AI (as large language models) is becoming increasingly woven into our daily lives. Our thoughts, longings, and our ways of making meaning are changing, with new questions arising around what it means to be human and to engage in “spiritual” matters. What trends are surfacing as our tools can seem to listen better than friends, comfort us, or provide us with both a sense of security and a sense of wonder? We’ll explore how generative AI’s unique and complex ways of reflecting back to us invite new takes on old desires for meaning, certainty, and purpose. About our Speaker: Mari Budlong is a mother of four, sister to four, a veteran, coach, and multi-faceted human who believes our humanity is worth tending as we grow alongside our quickly evolving technology. With a deep concern for the relational and ecological impacts of our choices — digital and otherwise — she brings heart, humor, and wonder to conversations where bot meets soul.
This is a one of the best Academy Sessions yet!! In this presentation, Dr. Felicia Wu, Distinguished Professor of Food Safety, Toxicology and Risk Assessment at Michigan State University, will discuss the history of US government agencies in Food, Safety and Nutrition. A detailed analysis is done of the 2026 USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans with the controversial inverted food pyramid: https://cdn.realfood.gov/DGA.pdf
Felicia overviews the new revisions to the RFK sponsored Dietary Guidelines for Americans. She provides evidence of the different impacts of vegan, vegetarian and omnivarian diets on men and women. She also discusses the environmental and equity issues that are effected by our food choices and the recommendations of our governments.
At its core Christian Nationalism is a political-ideological view that a particular nation either is or should be a Christian nation — meaning the identity, culture, laws or governance of that country should reflect a specific form of Christianity. It is distinct from simply “being Christian” or “Christian values influencing society.” Rather, it tends to assert that Christianity (or a particular interpretation of it) should enjoy a privileged or dominant status in national life, and that political/civic institutions should reflect or enforce it. There are growing concerns that Christian Nationalist ideas weaken democratic institutions by reducing the separation between church and state, or privileging a particular religious-civic identity over pluralism. It also poses challenges for religious freedom and minority rights: when one tradition is privileged in law or policy, other faiths or secular citizens may find themselves marginalized. Some countries heavily impacted by this movement include the United States, Brazil, Poland, Hungary, Kenya and other sub-Saharan nations.
We began this session by watching a short 20-minute educational video (by James Talarico) on the impact of Christian Nationalism and how we might move beyond it. We then reviewed and discussed the implications of Christian Nationalism for affected nations (with a particular focus on the United States) and for liberal religion as a whole.
The October Academy presentation featured guest speaker Mark Reimers.
How do the billions of neurons in your head, tangled together like jello spaghetti, produce feeling, determination, love and laughter? Waking up, deliberation, remembering, effortful thinking, inner conflict, and day-dreaming are all aspects of consciousness. We will discuss how studies of brain activity during these kinds of experience can help clarify these questions. Will humans of the future understand consciousness? What difference could that make to how they live? Will the science of consciousness lead to enlightenment and understanding or to precise effective Machiavellian manipulation?
This service reviews our capacity to free each other from all kinds of want – and our innate need to do just so.
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.”
As a religious organization, NAUA has always operated as a tax exempt non-profit. To provide added assurance to our donors, we recently applied for a 501(c)3 determination letter from the IRS.
We are pleased to announce that we are now officially identified as a tax-exempt organization and will be added to the IRS’ searchable database as such. As stated in the determination letter: “We’re pleased to tell you we determined you’re exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 501(c)(3). Donors can deduct contributions they make to you under IRC Section 170. You’re also qualified to receive tax deductible bequests, devises, transfers or gifts under Section 2055, 2106, or 2522.”
More information on how you can maximize your contributions to NAUA by donating directly from your IRA’s Required Minimum Distribution or your estate will be shared over the coming months. We are always grateful for any and all contributions that allow us to continue to provide monthly worship services, workshops, CIRCLES and other services to members.
Many of us have chosen to remain guided by what had until recently been the Seven Principles and Six Sources of UUism. The first of those Sources speaks of “that transcending mystery and wonder […] which moves us to a renewal of the spirit.” In this service Rev. Shear explores what those words might mean for us in responding to troubling times such as these. Perhaps a renewal of the spirit is just what the doctor ordered!
This December 2025 NAUA Academy session features a presentation and a lively discussion on the opportunities and challenges from the Arising of the Nones. Joyce Francis leads the discussion, presents efforts of the New Salish Sea Congregation and our own stories of finding Unitarian alternatives. Does the same programs and activities of Unitarians still work for the Nones?
Our apologies.
The recording of this Academy session (below) was not started until after Joyce Francis had been introduced and she had begun her presentation.
To model respectful communication and avoid future misunderstandings, NAUA Board Trustees felt it was important to create, adopt and affirm a code of conduct moving forward. Thank you to trustee Jan Anderson for creating the initial draft, which was slightly modified and adopted by the full board.
Trustees present at the closed December 17th board meeting affirmed adherence to these ideals and pledged to hold themselves and each other accountable. Members are encouraged to read these guidelines and adopt them in their own internal communications, in order to model our respect for the inherent dignity of all individuals and all peoples. These guidelines also reflect the importance we place on our values of freedom, reason and tolerance.
The board pledges to review the Code of Conduct annually and update as necessary. Future trustees will be asked to affirm the code upon joining the board.
