Sandra Lopez sought sanctuary last year.

Now she is leaving.

“Sandra is leaving the sanctuary of our congregation and goes into the larger sanctuary of our community,” the Rev. Shawna Foster, minister at Two Rivers Unitarian Universalist, said in the statement. “This valley wants to keep families together and is committed to the unity of our neighborhoods by supporting sanctuary for almost a year.

I saw The Met’s Encore beautiful production of Gounod’s opera at the Revere Cinema last night. The singing was exquisite, and although I didn’t totally like Bartlett Scher’s directorial decisions (mud I saw The Met’s Encore beautiful production of Gounod’s opera at the Revere Cinema last night. The singing was exquisite, and although I didn’t totally like Bartlett Scher’s directorial decisions (mud

Winter Sun Yesterday I posted a few photographs under the title of "Winter sun, trees, and teasels in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden." I publish here a black and white version of the "Winter Winter Sun Yesterday I posted a few photographs under the title of "Winter sun, trees, and teasels in the Cambridge University Botanic Garden." I publish here a black and white version of the "Winter

BOSTCASTLE, Eng. — The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Cornwall, the south-western corner of the Isle of Britain, has been a rich repository of artefacts and lore since 1960. Its collection has grow BOSTCASTLE, Eng. — The Museum of Witchcraft and Magic in Cornwall, the south-western corner of the Isle of Britain, has been a rich repository of artefacts and lore since 1960. Its collection has grow

By Jay Wexler As someone who has written a book about the “odd clauses” of the Constitution, I always find it exciting when some weird and heretofore unnoticed clause starts grabbing some of the natio By Jay Wexler As someone who has written a book about the “odd clauses” of the Constitution, I always find it exciting when some weird and heretofore unnoticed clause starts grabbing some of the natio

Mary Tyler Moore in her self-titled TV show. Mary Tyler Moore died yesterday in Connecticut.   The star of two of television’s most beloved, iconic, and influential sit-coms, a shrewd businesswoman an Mary Tyler Moore in her self-titled TV show. Mary Tyler Moore died yesterday in Connecticut.   The star of two of television’s most beloved, iconic, and influential sit-coms, a shrewd businesswoman an

The Don might remember the pull quote from Robert Frost's poem, and think it was a celebration of tidy boundaries. Good neighbors! He spent a lot of time in New York, do you suppose he ever visited th The Don might remember the pull quote from Robert Frost's poem, and think it was a celebration of tidy boundaries. Good neighbors! He spent a lot of time in New York, do you suppose he ever visited th

Given heightened hostility, violence, and threats to whole groups of people living in the United States, as well as escalating violence toward at-risk communities around the world – such as […] The po Given heightened hostility, violence, and threats to whole groups of people living in the United States, as well as escalating violence toward at-risk communities around the world – such as […] The po

I’m keeping my subscription to the New York Times. We’re on a tight budget now, and I’ve thought more than once of canceling my digital subscription. But the NYT is the one mainstream press that has a I’m keeping my subscription to the New York Times. We’re on a tight budget now, and I’ve thought more than once of canceling my digital subscription. But the NYT is the one mainstream press that has a

Are for-profit charter schools accountable to the public? Do for-profit Charters operate under the directions of a Board of Directors? How is their mission defined? Is the administration accountable t Are for-profit charter schools accountable to the public? Do for-profit Charters operate under the directions of a Board of Directors? How is their mission defined? Is the administration accountable t

The great safety pin debate. The epic pussy hat debacle. These are just two examples of an ongoing trend in liberal circles: people (often with relative privilege) respond poorly when their well meani The great safety pin debate. The epic pussy hat debacle. These are just two examples of an ongoing trend in liberal circles: people (often with relative privilege) respond poorly when their well meani

The secret to happiness is awakening your inner healer.  Member Nicole Robinson found hers through battling Lyme disease, but you don’t have to go through an illness to find yours.  Come join us at wo The secret to happiness is awakening your inner healer.  Member Nicole Robinson found hers through battling Lyme disease, but you don’t have to go through an illness to find yours.  Come join us at wo

You cheered because a bunch of park rangers did their job. You can be an inspiring badass park ranger for someone else. Grow the resistance one imaginatively subversive act at a time. You cheered because a bunch of park rangers did their job. You can be an inspiring badass park ranger for someone else. Grow the resistance one imaginatively subversive act at a time.

Reinhard and Margarethe were once strangers in this country. They had met at a tuberculosis sanitorium in Germany; he from the former East Germany and she from the Black Forest. Reinhard and Margarethe were once strangers in this country. They had met at a tuberculosis sanitorium in Germany; he from the former East Germany and she from the Black Forest.

A small blog administration note. I like this theme, but that header image needs to change. And I’ll try out the extra features. A small blog administration note. I like this theme, but that header image needs to change. And I’ll try out the extra features.

Venus and Serena Williams are playing for the Australian Open final tomorrow. 20 years of amazing tennis. An incredible doubles team with 14 grand slams and three Olympic Gold Medals.  7 slams for Ven Venus and Serena Williams are playing for the Australian Open final tomorrow. 20 years of amazing tennis. An incredible doubles team with 14 grand slams and three Olympic Gold Medals.  7 slams for Ven

In a rare glimpse of mettle since she conceded the race to Donald Trump last November, Hillary Clinton showed up …<p>Continue reading → In a rare glimpse of mettle since she conceded the race to Donald Trump last November, Hillary Clinton showed up …<p>Continue reading →

I gather there is some confusion about how what we call the Four Noble Truths became the central exposition of Buddhist teachings. They are found in two versions in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, th I gather there is some confusion about how what we call the Four Noble Truths became the central exposition of Buddhist teachings. They are found in two versions in the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta, th

Even an ordinary office building can become a jewel if it reflects the glory of the evening sky. How have you added to your own life by amplifying the work of others? The Daily Compass offers words an Even an ordinary office building can become a jewel if it reflects the glory of the evening sky. How have you added to your own life by amplifying the work of others? The Daily Compass offers words an

One of the important things about children in the wood shop is overcoming the inclination to hold work in one hand and saw in the other. An effective means of holding the wood is required for student One of the important things about children in the wood shop is overcoming the inclination to hold work in one hand and saw in the other. An effective means of holding the wood is required for student

I don’t know where to begin with this one – while it is a joyful song of determination to sing, there are so many layers of complexity, and as a middle-aged white woman, I feel uncomfortable making an I don’t know where to begin with this one – while it is a joyful song of determination to sing, there are so many layers of complexity, and as a middle-aged white woman, I feel uncomfortable making an

The story of one rebel starts with the end of another, John the Baptist. His title means he baptized people, washing away their sins in a ritual bath. Mark starts his story by telling about the Baptis The story of one rebel starts with the end of another, John the Baptist. His title means he baptized people, washing away their sins in a ritual bath. Mark starts his story by telling about the Baptis

Our scares they help make us They help make the wonderful us But we know if we could’ve avoided them then we’d avoided them Our scares they help make us They help make the wonderful us But if we could Our scares they help make us They help make the wonderful us But we know if we could’ve avoided them then we’d avoided them Our scares they help make us They help make the wonderful us But if we could

I have been asking myself and others, what does the change in our country mean for our personal activities and commitments?  Every day I receive dozens of emails asking me to sign this petition or donate to that organization working on behalf of immigrants, or women’s reproductive health care, or the environment, and on and […] I have been asking myself and others, what does the change in our country mean for our personal activities and commitments?  Every day I receive dozens of emails asking me to sign this petition or donate to that organization working on behalf of immigrants, or women’s reproductive health care, or the environment, and on and […]

What does it mean, for the nation, when people can call each other out as ridiculous and then try to present a united front and get on with governance? Should we believe that everyone is playing the same game? What does it mean, for the nation, when people can call each other out as ridiculous and then try to present a united front and get on with governance? Should we believe that everyone is playing the same game?

I would like to share some highlights from the conclusion of religion professor Jeffrey Kripal’s book Comparing Religions: Coming to Terms about where we find ourselves here in the early twenty-first century on the other side of the comparative process, having compared the world’s religions in light of both modern science and our own direct experience. In [Read More...] I would like to share some highlights from the conclusion of religion professor Jeffrey Kripal’s book Comparing Religions: Coming to Terms about where we find ourselves here in the early twenty-first century on the other side of the comparative process, having compared the world’s religions in light of both modern science and our own direct experience. In [Read More...]

Out in Force for Love My twin 6 year olds travelled from Lexington. KY. (Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington) to Washington.  Here are some of our photos: It was especially meaningful to them that so many new friends stopped to talk with them and thank them for coming, and assure them that they can and will change the world. – Alana Ghent We are members of the Unitarian Univeralist Church of Lexington. My daughters are age 12 and 9. – Becky Wallace These are photos of my daughter Rowan Benson at the #sistermarch in Lexington, KY this past weekend. I am a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington and on the leadership council... Out in Force for Love My twin 6 year olds travelled from Lexington. KY. (Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington) to Washington.  Here are some of our photos: It was especially meaningful to them that so many new friends stopped to talk with them and thank them for coming, and assure them that they can and will change the world. – Alana Ghent We are members of the Unitarian Univeralist Church of Lexington. My daughters are age 12 and 9. – Becky Wallace These are photos of my daughter Rowan Benson at the #sistermarch in Lexington, KY this past weekend. I am a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Lexington and on the leadership council...

Unitarian Universalist ministry was a huge, mid-life career change for me. When I made the decision, I didn’t dream I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s a rigorous path. The Unitarian Universalist Association requires self-analysis, years of postgraduate education, and extensive fieldwork. As a final step, the Candidate goes before the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee […] The post PTSD and the MFC appeared first on Dennis McCarty. Unitarian Universalist ministry was a huge, mid-life career change for me. When I made the decision, I didn’t dream I had Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It’s a rigorous path. The Unitarian Universalist Association requires self-analysis, years of postgraduate education, and extensive fieldwork. As a final step, the Candidate goes before the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee […] The post PTSD and the MFC appeared first on Dennis McCarty.

Eva had no money but needed a reading. She had contacted my godmother because she had heard that our spiritual house would not charge. It was true, and my godmother asked me to come along on the visit. Eva lived near Bartow, Florida in a house made of wood that had started to rot; so […] Eva had no money but needed a reading. She had contacted my godmother because she had heard that our spiritual house would not charge. It was true, and my godmother asked me to come along on the visit. Eva lived near Bartow, Florida in a house made of wood that had started to rot; so […]

Heather Christensen A weekly roundup of blogs and other user-generated web content about Unitarian Universalism. Heather Christensen A weekly roundup of blogs and other user-generated web content about Unitarian Universalism.

Rachel Walden A weekly guide to stories about Unitarian Universalists from other media sources. Rachel Walden A weekly guide to stories about Unitarian Universalists from other media sources.

Kenny Wiley The UUA and UU Service Committee’s joint statement of conscience, as well as a minister’s response to the Trump administration’s executive orders, garnered media attention. Kenny Wiley The UUA and UU Service Committee’s joint statement of conscience, as well as a minister’s response to the Trump administration’s executive orders, garnered media attention.

This series looks at the recent executive orders on immigration the Trump administration signed. Many, however been left wondering what the actual impact of the new executive actions will be […] The post What Do Trump’s Executive Orders Really Mean? Part 1/3 appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. This series looks at the recent executive orders on immigration the Trump administration signed. Many, however been left wondering what the actual impact of the new executive actions will be […] The post What Do Trump’s Executive Orders Really Mean? Part 1/3 appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

This series looks at the recent executive orders on immigration the Trump administration signed. Many, however been left wondering what the actual impact of the new executive actions will be […] The post WHAT DO TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS REALLY MEAN? PART 2/3 appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. This series looks at the recent executive orders on immigration the Trump administration signed. Many, however been left wondering what the actual impact of the new executive actions will be […] The post WHAT DO TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS REALLY MEAN? PART 2/3 appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

This series looks at the recent executive orders on immigration the Trump administration signed. Many, however been left wondering what the actual impact of the new executive actions will be […] The post WHAT DO TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS REALLY MEAN? PART 3/3 appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. This series looks at the recent executive orders on immigration the Trump administration signed. Many, however been left wondering what the actual impact of the new executive actions will be […] The post WHAT DO TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS REALLY MEAN? PART 3/3 appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

Way back in 2004, not long after I'd met him in Vancouver B.C. at my first ever Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network conference (and before he went on to become Associate Minister for Music at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville), Jason Shelton overheard something that led to inspiration, and a song, Standing on the Side of Love , at that moment when there was a billboard saying Civil Marriage is a Civil Right and Massachussetts was getting it, and who could have imagined, we'd all get it (legally, at least) in the summer of 2015. Along the way there were demonstrations, and banners, and t-shirts, and eventually, celebrations, and cake, and weddings galore. But in between, before all those celebrations (and yes, lame... Way back in 2004, not long after I'd met him in Vancouver B.C. at my first ever Unitarian Universalist Musicians Network conference (and before he went on to become Associate Minister for Music at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville), Jason Shelton overheard something that led to inspiration, and a song, Standing on the Side of Love , at that moment when there was a billboard saying Civil Marriage is a Civil Right and Massachussetts was getting it, and who could have imagined, we'd all get it (legally, at least) in the summer of 2015. Along the way there were demonstrations, and banners, and t-shirts, and eventually, celebrations, and cake, and weddings galore. But in between, before all those celebrations (and yes, lame...

The glass has shattered But the ceiling holds Rose colored spectacles Are rimmed with blood But still we can see The sun shining Beyond the poisoned skies   Hold my hand My dear my love Put on your boots Protect your feet As we move forward Into a world Of broken glass To rebuild again And again […] The glass has shattered But the ceiling holds Rose colored spectacles Are rimmed with blood But still we can see The sun shining Beyond the poisoned skies   Hold my hand My dear my love Put on your boots Protect your feet As we move forward Into a world Of broken glass To rebuild again And again […]

Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.   It will be observed—celebrated is certainly the wrong word here—in ways big and small, significant and trivial in many places across the world.   The commemoration comes on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps in Poland by the advancing Red Army on January 27, 1945.   American, British, Canadian, and other Allied Forces liberated other camps, but Auschwitz was the pinnacle of efficiency for the Nazi industrialization of mass murder. On the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation the United Nations General Assembly held a special commemorative session.   The following November the General Assembly created the commemoration day, which was first observ... Today is International Holocaust Remembrance Day.   It will be observed—celebrated is certainly the wrong word here—in ways big and small, significant and trivial in many places across the world.   The commemoration comes on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau death camps in Poland by the advancing Red Army on January 27, 1945.   American, British, Canadian, and other Allied Forces liberated other camps, but Auschwitz was the pinnacle of efficiency for the Nazi industrialization of mass murder. On the sixtieth anniversary of the liberation the United Nations General Assembly held a special commemorative session.   The following November the General Assembly created the commemoration day, which was first observ...

Our weekly roundup of what we’re reading: a few select articles from the front lines of human rights that we don’t want you to miss. This week’s Rights Reading focuses […] The post Rights Reading appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. Our weekly roundup of what we’re reading: a few select articles from the front lines of human rights that we don’t want you to miss. This week’s Rights Reading focuses […] The post Rights Reading appeared first on Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.