First Existentialist Congregation

From the Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): "I'm pleased to announce the public release of the new five-page UUA Strategic Plan for Professional Ministries. The plan, developed by our Professional Ministries Task Force, outlines eight key recommendations gleaned from our 64-page Strategic Review of Professional Ministries Report. I cannot emphasize enough how valuable input from individuals and organizations has been in developing these recommendations, all of which can effectively be advanced through the efforts of UUA staff working closely with our partners and constituents. We already are acting on several initiatives in the report, and look forward to sharing our progress with you as these efforts come to fruition."

The Rev. Eric Cherry, Director of International Resources at the UUA, has just returned from meetings with our partners in Japan. While there, he learned of the latest recovery efforts in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami and delivered the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) message of condolence, spiritual support, and solidarity. To support the ongoing work of our interfaith partners, the UUA and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) have created the UUA/UUSC Japan Relief Fund.

Bruce Knotts, executive director of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, speaks out on the Standing on the Side of Love blog: "It’s time to end institutionalized discrimination based on sexual orientation in this country. Tell Congress it is time to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and restore the rights of lawfully married same-sex couples to receive the protections of marriage under federal law."

The Rev. Peter Morales, President of The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), and a delegation of Unitarian Universalists have just returned from visiting the Every Child is Our Child program partners of the UU-UNO in Ghana. In his post on the Faith Without Borders blog, Charles DuMond, a member of this delegation, shares reflections following visits to schools near the Cape Coast and Elmina Castle near Accra.

<p>UUA President the Rev. Peter Morales applauds President Obama's decision to declare his support for the freedom to marry for all loving couples. "Like many Americans, President Obama says his position on this issue has evolved over the years, and today it seems clear that the arc of the universe is bending toward justice," affirms Rev. Morales.</p>

The Rev. Peter Morales, President of The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), is currently with a delegation of Unitarian Universalists visiting the Every Child is Our Child program partners of the UU-UNO in Ghana. Lorella Hess is a member of the delegation, and in her post, shares reflections following visits to schools near Odumase.

The Rev. Peter Morales, President of The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), is currently with a delegation of Unitarian Universalists in Ghana. Their visit includes time with international human rights partner the Manya Krobo Queen Mother&#8217;s Association (QMA). The Queen Mothers are traditional leaders in Eastern Ghana who organized an effective response to the traumatic effects that the HIV/AIDS pandemic was having on children in their community. This latest post discusses the delegation's first day.

The Rev. Peter Morales, President of The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), is currently with a delegation of Unitarian Universalists in Ghana. Their visit includes time with international human rights partner the Manya Krobo Queen Mother&#8217;s Association (QMA). The Queen Mothers are traditional leaders in Eastern Ghana who organized an effective response to the traumatic effects that the HIV/AIDS pandemic was having on children in their community. This latest post discusses the delegation's first day.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) partnered with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) on a joint volunteer trip to Haiti, April 28&#8211;May 5, 2012. In the post below, trip participant Barbara Nelson reflects on the various ways to build foundations &#8212; with rocks and with voices. The UUSC-UUA Haiti Volunteer Program is made possible through the contributions of UUA and UUSC donors and a generous grant from the Veatch Program of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, in Manhasset, N.Y.

For Lent this year, friends and members of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas turned soda, coffee, and wine into water: They gave up those drinks and used the money they saved to create a $20,000 fund &#8212; almost three times their goal &#8212; that will be used to drill two wells in villages in South Sudan And it&#8217;s all because of Bol Deng Malual, 25, one of the &#8220;Lost Boys of Sudan." Bol is one of more than 30,000 young boys who were displaced or orphaned during a civil war in Sudan between 1983 and 2005. Thousands of the boys were brought to the U.S. after years of hiding out and living in refugee camps.

For Lent this year, friends and members of the First Unitarian Church of Dallas turned soda, coffee, and wine into water: They gave up those drinks and used the money they saved to create a $20,000 fund &#8212; almost three times their goal &#8212; that will be used to drill two wells in villages in South Sudan And it&#8217;s all because of Bol Deng Malual, 25, one of the &#8220;Lost Boys of Sudan." Bol is one of more than 30,000 young boys who were displaced or orphaned during a civil war in Sudan between 1983 and 2005. Thousands of the boys were brought to the U.S. after years of hiding out and living in refugee camps.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) on a joint volunteer trip to Haiti, April 28&#8211;May 5, 2012. In the newest post about the trip - along with a video diary entry - participant Orelia Busch reflects on tiny movements and cataclysmic earthquakes. The UUSC-UUA Haiti Volunteer Program is made possible through the contributions of UUA and UUSC donors and a generous grant from the Veatch Program of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, in Manhasset, N.Y.

A delegation of Unitarian Universalists, including UUA President Rev. Peter Morales, arrive in Accra, Ghana, on May 6 to begin a notable visit with &#160;international human rights partner, the Manya Krobo Queen Mother&#8217;s Association (QMA).&#160;The Queen Mothers are traditional leaders in Eastern Ghana who organized an effective response to the traumatic effects that the HIV/AIDS pandemic was having on children in their community. By visiting children, their teachers, the Queen Mothers, and other local officials, the UUA delegation will learn how this community came together and responded to a serious crisis.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) on a joint volunteer trip to Haiti, April 28&#8211;May 5, 2012. In the latest post about this journey, trip staffer Charles Huschle ruminates on the many qualities and skills that the trip participants are bringing to their work in Haiti &#8212; and what they are leaving behind. The UUA-UUSC Haiti Volunteer Program is made possible through the contributions of UUA and UUSC donors and a generous grant from the Veatch Program of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, in Manhasset, N.Y.

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) on a joint volunteer trip to Haiti, April 28&#8211;May 5, 2012. In the introductory post about this journey, trip communications specialist Nicole McConvery of the UUA writes in anticipation of a week filled with learning and growth. The UUA-UUSC Haiti Volunteer Program is made possible through the contributions of UUA and UUSC donors and a generous grant from the Veatch Program of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, in Manhasset, N.Y.

<p>Join us for a once-in-a-lifetime trip to connect firsthand with social justice leaders on the ground in Africa! Visit the Tanzania Gender Networking Program, a UUSC partner working to overcome gender inequality and secure the human right to water. Then travel to Burundi to meet with Rev. Fulgence Ndagijamana and the Assembly of Unitarian Christians of Burundi, a UUA partner, to witness the new congregation&#8217;s local justice work and discuss refugee reintegration and conflict resolution.</p>

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) is partnering with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) on a joint volunteer trip to Haiti, April 28&#8211;May 5, 2012. In the introductory post about this journey, trip communications specialist Nicole McConvery of the UUA writes in anticipation of a week filled with learning and growth. The UUA-UUSC Haiti Volunteer Program is made possible through the contributions of UUA and UUSC donors and a generous grant from the Veatch Program of the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock, in Manhasset, N.Y.

It can be difficult to create space for our spiritual lives in a world crowded with distractions. The Pen and the Bell, from Skinner House Books, addresses the topic of achieving mindfulness and creative fulfillment in spite of long to-do lists. It's about gaining access to our deeper selves in the workaday world, and bringing forth this authentic self in our writing. With both meditative and writing exercises in each chapter, it will help you awaken your creative soul and find a more rewarding life. &#160;

Two years have passed since the implementation of SB1070, and for the first time since my conviction for peaceful civil disobedience while protesting this law in Phoenix, I will join with thousands of Unitarian Universalists from around the country, other people of faith, our local social justice partners and residents of Arizona. We will gather in peace, in solidarity and to bear witness to the truth.

The Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (ICCR) is a 40-year-old network of faith-based investors exercising their power as active shareowners to transform companies. Together, ICCR members promote sustainable practices through engagement with company management. As an active member of ICCR for many years, the UUA has partnered with other faith groups on numerous campaigns. In a post on the Standing on the Side of Love blog, UUA Treasurer and CFO Tim Brennan voices support for the ICCR and the Catholic religious women who work for justice.