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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DanaLee Simon

Continue reading "The Work That's Ours to Do"

DanaLee Simon

Continue reading "The Work That's Ours to Do"

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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Beth Casebolt

Continue reading "Are You Tired?"

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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Shaya French

Continue reading "Not Lost, Just Different"

Renee Ruchotzke

Continue reading "The Emperor's Berries"

Continue reading "Permissions & Licensing"

Central East Region of the UUA

Continue reading "Opportunities for Connection ~ November 2021"

Continue reading "Guidance for Outdoor Gatherings During COVID-19"

Tania Márquez

Continue reading "A Thousand Voices"

Sunshine Jeremiah Wolfe

Continue reading "UU Pittsburgh Assembly to Explore the 8th Principle"

Continue reading "COVID-19 Gathering Guidance: Responding to Emerging Variants of Concern"

Diane Dassow

Continue reading "Letting the Questions Float By"

Continue reading "Have an Idea for CERSI 2022 Workshops?"

Elaine McArdle

Kat McKim

Susan Frederick-Gray

Heather Beasley Doyle

Susan Frederick-Gray

Elaine McArdle

Elaine McArdle, Sonja L. Cohen

Elaine McArdle

Staff Writer

Elaine McArdle

Joshua Eaton

Shaya French

Continue reading "Not Lost, Just Different"

Continue reading "Permissions & Licensing"

Tania Márquez

Continue reading "A Thousand Voices"

Continue reading "COVID-19 Gathering Guidance: Responding to Emerging Variants of Concern"

Diane Dassow

Continue reading "Letting the Questions Float By"

Erika A. Hewitt

Continue reading "The Question"

Mike Adams

Continue reading "Reclaiming My Culture"

Shannon Lang

Continue reading "Putting on Armor"

Continue reading "Surviving a Plague ... Again"

Jake Morrill

Continue reading "Only Clay on the Wheel"