we are mindful of the deep grief that so many are holding as another year comes to a close. May the joy that you hold while surrounded by loved ones leave space for all who are lonely and alone, grieving from deep loss amid COVID-19 and the systems of power and oppression that continue to perpetuate disproportionate death among people who are transgender and people for whom HIV and AIDS is still a death sentence.

In honor of World AIDS Day, please join the U.S. HIV & AIDS Faith Coalition as they honor the millions of lives lost to HIV and AIDS alongside of those living with the virus for a World AIDS Day Conference.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3D9QYXL



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Watch our UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray as she goes live for Giving Tuesday! Go to giving.uua.org/tuesday to make a gift to the UUA!



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"I support the work of the UUA as the flagship of our faith and its promotion of our UU principles on a larger scale." Mark B.

Become a monthly donor for Giving Tuesday and your next 12 monthly gifts will be matched! https://giving.uua.org/tuesday



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What if your gift could be matched for an entire year? This Giving Tuesday is different. https://giving.uua.org/tuesday



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"We are part of the connective tissue that holds the legacy and future of our faith.

We are Church Across the Street, AYS, YRUU, youth cons, Journey Toward Wholeness, GROUNDWORK, C*UUYAN, the Mountain, and GA Youth and Young Adult Caucus.

We are the children of freedom fighters, visionaries, and radical liberal theologians...

We are and will be the ministers, religious educators, congregational presidents, organizers, and social change leaders our faith has led us to be." www.uuworld.org/articles/we-are-community

We couldn't have Unitarian Universalism without #ElandriaWilliams and we can't have it without you. Please support our Association as generously as you are able this #GivingTuesday. https://giving.uua.org/tuesday


I am supporting the UUA this Giving Tuesday to provide more resources to congregations, prepare UU leaders and advance our UU values. Join me by donating at giving.uua.org/tuesday

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On this first night of Hanukkah, we share this message of hope and resilience from President Susan Frederick-Gray.

It reads, "At sundown, as candles are lit for the first night of Hanukkah, let us remember: Even when challenges seem insurmountable, hope is always present. A small group of faithful, committed people really can create change. Faith is what calls us to move forward, in love and hope, even when we can't know how it will all turn out. Happy Hanukkah, Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.



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As we anticipate the start of the holiday season and continue to create new ways to connect safely and celebrate this time, remember the joy and love present in our hearts and in our communities.

In this season, lean into what you love and what makes you feel connected. Find strength in your faith, and in the foundation of your families, friends, and the people who came before you. Enjoy this time to connect with our community and those we love.

https://bit.ly/3p1ZPG6



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Since 1970, Indigenous people and their allies have gathered at noon on Cole's Hill in Plymouth MA to commemorate a National Day of Mourning on the US Thanksgiving holiday. Many Native people do not celebrate the arrival of the Pilgrims & other European settlers. Thanksgiving Day is a reminder of the genocide of millions of Native people, the theft of Native lands, and the erasure of Native cultures. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Indigenous ancestors and Native resilience. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection, as well as a protest against the racism and oppression that Indigenous people continue to experience worldwide.

United American Indians of New England (UAINE group) offers this Livestream of the 52nd Annual National Day of Mourning, November 25, 2021, 12:00 Noon ET, Cole's Hill, Plymouth, MA. Participants in National Day of Mourning honor Native ancestors and the struggles of Native peoples to survive today. It is a day of remembrance and spiritual connection as well as a protest of the racism and oppression which Native Americans continue to experience. Unitarian Universalists remain in committed solidarity with Indigenous people. We send our love and solidarity to the UAINE group today!


2021 National Day of Mourning 11.25.21 12 noon Cole's Hill, Plymouth, MA (hill above Plymouth Rock)E-mail: info@uaine.orgWebsite: http://www.uaine.orgWHAT IS...

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Today, while we are gathered with friends and family, let us take a moment to reflect on this special "Thanksgiving Meditation" by Elizabeth Strong. It begins:

Let us rejoice for the families who have gathered this Thanksgiving to express their thanks and to celebrate the bounty of their lives.
Let us join together in support of those whose families are far away, with distances in many forms.
Let us hold one another in gentle reverence this holiday of Thanksgiving for we are here to celebrate, to worship, to be thankful for what we have.

https://bit.ly/3xqNgrI



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We are relieved to learn that all three of the white defendants tried for Ahmaud Arbery's murder have been found #guilty. The verdict represents a small measure of accountability in the Georgia criminal legal system, but never true justice.

True justice would have #AhmaudArbery still alive to be the loyal friend and loving family member he was before his life was so coldly taken.

We hold his family, friends and all those deeply impacted by these events in love and light during this bittersweet time. And we reaffirm our commitment, rooted in our Unitarian Universalist faith, to be in solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives and with all marginalized communities as we continue the work of building Beloved Community.

#BlackLivesMatter


With closing arguments set to begin in the trial of three men accused of killing Ahmaud Arbery, those closest to him have kept a prayerful vigil at the courthouse.

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Times like these are turning points for everyone. We, as Unitarian Universalists and people committed to the inherent worth and dignity of all, know that we must continue to show up boldly, generously, and courageously in the struggle to transform this country.



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You are invited to reach into your spiritual toolkits and grab your “compass,” your wayfinder, that inner voice that points you toward goodness, and join in charting a path toward a deeper knowing of Unitarian Universalism. Join us for Compass: Navigating the Paths of Liberation Together. Our very own Article II Commission will ask for your input on our ever-evolving Purposes and Principles.
This event is for: lay leaders, religious professionals, adults, youth, members of congregations, and anyone else who is interested in diving into an exploration of interdependence in UU theology and practice.
Compass will be held online on December 11 and 12, 2021. Register today!

https://bit.ly/3wCPioe


COMPASS- Navigating the Paths to Liberation Together, December 11-12, 2021 online.

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UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray shares a pastoral holiday message to help remind us holidays and rituals are an invitation for reflection.

In this video message, learn how President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray practices gratitude to help her be more intentional in naming the gifts that surround her and how we all share a fundamental interdependence.

Watch and share this video with your own congregation or community. Head over to our YouTube channel to get additional video content to use in your congregation's worship service, including a full homily and a guided meditation: https://bit.ly/2ZfHVXo



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With Thanksgiving this week and the holiday season approaching, this marks the beginning of the season of thankfulness and gratitude. After the second year in a worldwide pandemic, it can be easy to get caught up in a whirlwind of complaints and negativity, but expressing gratitude is easier than you think.

https://bit.ly/3CMlgiZ


Let’s start with the people we love and those who love us, thankful they are in our lives obliging us to open our hearts. Let open hearts embrace the...

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Let's take a moment today to uplift and honor the resilience of the trans and nonbinary people still in our lives and in our communities.

We especially echo President Susan Frederick-Gray's deep gratitude shared in the message below.


2021 marks the deadliest year for #transgender and #nonbinary people. In the United States more than 45 trans or nonbinary people have been murdered, the majority of whom were Black and Latina trans women. Racism, white supremacy, and patriarchy are responsible for the disparate impact of this violence against trans women of color.

In the midst of this reality, we continue to have organized, well-funded campaigns to attack the humanity of trans people. The violence inherent in policies denying access to trans inclusive health care, to protections against discrimination, and denying trans kids the ability to play sports enables and encourages the interpersonal violence that takes the lives of our trans and nonbinary siblings.

Today, our hearts grieve and we draw our trans and nonbinary siblings close in love and care. We commit ourselves to the work and the practices and culture that will nurture the day when every trans and nonbinary person is respected, welcome, safe and affirmed in every space – beginning with our own homes and communities.

#TransDayOfRemembrance

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Grateful to be held in community with each of you and with our friends at Side with Love in this time of such grief and frustration. We echo their guidance:

However your heart is today, Beloved, know that you are not alone. It is true that we who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes -- but the “we” is so much larger than any individual, and all of us must take our shifts. If you need a moment to pause, know that others are ready to move and take their turns now.


“Until the killing of Black men, Black mothers’ sons, becomes as important to the rest of the country as the killing of a White mother’s son—we who believe in freedom cannot rest until this happens.” – Ella Baker (1903-1986) In weeks like this one, it can be particularly heartbreaking to...

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As we process this verdict against Kyle Rittenhouse, a young white man who murdered two pro-BLM protesters, we are coming together — on social media and in person, in action, and in prayer — to call for healing, justice, well-being, and true community safety for all in Wisconsin.

Acquittals are what we’ve come to expect from our criminal justice system, which is designed to uphold and protect systems of white supremacy. White supremacy is deadly. It is dehumanizing, violent, and it continues to hold our nation in its death grip. This outcome is yet another example of a system that devalues lives based on who you are and what you look like.

Our faith insists that any system that works to erode our full humanity is unjust and harmful, and must be dismantled. Unitarian Universalism urges us to dedicate our hearts and our life forces toward dismantling white supremacy and creating a world in which every single person has the ability to live free and thrive.

https://bit.ly/3CCYo5w


Rittenhouse’s acquittal is not a “miscarriage” of justice, as some might claim. It is our white justice system working as intended.

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Please join us for a Trans Day of Remembrance worship service led by UUA Rev. Michael Crumpler and special guests Rev. Ali KC Bell and Imara Jones today at 2:00 pm-3:30 pm ET.

Register here: https://bit.ly/3FwiPTH



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If you're thinking about spending your holidays with high school-aged youth, consider getting trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Youth Mental Health First Aid training teaches adults supporting youth how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and crises and offers practice applying appropriate steps to getting youth the help they need.

The next training offered by the UUA is Saturday, November 20th and Sunday the 21st from 1p-4p PT (2:00p-5:00p MT / 3:00p-6:00p CT / 4:00p-7:00p ET).


Youth Mental Health First Aid training teaches how to recognize mental health challenges get help

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As we approach Trans Day of Remembrance, we lift up the experience of Trans women of color, for whom representation can be polarizing. The author Denny reminds us “there are the well-known Trans women of color we admire, and there are those we mourn for.” Let's continue to be mindful of the struggle for balance and acceptance, we hold our trans, non-binary, genderqueer, and gender non-conforming community in care.

https://bit.ly/3qTDAVc


"I’m stuck between feeling like I need to be beautiful in order to be taken seriously, and feeling like I need to be invisible to be safe."

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If you're thinking about spending your holidays with high school-aged youth, consider getting trained in Youth Mental Health First Aid. Created by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Youth Mental Health First Aid training teaches adults supporting youth how to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health challenges and crises and offers practice applying appropriate steps to getting youth the help they need.

The next training offered by the UUA is Saturday, November 20th and Sunday the 21st from 1p-4p PT (2:00p-5:00p MT / 3:00p-6:00p CT / 4:00p-7:00p ET).

https://www.uua.org/youth/adults-ministry/youth-mental-first-aid-trainings


Page Not FoundYou’re trying to access a page that doesn't exist. We apologize for the confusion.If you followed a bad link to get here, contact us and we'll fix it.To look for related resources, try a site search.

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Julius Jones is set to be executed by the state of Oklahoma this Thursday, November 18. Jones’s family and millions of supporters have been urging Oklahoma’s Governor Kevin Stitt to commute the man’s sentence to life in prison, but so far Mr. Stitt has not indicated he is considering a reversal.

Jones has maintained his innocence in the killing of a local businessman since the beginning and his trial has been widely seen as impaired by racial bias. Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board have voted twice to recommend clemency in Jones’s case, but so far Gov. Stitt remains unmoved.

Will you add your name to this petition urging the Governor to grant clemency? Learn more about Julius Jones’s case at https://innocenceproject.org/julius-jones-death-row-oklahoma-what-to-know/.

https://p2a.co/nkqgts2


I just wrote Oklahoma Governor Stitt, urging him to spare Julius Jones' life, an innocent man on death row for a crime he did not commit. Click to do the same: [@campaign]

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We are so grateful for the Trans community who have been leading change in the workplace throughout history and today but, we recognize Trans adults are twice as likely to be unemployed as Cis adults.

As Unitarian Universalists, there is more work to do for us to be the community that Trans UUs deserve and need. Let us lean into trans resilience and support its blossoming and those looking for work.

https://bit.ly/30Eum4p


Not even college education solved the wage gap between trans workers and cis workers, according to a new survey.

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We are excited to announce the new issue of UU World is coming out in early December! Called Transforming Culture In Spiritual and Public Life, this issue focuses on navigating culture change on a personal level as reflected in relationships and personal growth, changing congregational culture, and creating change in society.

Look for your issue to arrive in your mailbox in early December! Not sure if you’re getting UU World magazine or need to update your subscription? You can do it online at https://bit.ly/3qFwaoD.



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This week's Braver Wiser message comes from Shaya French.

“Even a wounded world is feeding us. Even a wounded world holds us, giving us moments of wonder and joy. I choose joy over despair. Not because I have my head in the sand, but because joy is what the earth gives me daily and I must return the gift.”

Read it in full and subscribe to Braver/Wiser:https://bit.ly/3kF0LPg


If this year is a "lost" year, then I am bound to live a lost life.

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It’s time we all gain a new perspective on building a community that cares. To begin the work of we must start with Hospitality, Acceptance, Accountability, and Inclusivity.











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The Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth is partnering with the creators of The Condor & The Eagle for a big community screening daily until Tuesday, November 30th playing every 15 minutes. Register you or your congregation for this screening of The Condor & The Eagle!

This award-winning documentary showcases Indigenous environmental leaders embarking on an extraordinary trans-continental adventure from the Boreal forest to deep into the heart of the Amazonian jungle to unite the peoples of North and South America in a spiritual renaissance that deepens the meaning of "Climate Justice."

Watch the film now: https://bit.ly/3npTgwi


About the Film Host an Online Screening ​​​​​The Condor and The Eagle – Community Documentary Screening Playing every 15 minutes, October 11 – November 30, 2021 Suggested $1-100 sliding scale donation (avg. $25; all are welcome to participate in this community screening regardless of a...

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In honor of Veterans Day, we share this prayer from Wren Bellavance-Grace. Today we have set aside time to publicly say thank you to our siblings who have served in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Navy, and Marines; to say 'Thank You' to all who served, whatever their role, wherever their service took them.

Read it in full from Worship Web:https://bit.ly/31WWTTn


"If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is 'Thank You,' it will be enough" —Meister Eckhart Today we have set aside time to publicly say...

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Months before Rosa Parks became the mother of the modern civil rights movement by refusing to move to the back of a segregated Alabama bus, Black teenager Claudette Colvin did the same. Convicted of assaulting a police officer while being arrested, she was placed on probation yet never received notice that she'd finished the term.

Colvin age 82, is asking a judge to end the matter once and for all. She wants a court in Montgomery to wipe away a record that has cast a shadow over the life of a largely unsung hero of the civil rights era.Colvin's case was sent to juvenile court and records show a judge found her delinquent and placed her on probation as a ward of the state pending good behavior. Colvin never got official word that she'd completed probation. Her conviction for standing up for her constitutional right terrorized her and her relatives.

Her actions back in March of 1955 were conscientious, not criminal; inspired, not illegal; they should have led to praise and not prosecution.
Guided by our faith, Unitarian Universalists remain steadfast in demanding accountability and justice at the highest levels of our government. We hold democracy as a central principle for our faith. We must use this moment as an opportunity for profound reflection.

https://n.pr/3Cm6r7D


Months before Rosa Parks became the mother of the modern civil rights movement by refusing to move to the back of a segregated Alabama bus, Black teenager Claudette Colvin did the same.

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You are invited to reach into your spiritual toolkits and grab your “compass,” your wayfinder, that inner voice that points you toward goodness, and join in charting a path toward a deeper knowing of Unitarian Universalism. Join us for Compass: Navigating the Paths of Liberation Together. Our very own Article II Commission will ask for your input on our ever-evolving Purposes and Principles.

This event is for: lay leaders, religious professionals, adults, youth, members of congregations, and anyone else who is interested in diving into an exploration of interdependence in UU theology and practice.

Compass will be held online on December 11 and 12, 2021. Register today!

https://bit.ly/3wCPioe


COMPASS- Navigating the Paths to Liberation Together, December 11-12, 2021 online.

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The Israeli Ministry of Defense’s October 19 declaration that key Palestinian human rights groups are “terrorist organizations” effectively outlaws and criminalize the named groups: Defense for Children International – Palestine, Al-Haq, Addameer, Bisan, the Union of Agricultural Working Committees, and the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees.

The targeted organizations are among the most respected Palestinian human rights organizations, organizations that many of us rely on for information and with which we have long-established relationships. All of these organizations work closely with the United Nations.

This is a dangerous escalation of Israel’s ongoing attacks on civil society and human rights defenders. An attack on these organizations is an attack on those most dedicated to realizing a just and lasting peace and if this action is allowed to stand, it will make peace harder to realize.

As Churches and church-based organizations, we unequivocally reject this move and call on you to both demand its immediate reversal and to insist on protection for Palestinian civil society and human rights defenders.

https://reut.rs/3o7Ztgy


Israel on Friday designated six Palestinian civil society groups as terrorist organisations and accused them of funnelling donor aid to militants, a move that drew criticism from the United Nations and human rights watchdogs.

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We are excited to announce that the 2021-2022 Unitarian Universalist #CommonRead has been selected:The UUA has chosen Defund Fear: Safety Without Policing, Prisons, and Punishment by Zach Norris(Beacon Press, 2021).

We are in need of a national change with the repressive and racist policing systems. These systems have caused harm and failed to protect marginalized communities. It matters that we support the need for change in public safety, moving away from fear and punishment and toward growth and support systems for our families and communities.

As Unitarian Universalists, the matters raised in Defund Fear invite us to respond to public safety in the U.S. today through a lens of faith. Our values call us to approach this book with humility toward these stories and appreciation of the tellers’ generosity and purpose. Everyone has a place in the stories Norris offers. Bring self-awareness of your place in your community and the world to seek your role in the stories and in the challenges they call forth.

For your care, for your growth, and for the care and growth of others in your community with whom you will discuss Defund Fear, it is strongly recommended that you enter this book with these questions by your side:

What is my connection to the stories told and the harms named? Where am I in these stories? In what ways have punishing first responses either benefited or harmed my community?
What is my story of public safety? In what ways has fear shaped my assumptions and experiences about public safety?
What is my complicity? What shape does, or could, my accountability take?
What support do I have and what do I need, in bringing my raw self to this book and the faith questions it asks me?

https://www.uua.org/read


"Defund Fear" by Zach Norris is the new UUA Common Read.

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At 11 AM for a multiplatform (in-person and online) celebration of Deepavali (Diwali) at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church! The service will feature Indian classical dances by students of Natananjali and Nrithyamala Schools of Dance, Music by DC Group Tvameva, storytelling, and reflections by acclaimed Indian musician and social justice activist TM Krishna. Delicious Vegetarian Indian refreshments will be served following the service for those attending in person.



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Most Unitarian Universalists are strong believers in science, medicine, and epidemiology. We encourage everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as soon as possible. However, some Unitarian Universalists, and staff of UU congregations, have personal values or fears that lead away from choosing vaccination. How can we as congregations who want to minimize the spread of this potentially deadly disease encourage, or even require, vaccination against COVID-19?

https://bit.ly/3l92NXd


Widespread vaccination against COVID-19 makes our communities safer. How do we encourage vaccination with sensitivity and kindness?

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Writing for Braver/Wiser, Diane Dassow reminds us to give up needing to know the answers to every question that might arise, and instead live with the questions. She reflects "I allowed my being to live at low tide, to love, and to look for inspiration in nature. Rather than jump into “wrapping up my affairs,” I relaxed my soul, practiced tai chi, and let the questions float by." Read the entire passage and sign up for Braver/Wiser here:https://bit.ly/3o1Mflt


I am learning to give up needing to know the answers, and instead live with the questions.

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Today starts the observance of Diwali. Diwali is the Indian festival of lights, and India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (or deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. In addition to Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs also celebrate Diwali in such countries as Nepal, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Singapore.

Unitarian Universalists have many kinds of connections with Hinduism.
Ideas and practices from Hinduism are welcome in Unitarian Universalism. Our worships have drawn from Hindu sources: poetry, scripture, philosophy, and kirtan. We share many values with Hinduism—most centrally, that there is unity at the core of religious diversity.



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

Junior Developer
Executive Editor, UU World Magazine

And there will be more to come! Learn more about these exciting opportunities and join us in this transformational work.

https://bit.ly/2rLDAqh



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The UUA continues to turn to the public health professionals who have been advising us throughout the pandemic. As we gather more data about what works and what no longer works to lower the risk of transmission, we update our recommendations.

It is important for congregations to regularly assess the transmission risk for their local and surrounding areas as determined by trusted health authorities and the particular risk factors for staff and members of the community.

We all know the importance of continuing to minister to and provide for the spiritual needs of our communities, maintaining inclusion for all, and mitigating risks for our people, and larger communities.

The UUA is here to support you in that work and we should all make space to support those tasked with making these decisions and plans in our congregations and communities.

https://bit.ly/3EEO1Qb


Here is the UUA's updated guidance around gathering, updated for Fall 2021.

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U.S. Supreme Court justices on Monday signaled they are reconsidering their positions. Monday's argument saw several justices treating the two cases on SB8 as being about the rule of law rather than the right to abortion, and that was bad news for Texas.

Even some of the court's conservatives seemed concerned about the attempt by Texas to structure a law that deprives residents of a constitutional right but is intended to make it impossible to challenge the law in federal court.

Unitarian Universalists proclaim that all individuals and communities have the right to self-determination, safety, and the resources that are necessary for health and sustainability. Our faith tradition has a long legacy of advocating for safe, legal, accessible abortion care for anyone who needs it. We must continue to fight together for permanent federal legislation that enshrines the national right to abortion care.
https://cnn.it/3BC5g2v


Law professor Mary Ziegler writes after Monday's Supreme Court oral argument on SB8, Texas's restrictive abortion measure, that while the justices' questions implied that the Texas law is in trouble, they also showed that Roe v. Wade is in trouble too.

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With the 2020 election day a year behind us, we recognize and remember the Unitarian Universalists who gathered to put our shared values into powerful action. We are grateful for the Unitarian Universalist volunteers who supported fair and safe voting across the country.

The fight for voting rights and true equity for all continues. As Unitarian Universalists, our values hold that all people should have a voice and a vote in choosing their leaders and determining what is best for ourselves and our communities. This is a continuation of our collective power. Learn how you can continue to help at https://bit.ly/2Y7y5pV.


Together. By adding your email, you will receive updates from the UUA and local state action networks. UU the Vote was imagined as an “all hands on deck” project to articulate UU values in the public…

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Today starts the observance of Día de los Muertos. For many, Día de los Muertos is a celebration in memory of those who have died. This holy day is a distinctly Mexican holiday, though some in other Latin American countries have adopted it. In the words of Rev. Marisol Caballero, "When white people 'celebrate' el Día de Los Muertos not as the personal, invited guest of Mexicans, it feels to me like someone has crashed a family funeral or a wake." To learn more about the ways that cultural appropriation serves to re-center whiteness and support structures of oppression, watch this expansive discussion of applying anti-racism work to Unitarian Universalist worship.

https://bit.ly/3mxpqGB


The third of three webinars about Decentering Whiteness in Worship.

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