Monthly Archive

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Five Ways To Live Your Life Without Regrets

July 8, 2009 in Faith Development | Leave a comment

I’m a sucker for quick lists that really get to the point, like Sophie Keller’s recent “Five Ways to Live Your Life without Regrets” at Huffington Post. While the five points may seem a little obvious (or even a little sappy), I think they do a good job of summing up what a life well lived is all about. They are:

Choose Love
Be here. Now!
Take Risks
Make a Difference
Be Patient

These are definitely traits that I would hope to find in a mature person of faith. Read more at Sophie Keller: How Happy Is: 5 Ways To Live Your Life Without Regrets.

Fourteen Tips for Running a Good Meeting

July 3, 2009 in Leadership | Leave a comment

A great post from Gretchen Rubin at Huffington Post on running a good meeting. I especially like tip number fourteen: No chairs! “Bob Sutton…points to a study that showed that people in meetings where everyone stood took 34% less time to make an assigned decision, with decisions that were just as good as those made by groups who were sitting down.” Of course, accommodations would have to be made for those who couldn’t stand for an entire meeting. But imagine a world where meetings took a third less time. The mind boggles.

Unitarian Universalist Association: Top Stories

Reflections Following a Defeat in Maine November 6, 2009
Whatever hurt you may feel, know that your work is valued, appreciated, and respected. The Unitarian Universalist Association has committed itself to standing with you. We know that we must stand together when times are hard, that healing happens through love, and that love will win.
web@uua.org
UUA President Issues Statement on Maine Marriage Equality Defeat November 4, 2009
Morales said, "Unitarian Universalists and other people of faith across America remain firmly committed to equality, and we will not be deterred from working for a better future for same-sex couples and their families."
web@uua.org
UUA Celebrates Obama Signing of Hate Crimes Prevention Act October 29, 2009
Riley said, “Today, our nation’s elected officials have powerfully advanced not just long-overdue legal protections, but our moral leadership. We applaud them for acting to prevent hate-based crimes and standing on the side of love with millions of Americans across the country.”
web@uua.org
Rev. William G. Sinkford Receives 2009 Angus MacLean Award October 28, 2009
Sinkford was cited for his leadership of the UUA, which brought initiatives and institutional changes that enhanced the capacity and expanded the role of UU religious educators to guide and support faith development of Unitarian Universalists at all ages and stages of life.
web@uua.org
UUA Announces Addictions Ministry Resources October 27, 2009
The Addictions Ministry offers resources and information to support reflection and transparency, and to help those with addictions, their families, and their communities along the path to recovery.
web@uua.org

The Interdependent Web

Technology, voting, same-sex marriage, and more November 6, 2009
UUism and TechnologyBill Baar advises fellow UUs to look past the movement and remember that they're part of a church:Marking life's passages. Comforting a spirit. That's what Churches do. Movements don't. (I've belonged. They grind and take. They don't give.)Maybe when trying to stick to visitors, we ought to spend some time ex […]
Eric Fershtman
Discussions on UUism, Hate Crime legislation, and more October 30, 2009
Discussions on UUismUUA Trustee Linda Laskowski has been posting a series of reflections about the October meeting of the Board of Trustees over the course of the last week, including posts on a possible youth leadership training program, reconsidering policies, and the UUSC's humanitarian projects.Peter Bowden discusses Peter Morales's recent anno […]
Eric Fershtman
UU growth, Afghanistan, lies, and more October 23, 2009
UU growth and changePeter Bowden, the new growth consultant for the UUA's Ballou Channing District (southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island), created a new blog detailing strategies and successes in growing congregations:A place to explore the potential of Untiarian Universalism.A place for sharing relevant ideas, experience, and resources.A think tank […]
Eric Fershtman
'Leper status,' social media and ministry, Istanbul, and more October 16, 2009
Religion and theologyDavid Pyle discusses how his bout with swine flu got him thinking about "leper status":Unlike some people our society treats as "contagious", my H1N1 will go away soon... but for the disabled, for those with HIV, for those with PTSD, for those with the results of chemo-therapy, and even those in hospice, they will not […]
Eric Fershtman
The Obamas, personal religious experiences, and more October 9, 2009
The ObamasJoel Monka can't figure out why President Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize:His only peace accomplishment has been to get a hotheaded college professor to sit down with a hotheaded cop to share a beer. That must have been some beer. ("CUUMBAYA," October 9)David Pyle believes Obama won because his election signaled the end of th […]
Eric Fershtman