by Russ Araujo

The 2022 Universalist Convocation gathered at All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in Bellville, Ohio, on July 29 through 31. For Rae Jane and me, this was our sixth Convocation.

David Damico, editor of the Universalist Herald, the oldest continuously-published liberal religious magazine in North America, talked about his background and how he runs the magazine. For each of the four yearly issues he picks a theme and invites articles that can come from both ministers and lay people. (For more information, see http://www.universalist-herald.org/.)

Jay Kiskel, board member of UU Studies Network, formerly UU History and Heritage Society, gave a talk on “History of the Young People’s Christian Union (Y.P.C.U.).” In the later 1800s and early 1900s, the Y.P.C.U. was a grassroots organization of youth and young adults which grew quickly and did a lot of successful missionary work spreading the Universalist message and establishing churches. Kiskel also traced the repeated rise and fall of our denomination’s youth organizations. He noted that the youth organizations of the Unitarians and the Universalists formally merged in the 1950s, nearly ten years before the consolidation of the two denominations in 1961. The last national UU youth organization, the Young Religious Unitarian Universalists (YRUU), was disbanded by the UUA Board of Trustees in 2008.

Rev. Dr. V. Elaine Strawn, Co-chair of the regional Commissioned Lay Ministry Council, gave a talk titled “Breaking Open Our Hearts.” She noted how often it is that we might say to ourselves, “That man cut me off in traffic. What an idiot!” or “That woman voted for so-and-so. What an idiot!” She suggested that we should add three words to our internal monologue. “That man cut me off in traffic. What an idiot, just like me!” and “That woman voted for so-and-so. What an idiot, just like me!”

Rev. Schuyler Vogel, Senior Minister of the Fourth Universalist Society in New York City, talked on “Not for Ourselves Alone.” He started with the observation that mainline churches in America are in decline, and that UUism is also in a decline, though one that is somewhat less steep. He described how reaching out to the wider community can save Universalism both as an ethic and in physical terms. In the case of the Fourth Universalist Society, it actually helped obtain a new roof and thereby save the church building.

On Sunday, All Souls Church celebrated its 200th anniversary. Its minister, Rev. William Humphrey, asked the question, “What is Universalism?” and solicited answers from those in the sanctuary. Among those who gave their thoughts were several members of the All Souls congregation. I was struck by how their answers involved theology. I surmise that in the rural area served by this church, surrounded by evangelical Christians and Biblical literalists, to say that Universalism is about “including all people” would be a vague answer without power. In the present day and place, when the prevailing message was that God would send a person to Hell if they did not believe a certain way, the response of the Universalists was that God, who is love, will not send anyone to eternal torment in an everlasting Hell.

A big part of the Convocation was the chance to talk with many people informally. One attendee remembered when Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church in Cincinnati hosted the Convocation in 2014. What they remembered particularly was the wonderful food we provided!

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can watch videos of these Convocation talks:

History of the Young Peoples’ Christian Union, Jay Kiskel
https://youtu.be/tqS7G7HGp6o

Breaking Open our Hearts, Rev Dr. V. Elaine Strawn
https://youtu.be/yPncfYhMaKM

Not For Ourselves Alone: a Universalist Survival Guide, Rev. Schuyler Vogel
https://youtu.be/m5Nq5x3kgIg

The 2023 Universalist Convocation will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (For more information, see https://universalistconvocation.org/.)

8/3/2022.

Sunday, September 11, 7:00 p.m. at St. John’s UU Church.

The St. John’s Men’s Group invites any and all area UUs interested in learning about the U.S. Supreme Court’s most recent decisions and the upcoming term to its annual public program on September 11, at St. John’s UU Church, 320 Resor Ave., Cincinnati OH 45220. UC Professor emeritus and OLLI instructor Howard Tolley, talking on “Supreme Conservative Activism,” will provide an overview of the court’s transformative decision-making on abortion, gun rights, environmental protection, business regulation, voting rights, affirmative action and more. Walk-ins are welcome; no pre-registration is required, but all should wear a mask.

2022.

by Rebecca Pace

I enjoyed being one of your delegates to the 2022 Unitarian Universalist Association’s General Assembly in Portland, Oregon. Please come to the HUUC worship service, on August 7, to hear from all of your delegates, about the business of the UUA.

One of the things that struck me is how little involvement many congregations, across the country, have with the UUA, and how many members are uninformed about the changes being implemented by the Board of Trustees.

Business resolutions are usually voted on by less than 20%* of our electorate, that is, potential authorized delegates, and usually pass with high margins. When I spoke with delegates on site, many did not know that rules severely limited the ability of Board candidates, by petition, to campaign or voice their concerns; that a number of ministers resigned from the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association en masse in protest of certain decisions; that letters to the editors of UU World are no longer being published; or about many other Board and UUMA actions that I find troubling.

Most of the Portland GA agenda focused on discussing Article 2 of the UUA’s Bylaws. Massachusetts requires our Bylaws to state the purpose of our organization. We considered two different drafts of the purpose clause. We did not vote on these, but were encouraged to provide feedback. The final proposals will be presented to the UUA Board in January 2023, and will be voted on at the General Assembly in Pittsburgh in June, 2023.

The UUA Board’s Charge to the Article II Study Commission is lengthy. You can find it here: https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission/charge

In considering these drafts, keep in mind that the charge to the Article 2 Study Commission, at one point, states, “The Board would like to see an Article II that is inspirational, memorable and poetic. The language should be inclusive and welcoming, and explicitly anti-racist.” For several years the Board of Trustees has encouraged staff to move away from language of the “Enlightenment,” as they claim it is the root of “White Supremacy Culture,” and instead use “Post Modern” terminology.

This is our current Purposes Statement:

Section C-2.2. Purposes.

The Unitarian Universalist Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its corporate powers for religious, educational and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Association is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Unitarian Universalist institutions and implement its principles.

This is Draft Purpose A:

The UU Association shall devote its resources to and exercise its organizational powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes. Its primary purposes are to equip congregations for vital ministry, to support and train leaders both lay and professional, to heal historic inequities, and to advance UU values in the world. We do all this consistent with our theological pluralism.

And here is Draft Purpose B:

The UUA’s purpose is to grow and resource faith communities that support people through their lives’ journeys and transform the world by liberating ourselves through love. We make that love real through care and justice for ourselves, for our communities, and for the larger web of existence that we are all in. We are called upon to risk ourselves for love.

What do you think of the drafts? Does either one convey your understanding of the purpose of the UUA? Let me know.

Please, join us on August 7 and learn more about our UUA and your delegates’ experiences at GA.

---

*For example: 2022 Business Resolution 2. To suspend a portion of the bylaws: Vote held on Thursday, June 23, 2022. If every congregation sent their full slate of delegates there would have been 4,828 delegates voting, but in fact only 821 delegates voted on this resolution. (A 17% voter turnout) The measure passed with 95.6% of those who voted, voting in the affirmative. Only about half of the registered delegates even voted.

---

7/15/2022.

Sunday, September 25, 2022. Check-in at 9:30 a.m. Walk at 11:00 a.m.

The Unitarian Universalist Council of Greater Cincinnati is sponsoring a joint UU participation in the local Walk to Defeat ALS. We are participating in this fundraiser in honor of Leslie Edwards, a member of the Gathering at Northern Hills, who prior to his death in 2019 was the oldest living Tuskegee airman in the Greater Cincinnati area. Mr. Edwards was also a grandson of Rev. W.H.G. Carter, who pastored the Church of the Unitarian Brotherhood in the West End of Cincinnati in the 1920’s and 1930’s, and Rev. Carter’s wife Beulah Carter. We are participating in this fundraiser walk to honor a request from the Leslie Edwards family. Mr. Edwards suffered from ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a disease that especially affects veterans. The funds raised by the walk will have a direct impact on the quality of life of those living with ALS today, by making local care and services available.

The walk will be a two-mile loop at the Harper Meadows area of Winton Woods Park. Check in will be at 9:30 am, with a photo opportunity at 10:30, a program at 10:45, and the walk beginning at 11:00 am. Those who cannot walk are encouraged to stroll or roll or to show up to cheer for those who will. Those who cannot be with us on September 25 are welcome to participate virtually by doing your two miles at another time and place or by contributing financially to the defeat of ALS in recognition of those who will walk, stroll or roll. There will be shelters and picnic tables set up for large groups.

When you visit the Walk to Defeat ALS Cincinnati web site (bit.ly/2022WalkToDefeatALS), you can register by joining the Leslie Edwards Unitarian Universalist Team. The UU Council of Greater Cincinnati will match the first $250 raised by the Leslie Edwards UU Team. Daniel Schneider is listed as the team captain. After you register, you will get information to help you ask others to contribute financially in honor of your walk and the cause of defeating ALS.

If you have any questions or want to get involved, please contact either of the two people listed below.

Contact Dan Schneider at:

Contact Sabura Rashad at:

 

7/2/2022.

Sunday, July 31 through Sunday, August 7. Offsite.

The Unitarian Universalist Council of Greater Cincinnati will participate in the fifth annual Festival of Faiths. The theme of the festival is Compassion through Action: Working for the Common Good.

Most of the events will be online, including the Interfaith Devotional Observance on Sunday, July 31, at 1:30 pm.

The festival will conclude on Sunday, August 7, with an exhibition at the Cintas Center at Xavier University, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m. The UU Council will be one of the exhibitors.

For more information, including the complete schedule for the week, please visit equasion.org, the web site of the sponsor, EquaSion (Equality, Spirituality, Inclusion). All are welcome.

To volunteer to be present at the UU table and help us represent Unitarian Universalism, please contact Dan Schneider at:

Objects of UU Council

To provide a central organization to address common concerns and needs of the Unitarian Universalists in the Greater Cincinnati area.

To promote the wellbeing of member congregations through the provision of programs, training and services.

To emphasize the importance of participation in denominational affairs and to enlist and develop leadership from participating congregations.

To increase awareness of the principles and concepts of the Unitarian Universalist movement in the Greater Cincinnati area.

To encourage engagement in the Greater Cincinnati community based on Unitarian Universalist Principles.

To serve as the public face of Unitarian Universalism in the Greater Cincinnati area through participation in interfaith organizations.

Members

The members are First Unitarian Church, the Gathering at Northern Hills, Harmony Unitarian Universalist Community, Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church, Hopedale Unitarian Universalist Community, and St. John’s Unitarian Universalist Church.

Meetings

The UU Council met four times in 2021 (February 13, May 8, September 11, and November 13). All meetings took place using online Zoom technology because of concerns about the coronavirus pandemic. Meetings included updates from each of the six congregations and from the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati (MARCC), Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO), and the Kentucky Unitarian Universalist Justice Action Network (KUUJAN). The council continued the practice of having discussions of topics of interest to the member congregations. Vice President Carol Fencl facilitated the discussions. The topics for 2021 were the following:

Is Our Democracy in Danger?, February 13

MARCC Court Watch, May 8

Anti-Racism, September 11

Decision Making by the UU Council, November 13

MARCC

The UU Council was originally formed so that local UU congregations could have a united voice as a member of MARCC. As a part of MARCC, we participate in annual meetings with people from many faith traditions to choose two major issues to focus on for the coming year. Currently MARCC is concentrating on displacement/affordable housing/homelessness and on community-police relations/justice reform. MARCC has established a court watch program, and judges and attorneys have praised the program for helping to shine light on our criminal justice system.

Joint Service

Members of the local congregations participated in a joint YouTube worship service on Sunday, May 9. The service included participation of lay and clergy representatives of the Greater Cincinnati UU congregations. Speakers and music shared the good news of Unitarian Universalism, and an offering was taken for UUJO.

Bylaws Revision

The Executive Committee proposed a revision of the Bylaws that had been most recently amended in 2012. The proposal was discussed by those present at the February 13 meeting and unanimously approved by those present at the May 8 meeting. Many of the changes were designed to give greater flexibility to future leaders of the council, and others were designed to bring the Bylaws in line with current practice. Important changes included the following:

Not naming specific congregations.

Removing the specific dollar amount per member for dues and stating that the dollar amount would be approved each year as part of the annual budget.

Stating that the fiscal year begins on July 1.

Stating that the council meets at least four times per year.

Replacing reliance on Robert’s Rules of Order with a statement that decisions would normally be arrived at through consensus. Votes would be taken when electing officers or amending the Bylaws, or when a consensus of those present could not be reached.

Workshop at General Assembly

MJ Pierson facilitated a well-received workshop on the MARCC court watch program at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in June.

UU Council Anti-Racism Circle

As a follow-up to the anti-racism discussion at the September 11 meeting, the UU Council formed an anti-racism circle that has been meeting regularly by Zoom.

Leadership

President, Dan Schneider
Vice President, Carol Fencl
Secretary, Libby Earle
Treasurer, Rae Jane Araujo
MARCC Representative, Carole Womeldorf

by Rebecca Pace

Last month I had the opportunity to attend the 2021 Universalist Convocation in Sandy Springs, Georgia. It was an upbeat event—mainly a reunion of clergy and historians who research and appreciate our rich Universalist history, before the 1961 merger.

The day was packed with speakers, live and remote. A couple of them focused on the first Convocation, in 1990. Notes from that initial meeting and the memories of those who attended, remark on the spirit and enthusiasm generated by worshiping together.

Other speakers focused on the relevance of Universalism today. Rev. Peter Morales’ theme was “Blow on the Coal of the Heart: The Universalist Sensibility in an Unbelieving World.” “Community develops from doing together,” he said. A congregation needs to focus on relationships, community with each other. “This is holy.”

I had the opportunity to ask him, “What makes a healthy congregation; Strident social justice activism, protests and publicity, or quieter work, like working in food pantries and building Green Sanctuary congregations?”

He reminded us that he had been in Colorado at the time of the Columbine shooting. “Some situations demand an immediate, robust response,” he said. But things change slowly. “Over the long term the search for justice leads to bitterness. Anger becomes consuming.” Anger will not sustain a loving, spiritual community.

Recently some UU congregations have been faced with disagreements about how active they should be on social justice issues. I saw a post the other day that said, “Unitarian Universalism is a liberal religion, not a religion for liberals.” Let’s make sustaining sacred community our goal.

By the way, the 2022 Universalist Convocation will be in Bellville, Ohio. Perhaps you’ll want to be there.

8/23/2021.

by Rebecca A. Pace

I love being a member of Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church. Recently I had a bout of Covid-19. I was overwhelmed by the number of you who reached out to me with concern and offers of support. That is the Spirit of Love that “is the Spirit of this Church.”

To me, that Spirit of Love is defined by our Seven Principles, from the First Principle, “The inherent worth and dignity of every person”, reaching outward through community, with justice and encouragement, and into the world with the Seventh Principle, “Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”

The Seven Principles are a deeply spiritual touchstone, but did you know they are actually enshrined as Article II of our Unitarian Universalist Association Bylaws?

Our bylaws also require us to periodically review Article II, to be sure it remains relevant over the passage of time.

An Article II Commission has been established to review our Principles, make recommendations for changes in wording, and perhaps even to add or remove some Principles. During the annual UUA General Assembly in June, I attended several workshops on the function of the Principles and how they apply to us today.

On the last day of the Assembly there was a vote, which passed, to call for the inclusion of an accountable action statement, on anti-racism, as a part of our Principles. Although the vote on this Responsive Resolution is not binding, it represents a change in tone at our core.

Recommendations for revisions to Article II will be voted on at the General Assembly in June 2022 and again in June 2023.

There were other initiatives promoted at General Assembly. We agreed on a response to the inequities exposed during the pandemic. Titled “The Covid-19 Pandemic: Justice. Healing. Courage,” the UUA Commission on Social Witness will help congregations connect and implement ideas for congregation-based programs for mutual aid, education, advocacy, healing and wellness. We will also be working together to seek changes through legislation.

And here, at Heritage, several of us have signed up for the August 7 webinar on Environmental Justice, exploring actions we can take at the intersection of racial justice and environmental health. See information on that elsewhere in the August Heirloom, or go directly to the HUUC website article Connecting the Dots.

Together we can take that Spirit of Love into our world.

7/27/2021.

by Rae Jane Araujo

Unitarian Universalists are stronger and more effective working together than separately. The Unitarian Universalist Council of Greater Cincinnati meets quarterly and includes delegates from all six of the UU congregations in Greater Cincinnati. We share news and ideas on how to effectively achieve our missions and live the UU principles.

The UU Council originated in the 1960’s as leaders of many diverse religious traditions came together to address serious issues facing our city. An interfaith organization, the Metropolitan Area Religious Coalition of Cincinnati (MARCC), was formed to speak with a strong, united voice to address social concerns such as racism and poverty. Local UU congregations decided to form a local united organization so that we could be a significant part of MARCC.

As a part of MARCC, we participate in annual meetings with people from many faith traditions to choose two major issues to focus on for the coming year. Currently, MARCC is concentrating on displacement/affordable housing/homelessness and on community-police relations/justice reform. In cooperation with the Catholic Archdiocese, MARCC has established an identification card that can be carried by any resident of Hamilton County and is particularly valuable for undocumented immigrants and recently incarcerated people. MARCC has established a court watch program that a number of members of First Unitarian Church and St. John’s UU Church have participated in. Judges and attorneys have praised the program for helping to shine light on our criminal justice system.

The UU Council has taken the lead on important joint UU projects. On March 4, 2012, Lee Meyer, from First Unitarian, was the project chair for the March Forth for Justice event on immigration justice at the Sharonville Convention Center. The keynote speaker was Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, at that time Minister of the UU Congregation in Phoenix, Arizona (and now President of the national Unitarian Universalist Association). The UU Council coordinates local UU participation in the Cincinnati Pride Parade and in the Festival of Faiths. The council contributes financially to Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO), and at our September UU Council meeting UUJO representatives led a conversation on UU the Vote.

Local UU Council leaders and others met recently to discuss a united local participation in Beloved Conversations, an anti-racism program from Meadville-Lombard Theological School that a few of our members have already been involved with. Ann Jarboe, Vicki Freimuth, and I are the Heritage representatives to the UU Council, and we would welcome others. To learn more, please contact any of the three of us, or call me at 513-638-5746.

Rae Jane Araujo

1/14/2021.

Unitarian Universalist Justice Ohio (UUJO) is a UU social justice network organization, and Heritage UU Church is a member congregation. On Saturday, November 21, 2020, UUJO held its annual assembly—via Zoom, of course. You can watch three videos from the meeting here.

Opening Remarks, followed by an address by Rev. Connie Simon, Minister of First Unitarian Church of Cincinnati.

Business Meeting, led by Tadd Pinkston, UU Church of Cleveland, UUJO Board of Trustees.

Remarks by Rev. Dr. Susan Smith, founder and Minister of Crazy Faith Ministries, Columbus.

Posted 11/24/2020.