Unitarian Universalist family matters – Page 2

We are not powerless

As we approach Christmas, and before our collective attention span shrinks as short as the daylight, I want to put a concluding thought on the series of posts around Unitarian Universalist social engagement, though I expect to come back to the theme. The big takeaway is that we are not powerless. Political and social influence… Continue reading We are not powerless

Doing this good work on the cheap

I’ve been very touched by the comments, here and on Facebook, on the previous posts (one, two, three) on the theme of changing Unitarian Universalist public engagement. A thought or two now about resources. The title, “Doing this good work on the cheap” has a few meanings: Recognizing that we tend to support this work… Continue reading Doing this good work on the cheap

Why merely cope, when you can accomplish?

I’ll keep this brief. I don’t know what to make of the kind of political and social liberalism that Unitarian Universalists so typically dwell in. And because this includes some friends, I don’t particularly enjoy pointing this out, but not saying something isn’t at all helpful. But I already can feel the news cycle pivot… Continue reading Why merely cope, when you can accomplish?

Speaking anonymously for public engagement

Unitarian Universalist minister and blogger Ken Collier blogs about civil disobedience and anonymity. A recent two-part series (first, second) by an anonymous seminarian, posted by Unitarian Universalist minister and blogger Tom Schade, overlaps this and he’s just posted a defence of his publishing anonymous posts as I’m putting this post together (Sunday night). I’ll respond… Continue reading Speaking anonymously for public engagement

Why I only write about Christianity in the UUA

It’s a bit of an overstretch — after all, I have an interest in Stanton Coit and denominational data generally — but I only write substantively about Christianity in the UUA. I write about worship in Christian terms. I write about mission in Christian terms. I write about connections among Unitarian Universalist Christians, and in… Continue reading Why I only write about Christianity in the UUA

My sympathy

Last night, the Unitarian Universalist ministerial college openly lamented the death of Unitarian Universalist minister Jennifer Slade, who died on Tuesday and who was discovered Thursday. I want to express my sympathy to her family, and to her congregations. I am praying for you and her, and for others — including a number of ministers… Continue reading My sympathy

Why “take your punishment” falls flat

Disclosures! Principled disobedience! Angry words! Someone in hiding! Legal threats! Not coming forward! Starr King School for the Ministry? No, Edward Snowden, of course. This article, “Is Snowden Obliged to Accept Punishment?” (Just Security) by Michael J. Glennon, Professor of International Law at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University — you know,… Continue reading Why “take your punishment” falls flat

This blog post is not about Starr King School for the Ministry

January 17, 2015. I’m not writing a new post about the Starr King School for the Ministry crises, but the newest blowup has driven traffic to this article, first published on June 2, 2014. I do have some added questions: Who benefits from the status quo? What is the role of money — paid out,… Continue reading This blog post is not about Starr King School for the Ministry

Review: other lists of Unitarian Universalist “canonical” hymns

Saturday’s blog post (“Fifty Shades of Unitarian“) wasn’t the first time I’ve worked up lists of what might be “canonical” hymns in the Unitarian and Universalist traditions. Because this looks back over several decades, it necessarily includes only old hymns, which is useful (to a point) for finding hymns that have entered the public domain.… Continue reading Review: other lists of Unitarian Universalist “canonical” hymns