Archive for June, 2005

Show me the report!

Thursday, June 23rd, 2005

I had the same response as Chutney: why isn’t the Commission on Appraisal report available online?

I suppose I could show up at a UUA-member congregation some morning and ask to see one — the congregations did get one free, right? And as a minister in fellowship, I might get one free. Maybe. These things […]

What not to buy, what to buy instead

Tuesday, June 21st, 2005

I’m convinced that consumerism is the great distracter in America today. Why decry the many erosions of personal liberties, civil behavior, or quality of life when I can buy a sharp new outfit. The Style Network is my favorite venue for shadows and delusion. What’s yours?

But there’s a solution: an unpopular, collective solution. But […]

Transitioning to vegetarianism?

Monday, June 20th, 2005

I feel myself pulled towards vegetarianism. I know the quality of the pull, seeing as it got me in the ministry, got me to Washington, and got me a husband. I suspect it’s just a matter of time, but I’m making no promises.

There are the ethical, health, and sustainability reasons, and I think I’m leaning […]

Constructive help about homeless people

Sunday, June 19th, 2005

This is a request, not a resource. And in particular, I’m referring to homeless men, very likely with a substance abuse problem, a mental health problem or both. This isn’t theory, but daily life in my fair city.

We have a concentration of homeless men in my neighborhood, and it isn’t any mystery. The P Street […]

A better form for UUA.org

Saturday, June 18th, 2005

First, let me say that, despite all my internal criticisms of the Unitarian Universalist Association and our cultural folkways, the use of the Internet is one thing we do pretty well. At least, we did it early and our Internet culture is mature if at time musty.

A month ago, I wondered out loud if there […]

The new hymnal-ette

Thursday, June 16th, 2005

Unless you’re a German-speaking Anabaptist, hymnals don’t last forever. The twelve-year-old Singing the Living Tradition has reached or passed its half-life, and so a supplement is in order even if it means — joy! — having two (or more) books in the pew racks.

The UU Enforcer has bought it, and has a review […]

Time to step up

Thursday, June 16th, 2005

How hard would it be for a thousand Americans of goodwill to write Congress and speak plainly about the Devil’s bargain of torture?

I’m working on my letter right now.

Growing hope

Wednesday, June 15th, 2005

There’s this human, no horticulture, interest story that makes me whistfully hopeful. I read and heard it in of all places the Voice of America.

It just seems so symbolic. You know life from death, victory from adversity, sweet things from the bitter, gowth coming out of the strife.

You know: big biblical themes. Even better: […]

No non-discrimination changes at GA?

Tuesday, June 14th, 2005

Like Philo, I was checking out the General Assembly documents. You can get them here.

I noted a cryptic line in the agenda for Plenary (session) III, on Saturday (p. 5): Why the Amendment to Bylaw Section C-2.3 Is Not on the Agenda.

Why, indeed! Or, what is she — evoking Moderator Gini Courter — […]

No UUA banners, please

Tuesday, June 14th, 2005

I got this comment at the Best website in the UUA posting. I thought it deserved a full reply.

Hi, I was reading your comments and wondered why you suggested that the Harrisonburg church lose the UUA banner. I ask because it’s a resource that was highly requested from us by Congregational webmasters and I’m wondering […]


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