Greetings, !

As August unfolds, many of us find ourselves enjoying some of life's simplest and most enduring pleasures. For example: 

• Is your garden bearing fruit after months of careful tending?
• Have you gathered for picnics, reunions or a visit to a local summer festival?
• Have you spent evenings outdoors watching the sunset or talking on the porch?

These moments may seem ordinary, but they are often where our deepest spiritual growth takes place. A flourishing spiritual life is not built only in moments of profound insight or during formal worship. It is shaped through conversation, connection, nurturing, and awe. The simple rituals of summer remind us that meaning is found not only in extraordinary experiences, but also in paying full attention to the gifts already surrounding us.

A recent opportunity for connection and inspiration was our extremely well-attended NAUA Academy session on July 14th: "What Do We Need from Liberal Religion in the 21st Century?" Thank you to panelists Rev. Twinkle Marie Manning, Nils Pedersen, Kevin McCulloch, and Mark Reimers, as well as session moderator Sunil Wijeyesekera. A lively participant discussion followed the panel, with a number of interesting ideas and thoughts shared. Plans are to continue the discussion at our fall Summit!

On July 18th, Rev. Twinkle Manning led an inspirational worship service on "Sustaining Through Change." These sessions were bookmarked by numerous Circle discussions (Joys & Sorrows, Photography as Spiritual Practice, Discourse and several "closed" connection Circles). as well as the NAUA book club meeting on "Love Your Neighbor." Thank you to all who participated in July NAUA activities. Continue reading to learn about planned August sessions, including an NAUA Academy session with Dr. Cory Jane Clark, professor of psychology, New College of Florida, and a Saturday worship service by the very popular science ambassador JD Stillwater.

As we savor the richness of this season, along with all the opportunities for physical and spiritual nourishment, may we also cultivate the qualities that allow our communities to flourish: gratitude, generosity, curiosity, compassion, and hope. May this month's simple pleasures renew our spirits and inspire us to carry their warmth into the seasons yet to come.

PLEASE NOTE: August NAUA Academy @ Special Date and Time

SATURDAY, AUGUST 8TH, 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET

Learn More Under "Upcoming Events"

Helen Pluckrose is our keynote speaker at Summit 2026. Helen is an independent author and journalist living in London, England, For the past decade Helen has been publishing and leading programs and initiatives that challenge authoritarianism and illiberal actions - both on the right and on the left.

To help us get to know Helen, we have been highlighting one of her blog posts from https://www.hpluckrose.com/ each month in the Compass.

This month we are highlighting two blog posts, since both address issues near and dear to many at NAUA. The first, "Specific Skepticism: How the Enlightenment Learned to Doubt Without Giving Up on Truth" traces the history of traditional liberalism, the problems it addressed, and modern trends toward pre or post-liberalism that risk scientific progress and individual freedom. This is a very worthwhile read for anyone who believes in the NAUA values of freedom, reason, tolerance and the inherent worth and dignity of all persons.

The second post, "The Difference Between Truth Claims and Principles," highlights how empirically proven scientific truths are different from CRT principles that question even the existence of truth.

"Truth claims and principles are categorically different things. Truth claims cannot soften into principles, nor can principles harden into truth claims. They answer different kinds of questions. People may hold the same truth claim while applying very different principles to it, or share the same principles while disagreeing profoundly about what is true.

"It is entirely possible to believe that gender identity is more authoritative than biological sex and still object to a woman losing her job for holding the opposite view. A liberal would oppose anyone being dismissed simply for expressing either belief, regardless of which, if any, they personally held. [In another example] people have been insisting that their own religious beliefs are true and arguing over them for millennia. Defending everyone’s right to believe what they wish and live accordingly, free from discrimination or harassment, while insisting that they not harm others or coerce them into affirming those beliefs, is a much more compelling proposition.

"Never underestimate the importance of the liberal principles that keep debate open and allow that truth to prevail."

UU Community Church (https://www.uuccpf.org) in Park Forest, IL, is an organizational member of NAUA. Many thanks to UUCC President Allan Lindrup for hosting the family of Joanne Krettek (NAUA board member) at their July 26th Sunday's service. UUCC Trustee Marilyn Ragland led an absolutely beautiful flower communion service. All of the members were welcoming and curious about NAUA. We are hoping to offer an on-site version of the fall Summit at UUCC October 2-4.

At our fall Summit, we will be electing board trustees to fill up to five open board positions. The Nominations Committee (Roy Dickerson, Bob Simoni, Joanne Krettek) is seeking nominations from membership for the open positions. Qualifications include:

• NAUA member for at least 6 months
• Commitment to sustaining the NAUA as a guiding force for liberal religion
• Willingness to attend at least 10 online board meetings per year and serve as board liaison or chair for at least one committee
• Enthusiastic about growing our membership, funding, activities and outreach

Board membership is a great way to establish connections with religious liberals throughout the world and promote the liberal values of freedom, reason, tolerance and the dignity of all persons. More information on the expectations for board members can be found in our bylaws.

If you know anyone who should be considered for a future NAUA board position, please email Roy Dickerson at president@naunitarians.org. Please include the name of the person you are nominating and the reasons you are nominating them. 

Members are also invited to nominate themselves for a board position. If doing so, please submit your name, contact information, reasons for wanting to join the board, and a resume or summary of your qualifications.

All submitted nominations will be reviewed by the Nominating Committee, and where appropriate, interviews scheduled to learn more about each candidate.

Photography as Spiritual Practice Circle
1st Monday, monthly, 4:00 pm Pacific Time
~Description on our website

SatChat Connection Circle
Meets 2nd & 4th Saturdays, 1:00 pm Pacific Time
~Join us for connection and community
(Description can be found on our website)

Forum Circle
Meets 1st & 3rd Sundays, 1:00 - 2:30 pm Pacific Time
~Description on our website
NOTE: This Circle is on break until fall

Thursday Connection Circle
1st & 3rd Thursdays, 9:00 - 10:30 am Pacific Time
~You are invited to join us for connection and community
(Description can be found on our website)

Joys & Sorrows Circle
4th Sundays, 4:00 - 5:00 pm Pacific Time. No registration required. Description on our website 

Note: The Wednesday Drop-in Conversation Circle is taking August off and will return on September 2nd, 4:00 pm Pacific Time

** For more information or to register for any of these Circles, email the Circles Team at circles@naunitarians.org **

Suggestions for new NAUA programs, or changes to existing programs, are always welcome. Please email your suggestions to info@naunitarians.org or speak directly to one of NAUA's board trustees.

August NAUA Academy: Special Date and Time
Saturday, August 8th, 10 AM PT / 1 PM ET

The monthly NAUA board meeting is open for members to attend and observe. The NAUA Board of Trustees normally meets at 11:00 AM Pacific time on the second Wednesday of each month.  

If you are interested in joining or observing a board meeting, please read the board meeting participation policy on our website before emailing our board secretary for the Zoom link: 
secretary@naunitarians.org.

NAUA would like to thank member Ed Hudak, who successfully organized and managed our NAUA book club since March of 2024. He led the group in choosing books and a facilitator, posted monthly messages to the Compass newsletter, and sent monthly reminders to participants. Thank you, Ed, for your enthusiasm and commitment! Thanks also to Lorraine Day, who has stepped up to the book club leader role.