Beyond Us

(What’s Happening Elsewhere in the Denomination)

September 2008

      Tragedy tends to remind us of our connections as human beings and as members of many diverse communities. The terrible shootings which took place recently during a Sunday morning service at the Tennessee Valley UU Church horrified, saddened and galvanized people all over this country, UUs and other religious groups as well.

      Our newly arrived minister, the Rev. Dr. Maureen Killoran, remarked: “Thanks to the internet and today's global communication systems, our web of relationship extends across vast distances...and can be as personal as tears shed for the pain of a sister congregation hundreds of miles away. “ You’ll find her entire, uplifting message <here> .

      UUA president Bill Sinkford’s comments can be found at uua.org/news/knoxville. Among other things, he reminded us: “A tragedy such as this makes us acutely conscious of the beauty and fragility of our lives and those of our loved ones.”

      On Sunday, August 10, a UUA ad ran in the New York Times, affirming that we stand on the side of love. You can see the ad by entering uua.org/documents/stew-dev/knoxville_ad.pdf.

      The headline read: “Our Doors and Our Hearts Will Remain Open.” Part of the message said, “This Sunday, just like any other, more than one thousand Unitarian Universalist congregations will be open for business, and our business is to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbor, to nurture the spirits of our people, and to help heal our wounded world.” He continued: “We will not give in to fear. We will meet hatred with love. We will continue to work for justice. Our hearts, and the doors of our more than 1,000 Unitarian Universalist congregations nationwide, remain open. Unitarian Universalists stand on the side of love. We invite you to stand with us.” What a beautiful ad!

      Kenn Hurto, Florida district executive, reported on our UU response, both local and national. Several of our congregations held prayer vigils and other observations. The Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response team, so helpful to Florida after the 2004 hurricanes, was quickly on the scene. Bill Sinkford flew to Knoxville and participated in a vigil held that Monday evening. The Reverend Chris Buice, TVUUC minister, returned from his sabbatical to minister to his people.

      As Kenn said, “The Knoxville congregation and neighboring Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, who also had members in attendance at the service, are being held tenderly in the arms of our wider Unitarian Universalist care.”

      If you would like to express your care directly, he suggested notes be sent to:

            Rev. Christopher Buice
            Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church
            2931 Kingston Pike
            Knoxville, TN 37919-4624

      In addition, the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations (UUA) in collaboration with the Thomas Jefferson District has established the Knoxville Relief Fund to bring ministry, spiritual care, and practical financial assistance to those affected by the tragedy in Knoxville. “Your gifts,” Kenn stated, “will assist the Tennessee Valley UU Church and the Westside Unitarian Universalist Fellowship and their members, and will show them that they are not alone during this time of shock and grief....Know, too, that your cards, simple ‘thinking of you’ notes mean a great deal at this time. There is comfort in knowing that one is not alone in sorrow.

      “Please don't,” he advised, “send e-mails as their system is still overwhelmed.”

Northeast Cluster

     2008 will see a colossal effort to teach as much as possible about setting up and maintaining really strong covenant groups, or small group ministries as they are also called.

     On November 15, a northeast cluster workshop will be held in UU of Marion County’s new facility in Belleview. The church can accommodate four persons from as many as 15 churches (no more than 60 persons). They will be divided into four groups with, ideally, one person from each church in each group. The four groups of not more than 15 persons will meet in 45-50 minute sessions, the themes of which are as follows:

     Every attendee will participate in all four seminar sessions on a rotating schedule.

     Please indicate as soon as possible your interest in attending.

New UUA President in 2009

      Bill Sinkford’s term as UUA president ends next summer, and two excellent candidates are seeking your vote – the reverends Dr. Laurel Hallman and Peter Morales.  Each brings different conceptions for the future of our religious movement, so a neutral online forum has been set up where their platforms can be discussed publicly.  Visit the website uuapresidentialdebate2009.wordpress.com , and enter your own comments about what each has to say.

–– The Denominational Connections Committee