Blue Boat of Youth and Young Adult MinistriesA Seat at the Table
A Seat at the Table: The Transformative Practice of Being Together by Lauren Hulse Early this year, the congregation I am a part of in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC), helped bring an Interfaith program called A Seat at the Table (ASATT) to our hometown. The premise is very simple: once a month people from a diversity of faith traditions sit down to share a meal and a conversation. Last week, I got to attend one of these dinners – despite the apparent simplicity of the concept, it was a profound and transformative experience. A Seat at the Table dinners move from place to place each month, landing wherever they can find…
How a UU Congregation Welcomed Me…
For many, leaving their birth congregation is a rending experience, and finding a new home congregation a daunting one. Every instance of this transition is a personal story which, when shared speaks to the universal experience of seeking and belonging. This is the first in a series of responses and reflections by Unitarian Universalist young adults on their experience being welcomed into a UU congregation that was new to them, prompted by a comment by Kenny Wiley, UU World Senior editor. – Ed. Kenny Wiley comments: “What’s a time you felt welcomed or affirmed by a faith community, be it a one-time thing or a sustained experience? I keep thinking about the UU church in Columbia,…
Fiercely UU: Rethinking Normativity
Fiercely UU is a blog series where Unitarian Universalist young adults tell stories about what our faith requires of us and how they follow that call. To be fiercely UU is to proclaim human worth and interdependence. In an individualist, greed-based, shame and fear fueled white supremacist patriarchy, we say no to isolation and oppression and yes to radical love and covenanted connection. Rethinking Normativity by Jaime Jarrett I came out to my parents when I was seventeen while they were watching an episode of Glee – a famously queer television show. They didn’t make a big deal out of it, and since then have been intensely supportive of all my relationships. I came out as…
Losing Our Chains
Aisha participated in this summer’s Thrive Young Adult leadership school for Unitarian Universalist young adults of color. – ed. by Aisha Ansano The five days I spent with my Thrive Young Adult cohort were vibrant and life-giving. So many parts of it stand out, moments that were uplifting, and challenging, and heart-breaking. New friends who I knew would be beside me every step of the way as I moved forward in my life. And new practices that I could engage with to deepen my own life. Every morning, a different member of our cohort led us in a short spiritual practice. It was the best way to start the day: all gathered in the chapel, bellies…
This is Who I Am – by Allysha Dunnigan
Since the day I was born I have been linked to a unique and distinct religion. Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion characterized by a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” This is the community that I have identified with for as long as I can remember. Growing up Unitarian Universalist exposed me to inimitable opportunities and circumstances that molded me into the person I am today. Being raised in the Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Lynn always made me feel like I had a reliable and trustworthy community that always had my back. I grew up surrounded by fun, exciting, and loving church members that made me feel like church was the best…
Fiercely UU: Resisting Evil
Fiercely UU is a blog series where Unitarian Universalist young adults tell stories about what our faith requires of us and how they follow that call. To be fiercely UU is to proclaim human worth and interdependence. In an individualist, greed-based, shame and fear fueled white supremacist patriarchy, we say no to isolation and oppression and yes to radical love and covenanted connection. Cultivate Love, Resist Evil by Cir L’Bert Jr. On August 9, 2014 Michael Brown, was killed by Darren Wilson of the Ferguson Police Department within view of the home he shared with his mother. His unattended body laid in the street for eight hours before it was removed, like “he didn’t belong to nobody” as…
Forge a Just Future with UU Women all Over the World
Discounted Registration Rate for Young Adult Women The International Women’s Convocation affirms each person’s right to identify for themselves who they are and to express themselves in a way that is authentic to them. Members of the International Women’s Convocation include individuals who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex or questioning. You are invited to attend the Third International Convocation of Unitarian*Universalist Women and People of Progressive Faith February 16-19, 2017, at the Asilomar Conference Center in Pacific Grove, CA, USA! The theme of this Convocation is Weaving Global Partnerships…Forging a Just Future Together. The Convocation offers community and connection, information and inspiration, as well as motivation and momentum that lead to…
Fiercely UU: Redefining Bravery
Fiercely UU is a blog series where Unitarian Universalist (UU) young adults tell stories about what our faith requires of us and how they follow that call. To be fiercely UU is to proclaim human worth and interdependence. In an individualist, greed-based, shame and fear fueled white supremacist patriarchy, we say no to isolation and oppression and yes to radical love and covenanted connection. – ed. Redefining Bravery by Em Kianka I’ve always been hard on myself about being brave. When push comes to shove, I generally avoid conflict, or “risky” situations, or I become passive. Public speaking, at least in the past, has been a completely draining exercise that I need an entire weekend from which…
Rally in Front of Wendy’s at General Assembly!
Rally for Economic Justice at General Assembly! This General Assembly we are protesting outside of Wendy’s! Why? To get better wages and working conditions for the farm workers who have supplied Wendy’s tomatoes. When asked by the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) to sign onto the Fair Food Program, McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Subway all said yes. Wendy’s responded by moving their business to a new tomato supplier based in Mexico. This new supplier, Bioparques, was prosecuted for slavery in 2013. Workers there have testified that they were trapped in camps without beds, fed on scraps, and beaten when they tried to quit. Join the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), Unitarian Universalist Association…
Fiercely UU: Sitting in for Democracy
Fiercely UU is a blog series where Unitarian Universalist (UU) young adults tell stories about what our faith requires of us and how they follow that call. To be fiercely UU is to proclaim human worth and interdependence. In an individualist, greed-based, shame and fear fueled white supremacist patriarchy, we say no to isolation and oppression and yes to radical love and covenanted connection. – Ed. Our Fifth Principle and Sitting in for Democracy by Laura Williamson Last month I sat on the steps of the U.S. Capitol with 300 others singing, chanting, and eventually being arrested, to send a message to Congress: amend the Constitution to get big money out of politics and restore the right…
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