Tributes to Rev. Dr. Finley C. Campbell

In this special issue of UUMUAC”s View from the Mountaintop 11 friends provide memories and pictures of  Rev. Dr Finley C. Campbell, 

Rev Campbell was the founder of the Unitarian Universalist Multiracial Unity Action Council. (UUMUAC) 

Finley’s principled anti-racism, so thoroughly uncompromising, led him to an understanding that is still not grasped by many people: that racism in many forms globally is the obstacle that holds back all social progress. 

He fought for multi-racial unity against racism and all other forms of economic, political, social, and cultural discrimination. His work bore fruit, not just in UUMUAC, but in the tens of thousands who have been directly and indirectly influenced by his work and who, in turn, will carry that forward. 

He leaves a hole in the hearts and minds of all who knew him. 

Different Responses to the Current State of Unitarian Universalism

The illiberalism that currently exerts control over the Unitarian Universalist denomination gives rise to many intense feelings. In this essay, reprinted from Issue #7 of the Liberal Beacon,Stephen Palmer aptly describes these reactions with which many of us are currently struggling.

The essay uses the lens of Kubler-Ross’s Stages of Grief model.  This model and Stephen’s comments can help us resolve and turn this grief into positive actions.

The essay is entitled Different Responses to the Current State of Unitarian Universalism

 

Rev. Kake Rhode opens law suit against the UUA

Rev. Kate Rhode has successfully launched her lawsuit against the UUA. In the suit she charges that the UUA unlawfully disfellowshipped her and thus eliminated her pension. This follows a distinguished career as a UU minister. She served many congregations over 40 years of successful UU ministry.

Rev. Rhode has launched a GoFund Me page entitled “Make the UUA Responsible” at which she has (to date) raised over $27,000 on a goal of raising $48,000 for her legal expenses.

At the GoFundMe site she writes

“Recently, here in the U.S., the Unitarian Universalist Association has been captured by ideologues who hold power, silence and even punish dissent, and undermine democratic processes. They have captured ministerial certification and education, have done away with due process, and have surrounded what they are doing with such secrecy that the majority of church members are entirely unaware of what has happened to their formerly liberal faith. The Unitarian Universalist leaders and some laity are admonishing, censuring, and even expelling ministers and members who have run afoul of current orthodoxies.”

We hope her suit is successful and reminds UU leadership that criticism and debate are critical components of a liberal religion and not actions to be silenced.

You are encouraged to support Rev. Rhode financially and by sharing this website with other concerned Unitarians.

 

Liberal Religion – Its History and Values

Photo of Renaissance Art painted on a ceiling. Art is of a woman standing between two men. One man is strapped to a tree, and the other is on his knees by the woman's feet.
Liberal Religion – 
It’s History and Values

In this NAUA Academy Session, Rev. Dr. Todd F. Eklof  discusses the origins and characteristics of liberalism in the Renaissance and Enlightenment periods, how liberalism manifested as Unitarianism in Eastern Europe and, later, in the United States, He goes on to explain why it remains essential to human progress in today’s world.

Top Notch Saturday Community Worship Service

NAUA’s monthly worship for October was service was exceptional. The music was first rate and Rev. Mark Gallager gave a very insightful sermon – Not Fallen Angels: Reconsidering fashionably cynical attitudes about humanity and civilization.

The zoom recording of this service is available at https://youtu.be/lLR_n-f2VBM

A reminder that these monthly services are hosted on the third Saturday of each month starting at 10:00 AM PDT (1:00 PM EDT).  I find it saves time and hassle searching for the Zoom URL, if you paste the zoom address for these services into your calendar as well – https://tinyurl.com/NAUAService

One can always watch the recording, but then you miss what often turns out to be the best part of the service (at least for some) the “coffee hour” discussion.

We hope to see you next and subsequent 3rd Saturdays!.

Latest issue (#7) of the Liberal Beacon

In this month’s issue from the Liberal Beacon Editorial Board:

  • Stephen Polmar uses  Kübler-Ross’s five stages of grief to explain Different Responses to the Current State of Unitarian Universalism.
  • Rev. “Twinkle” Marie Manning  shares her seasonal poem  The Dark Season.
  • Rev. Terry Cummings tells her story that eventually lead to her disfellowship.
  • Stephanie Gronholz and Lynn Jinishian  tell of their successful summer program Letting Kids Be Kids.
  • Lynn Jinishian reviews the book The Scout Mindset: Why Some People See Things Clearly and Others Don’t.
  • Three letters to the editor.
  • Our regular updates from the Membership, Worship and Academy Committees.

We know you will enjoy this issues and we hope you pass it along to a friend or others in your congregation. Finally, we hope you consider joining one the NAUA committees – you will meet some very interesting folks and help us rebuild Liberal Religion.  To find out how to get involved email info@naunitarians.org

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