Banned Children’s Books

Dec 31, 2023 | News

The past year has seen a distinct increase in the number of books banned in our schools. Some of these bans focus on books promoting gender and sexual topics. Sometime these bans are instigated by government decree, as in Iowa.  Other times bans are coming from the far left inspired by zealous proponents of these issues. This is illustrated in this amazing article about policy in one of Canada’s largest school districts 

Obviously, Unitarian Universalists are just one of our valued social institutions afflicted  with the CRT virus.  And right wing governments are taking this opportunity to indoctrinate our children as well with  bans of their own.

We are in desperate need of a vaccine!  One that vanquishes the foes of Freedom, Reason and Tolerance from both the left and the right.

 

New issue of the Liberal Beacon

Dec 27, 2023 | News

We are pleased to share Issue #8 of the Liberal Beacon. 

This issue features 4 feature articles,  a tribute to Rev. Dr. Finley Campbell and a list of upcoming NAUA activities.

We hope you enjoy this issue and share it with a friend or leave a comment!

We wish you all of the best for the New Year with hope that it brings needed peace in our country, communities and in the world.

The PDF Issue can be downloaded here.

12/16/2023 – Blue Christmas by Rev. Twinkle Manning

Dec 20, 2023 | Worship Service, Worship Services

December’s NAUA worship service theme was: “Blue Christmas.” The holiday season, while filled with light, can create palpable darkness. This service offers a space to hold your grief sacred and to honor any loss or pain you are feeling. Join us for heartfelt music, sacred solace and reflection. This service includes Christmas, Solstice and Hanukah Music.

Our worship leader for this service was Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning. Twinkle is the contract minister for the Universalist Unitarian Church of Waterville, Maine. She is an author, poet, retreat leader and liturgist, as well as a semi-retired television producer. She served for many years on the core leadership team for UU Women and Religion and is the Creator of the UU Talks platform. Her theology is centered in, “Living Life as a Prayer.” For more information about Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning, visit: www.TwinklesPlace.org www.EmpoweringWomenTV.org www.TVforYourSoul.org

Timely Unitarian History Lesson

Dec 19, 2023 | News

In times of unrest and disagreement it is comforting to know that these times are not unique.  We have been challenged by different understanding and goals of our religious organizations in the past and in the present.

In this NAUA Academy video, Kevin McCulloch, details the transcendentalist critique of historical Christianity that created a rift in the Unitarian church. Although the National Conference of Unitarian Churches was founded in 1865, it took nearly 30 years for the conference participants to reach consensus on a statement that defined what it meant to be a Unitarian. 

12/13/2023 – Lessons from the Unitarian Quest for Consensus 1865-1895 by Kevin McCulloch

Dec 19, 2023 | NAUA Academy

The Transcendentalist critique of historical Christianity created a rift in the Unitarian church between traditional-minded Unitarian Christians and more radical Free Religionists who felt that the church should embrace a more universal form of religion. Although the National Conference of Unitarian Churches was founded in 1865, it took nearly 30 years for the conference participants to reach consensus on a statement that defined what it meant to be a Unitarian. Since we are living through another period where there is a lack of consensus on what Unitarianism and Unitarian Universalism are all about, we will revisit this earlier conflict to see what lessons it holds for us today.

Speaker: A lifelong UU, Kevin McCulloch holds a Master’s of Theological Studies from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University, where he studied American religious history. He most recently taught Unitarian Universalist history as a member of the adult religious education committee at All Souls Church Unitarian in Washington, DC.