By Rev. Christian Schmidt

For First Parish in Cambridge, a move to hosting a shelter for homeless youth and young adults wasn’t just a nice thing to do, it was a chance to fulfill its mission.

In a new collection of meditations, Vanessa Southern ponders life passages, ways of looking at the world, and the many possibilities for building a life of meaning. Part of the InSpirit series, previously known as the Meditation Manual series.

The local service project at the UUA’s 2015 General Assembly is with Portland, Oregon’s Reentry Transition Center (RTC), helping formerly incarcerated people transition back into the community. 

Rev. Jan Taddeo: “Unitarian Universalists step out into the unknown all the time.”

The Rev. Peter Morales, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), issued this statement following recent events and new developments in Baltimore, MD, following the death of Freddie Carlos Gray, Jr.: “Today the Baltimore Police Department handed over to prosecutors the results of its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of Freddie Gray while in police custody.

The minister of First Unitarian Church in Baltimore reflects on justice, protest, and what we can do in Baltimore.

On April 25, communities in Nepal, India, and Bangladesh suffered a devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake. So far, reports reveal that more than 4,000 people have died and thousands more are injured or missing. Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) President Bill Schulz and Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) President Rev. Peter Morales have issued this joint statement in response to this tragedy: 

Unitarian Universalists around the world are turning their caring thoughts and prayers to the people impacted by the disaster unfolding in Nepal. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) are considering options for effective response. And, the UUA’s Holdeen India Program Director, Derek Mitchell, is in direct communication with grassroots organizations – including the All India Disaster Mitigation Institute – as our global partners mobilize. In the midst of the crisis, let us begin in prayer and prepare for further response.

Unitarian Universalists (UUs) and other people of faith and conscience across the country are participating in Climate Justice Month from World Water Day (March 22) to Earth Day (April 22). The month is a time of reflection and spiritual grounding leading to commitment to long-term actions for climate justice. 

The American philosopher, academic, activist, author, and public intellectual Dr. Cornel West will speak to thousands of Unitarian Universalists this summer at our annual meeting and convention, the UUA General Assembly.