Featured Resource: inSpirit - the UUA Bookstore

The UUA bookstore - inSpirit - is a one stop shop for books, resources, clothing and other unique UU themed items. Here you can find Beacon and Skinner House books in addition to others, UUA curricula, pamphlets for your congregation's visitors, videos and more.

If your congregation has a bookstore or annual book sales, the bookstore will work with you to find the right books for your event and offers a discount for book sales that will help your fundraising efforts. Have a book discussion group? Discounts are available for bulk purchases of five or more copies.

Need holiday cards? a Standing on the Side of Love t-shirt? UU socks or grocery bag? You can find all of those here!

n Boston for a visit? Stop by and see all they have to offer at 24 Farnsworth Street. Not in Boston? Check out the bookstore's website and contact their very helpful staff for suggestions and questions. Visit them at www.uuabookstore.org.

The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith

Imagine what our faith would look like if we upheld and centered the history, the perspectives, the voices, and the leadership of Black Lives of Unitarian Universalists...

The Promise and the Practice of Our Faith Campaign is our opportunity to take the lead as a faith denomination in addressing our history of upholding white supremacy. Together, we can collectively work to dismantle it and amend a long broken promise to the Black Lives within our Association.

Join our Association of Congregations as we do something different in this extraordinary moment to connect our finances with our theological values as we enter a new chapter within our faith.

Learn more about this campaign, schedule a service date, add your congregation event to the map, find resources or make a donation at the UUA website.

Better Together Blog: Does Your Congregation Provide Trauma Support for Members?

At one time in our country people joined a religious community because it was expected that they do so. At the heart of what they sought within the community lay a societal norm and a sense of “Being Human Religiously” to quote James Luther Adams. They came seeking social and spiritual connection and grounding, for themselves and for their children. And Church was the primary place that you could find these social and spiritual connections.

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First Regional Chalice Lighter Call Announced

The four district Chalice Lighter committees have come together to create one unified Chalice Lighter's program to benefit congregations across the region. The first call for the unified fund has been sent out to benefit the Unitarian Church in West Chester, PA.

A Chalice Lighter is an individual who makes a commitment to respond to a call from the Chalice Lighter Program to support one or more new congregational projects like the ones above. These calls come out three times a year. The suggested commitment is $20 per call or $60 per year. We welcome gifts of any size.

Learn more about the chalice lighter program, sign up to be a chalice lighter and read about the fall call at the CER website.

News from the UUA

During the last two General Assemblies, the Commission on Social Witness has held workshops to gather ideas for ways to do more effective social witness work when we are gathered at GA. In order to ensure that those unable to attend also have an opportunity to provide input, the CSW is hosting a second ZOOM meeting on Wednesday November 8 at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time. For background, look over the slides (pdf) from the 2016 GA. We will share the 2017 slides at the beginning of the ZOOM meeting – for context. Then invite your ideas. This is a repeat of the ZOOM meeting CSW held in September, for those who were unable to take advantage of other opportunities. To join, go to https://zoom.us/j/5597746972

Standing on the Side of Love will start its second season of their podcast Fortification on Wednesday, November 1. Learn more and subscribe at the SSL website.

Do you have employees? The Office of Church Staff Finances has created a Benefits Tune-up Workbook to help congregations make sure they are operating within the rules of the UUA benefits plan. Learn more at the OCSF's webpages.

Courage for Racial Justice, Courage for Collective Liberation Training, February 17, 2018 sponsored by the Southern and MidAmerica Regions in Louisville, KY. Unitarian Universalist and Social Justice Facilitator, Chris Crass will offer a one day workshop entitled "Courage for Racial Justice, Courage for Collective Liberation." Workshop will begin with brief worship and include small and large group discussions, storytelling from preselected congregations, theological reflection, and participatory exercise. Concluding segment will focus on "What are you bringing back to your congregation?" and "How will you be accountable for your plan?" Workshop will close with "Revival for Racial Justice" testimonials. The purpose of this workshop is to help build SJ communities and cultures rooted in UU values with the courage to do racial justice work. Focus will be on encouraging activism and leaders, building capacity, and putting UU congregations in touch with one another.

New publications from the UUA - The following new publications are now available: Testimony: The Transformative Power of Unitarian Universalism , Living Revision: A Writer’s Craft as Spiritual Practice . Also, Centering is now available as an ebook. November's Goodreads Book Club Pick is Landscapes of Aging and Spirituality . Visit the Publications Page for details.

The UUA is hiring for several positions. Find job descriptions and application information at their Job Openings webpage.

Calendar Items and News

For events, webinars and congregation news and events visit the following pages:

• CER Calendar of Events and Webinars
• News Blog for Congregational Stories
• Congregational and Affiliate Group Calendar