With recent plans of Louisiana to post the Ten Commandments in all classrooms in the state, and similar attempts in other parts of the country, the line between church and state in the US is being tested. Setting aside the First Amendment issue, how do we think of such plans to incorporate religious values into secular education, and the overlap of religious, moral, and political values?
Rev. Dave Hunter is a mostly retired UU minister and a retired voting rights lawyer, who served in the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division for 25 years. Dave is a graduate of Princeton University, Harvard Law School, and Wesley Theological Seminary. Dave and his wife, Rev. Kerry Mueller, live at White Horse Village.
As we move into the second season of UCWC Youth Groupās ongoing DnD campaign, itās worth asking:Ā can UU values be expressed through the game?Ā What values do we see the teens show?Ā And did it help, or hinder, community-building?Ā Weāll look at some things we did (and didnāt) expect over the course of the season.
The UCWC Menās Group -Ā will meet in person onĀ Tuesday, August 6, at 7 pmĀ for a ābeer tasting eventā at Tiloās home. Further details will follow via email. All men are welcome. Ā If you are interested in participating but are not yet on the email distribution list, please reach out to Mark or Dirk atĀ mens-group@ucwc.org.
The Reverend Doctor Richard Speck is the retired District Executive for the Joseph Priestley District (JPD) of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. Previously, he served nine years as minister to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Vero Beach, FL, before coming to the JPD in 2000 as Acting District Executive. In his last two years in Florida he also served as the music director for the church. He graduated from Meadville/Lombard Theological School with a Doctorate in Ministry in 1990. He was hired as the regular District Executive in 2001. He served fourteen years as DE before retiring from full time ministry in 2014.
Why is it that songs of sadness and heartbreak have always been so popular? What is it about human nature that makes us drawn to hearing tales of suffering? In certain respects, dealing with suffering is a foundational element of Buddhism, which clearly is valued by it 520 million followers worldwide. For our August 18th service UCWC members, Jake Michel and Kathy Beatty, will consider suffering through an exploration of the music of 1960s Motown and the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism, two very different cultural elements that both rather converge when it come to how to address suffering. Come and sing along!
All vaccinated adults are welcome. No singing talent or experience is necessary, just a desire to have fun. Capable musicians should bring their instruments. Bring a munchie if you wish. Maps are in the foyer. Contact Steve at email: folkāsinging with questions or driving instructions.
Due to the recent Covid surge, please test before coming or wear a mask.
Sometimes we hold ourselves to impossibly high standards. In a culture that exults perfectionism, how do we recognize and embrace the goodness within us?