Voices of our faith, for the journey we make together in spirit, justice, and love. Please read, respond, and share!
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An 18-inch blanket of snow surrounds my house and it is far too early to put the winter clothes into storage. Yet, the birds are singing every morning, the days are longer, and grocery store conversation has turned to spring. Springtime…a time of delight for the human spirit!…
By Gail Forsyth-Vail | March 30, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: Beliefs & Principles, Christianity, Spirituality -
We know that the Universe’s one constant is change. Systems are full of chaos. We’ve seen that in our weather systems this month, when March came in like a lion. Northern parts of our country are preparing for another big snow storm. Here in the South the beginning of March brought ice storms and…
By Jessica York | March 20, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: Communication, Multiculturalism -
by Sandy Weir “From this House” is a joyous, South African-style song by composer Ben Allaway. It evokes the image of people walking out into the world after finding power and a sense of purpose at their house of peace, their community space to celebrate, learn, and work out problems. Unitarian…
March 12, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: Multiculturalism, Social Justice -
I first experienced a UU camp retreat when I was still in high school. At Ferry Beach in Saco, Maine, I found a community trying to live according to its highest values in a place apart from an outside world which often felt so violent, unjust, and broken. For me, Ferry Beach was a place where…
By Gail Forsyth-Vail | March 4, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: High School-Aged Youth Faith Development -
Last fall, as the Faith Development Office was preparing discussion guides for Muhammad: The Story of a Prophet and Reformer by Sarah Conover (UUA/Skinner House, 2013), we learned from Mary Benard, Editorial Director of our Publications Office, that Muhammad had been reviewed by Booklist.
By Pat Kahn | February 22, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: Children’s Faith Development, Islam, LGBTQ Issues, Teaching Methods -
Many parents and educators would say “love” is the most important value to demonstrate and to teach the children in our care. Some of us might say “justice.” The annual 30 Days of Love campaign from Standing on the Side of Love, which closes next week, offers reflections and actions to help…
By Susan Lawrence | February 12, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: Families & Faith Development, Parents, UU Identity -
The Indian philosopher, Chanakya (350-283 BCE), said, “Education is the best friend. An educated person is respected everywhere. Education beats the beauty and the youth.” As the Faith Development Director at the UUA, I often ask myself, “What sort of education is available for our UU…
By Jessica York | February 5, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: Anti-Racism, High School-Aged Youth Faith Development, Multiculturalism -
February 2, Groundhog Day, presents a small, persistent cultural marker of a spiritual observance hundreds of years old….
By Gail Forsyth-Vail | February 2, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: Paganism, Spirituality, Winter -
In 1990, the year of Nelson Mandela’s release from Robben Island, I was a great enthusiast of world music. Specifically, the sounds of southern Africa captivated me, the rhythms of that particular, different drummer….
By Susan Lawrence | January 19, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: Social Justice -
About five years ago, I began a sabbatical with a compelling charge from the congregation I served: “Go and find stories and bring them back to us!” I took that charge seriously. I traveled by car the length of the Mississippi River and around Lakes Huron and Superior. I wanted to know how the…
By Gail Forsyth-Vail | January 7, 2014 | From Call and ResponseTagged as: UU Identity