News Archive
From Interweave Continental
This is the archive of News articles:
Convo 2009, February 13-15
FEB 13-15, the Pacific Unitarian Church is hosting Interweave Continental's Convo 2009 in Rancho Palos Verdes, California! The keynote speaker is Reverend Troy Perry, a long time gay rights activist and founder of the Metropolitan Community Church. In 1978 he was honored by the American Civil Liberties Union Lesbian and Gay Rights Chapter with its Humanitarian Award, and he was recently lauded by the Gay Press Association with its Humanitarian Award. More details and registration.
UUA Video: People of Faith, Standing on the Side of Love(YouTube)
In light of the passage of Proposition 8 in California and similar blows experienced on election day which restrict the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian, queer, and transgender people in other states (Florida, Arizona, Arkansas), the Unitarian Universalist Association has produced a video which makes clear the support of people of faith for marriage equality. The video uses images, gathered from Unitarian Universalists (UUs) across North America, of those who have advocated for marriage equality or been joined in equal marriage; the video also celebrates the role of Unitarian Universalist clergy in officiating at these services. For other formats see UUA.org.
Donate by PayPal or credit card
You can now pay your membership fee or make a donation with PayPal or a credit card. And it is easy to set it to renew your membership and/or make monthly donations. Check it out.
Independent Affiliate Status Approved!
The UUA Board of Trustees has approved Interweave Continental's application to renew its Independent Affiliate status. Thank you to everyone who spoke with or wrote to your District Trustee or the At-Large Trustees!
UUA Bylaws Article II - Principles and Purposes
The UUA Commission on Appraisal has prepared a draft of a new Article II of the UUA Bylaws, which will be considered by the General Assembly in June 2009. Please give your feedback on the Article II Survey. Learn more about what's to come for Article II in this process on the Commission on Appraisal's website by October 16, 2008.
Response to TVUUC Shootings
Please read the Response to the TVUUC Shootings, by Jonalu Johnstone, President of Interweave Continental.
Overflow Crowd Helps Re-Sanctify Knoxville Church Following Violence
The minister and congregation of Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church (TVUUC) rededicated their sanctuary in an emotional service Sunday morning, only a week after a man with a shotgun killed two people attending a service there. MORE>
Interweave Continental President Jonalu Johnstone's statement on shootings in Tennessee
The tragedy at the Tennessee Valley UU Church could have happened at any of our churches. Our first concern, though, must be for the people who were most immediately affected and traumatized. For them, we wish and pray for healing, support, and love.
As they seek healing through the help of our UU Trauma Team and others, we all are called to make sense of the senseless.
Apparently, the shooter who brought destruction and death carelessly into one of our congregations was motivated by anger and hatred for liberals and homosexuals. This declaration could make us angry ourselves. It's hard to face anger directed at you without responding in kind. Anger could make us strike back blindly and thoughtlessly, declaring hatred and anger for conservatives or the NRA.
We have to reject hate altogether, and struggle with our own anger.
We could respond to this attack with fear. Fear could make us freeze, could make us hesitate to state our convictions openly and honestly. Fear could invite us back into closets and turn us away from our communities, striving to make our congregations into havens of safety in a dangerous world, setting them off-limits to strangers.
While we know and feel the fear, we need to overcome it with courage. Courage, after all, is not a lack of fear, but a determination to push past fear to do what we must continue to do.
And we cannot help but respond to this action with sadness. Tears will not cease to fall -- tears for those dead and injured, tears for a broken world where such an event could happen.
We will feel our feelings and need the space and opportunity to do that, finding comfort by struggling through the emotions with one another to support us.
The fact is our churches are religiously liberal and do embrace, accept, and include gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer people. Regardless of our own sexual orientation or gender identity, we continue to reject the idea that these are adequate bases for hate. We need to channel our anger into constructive energy for making the world better, not for striking out against those who would do us harm. In this, we have to remember the teachings of Jesus. We need to admit our fears and overcome them with love, recognizing that "perfect love casts out all fear." We need to acknowledge our sadness and let it inspire us towards the building of a better world.
For the time, being with our feelings and struggling with our meanings may be all we can do. But as the days and weeks move on, let us come together determined to stand on the side of love, expanding the circle of justice and compassion to include even those whose anger would seek to destroy us. Then, we will, indeed, reach the promised land.
Interweave Continental members at GA 2008
GA 2008 in Fort Lauderdale FL was held in a Homeland Security zone. To get in, you had to present a government ID. This is of particular concern to people who have no government ID and to people whose gender presentation does not match the legal Sex on their ID. There was also concern that profiling might cause delays or problems for an unfairly high percentage of youth and people of color. Chaplains were available at the entrance to the Homeland Security zone to support people with security issues, whether their own, their friends, family members, etc. These pictures were taken at the GA Public Witness event which was co-sponsored by Interweave Continental. It was held outside the Homeland Security zone, so that anyone could attend, regardless of whether they had a government ID.
 Standing On The Side Of Love with Imigrant and GLBT Families |  |  |
Sermon Contest Winner Announced!
We congratulate the winner of the 2008 Interweave Continental Sermon Contest, How to Be a Great Ally, Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern. The prize is $250 and preaching the winning sermon at the GA 2008 Interweave Continental Dinner.
IN MEMORY OF FRANK E. ROBERTSON 1936 - 2008
Mr. Robertson was the first out person to be ordained a UU minister. He was a founding member of Interweave Continental, founded to address the concerns of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) concerns. In doing so, he greatly helped other GLBT persons to claim their identity. Through their efforts, the General Assembly was lobbied to pass resolutions concerning GLBT rights and the UUA Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Concerns was established. (MORE>>)
Global Vision Statement of the Summit on Ministry To and With Youth
The Summit on Ministry To and With Youth has released a Global Vision Statement which includes: Strong and healthy youth self-identity; Love and sharing among youth and adults; Sense of belonging, freedom, and responsibility; Purpose and choice; Justice, liberation, and cooperation; Appreciation and stewardship.
Bisexuality Curriculum Released
2007 November 2: Interweave Continental today released the first edition of its new Bisexuality Curriculum. Go to InterweaveContinental.org to find out how to download it to use in your congregation or community group. (posted 2007/11/02)
Carolyn Glenn dies at 84. Brought Hospice to the US
Carolyn Glenn, mother-in-law of Interweave Continental Board member Alan Hamilton, died at 84 on 2007 October 6 of pulmonary disease, one week after celebrating her 60th anniversary. She graduated from nursing school during WWII and earned a Masters at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut, US. Forty years ago, Glenn made a lasting contribution to society when she helped introduce the concept of Hospice in the United States.
Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective On Same-Gender Marriage
Jumping the Broom: A Black Perspective On Same-Gender Marriage, Massachusetts Edition, directly addresses the very real concerns about marriage equality, civil rights, and religious faith that members of the black community often wrestle with when thinking about same-sex marriage, and explains why marriage equality is consistent with the values that the black community holds dear -- and how equal marriage rights fits into the larger struggle for equal rights for all human beings. >>MORE (posted 2007-10-19)
Federal Courts Strike Down Oklahoma's Adoption Invalidation Law
The Adoption Invalidation Law, which was passed and signed into law by Governor Henry at the end of the legislative session in 2004, would have effectively nullified legal adoptions by same-sex couples who live in Oklahoma and theoretically all who may travel through the state. Last week, the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court's ruling striking down an Oklahoma law that could have stripped parental rights from gay couples with adopted children. MORE>>
General Assembly 2007 Responsive Resolution: Confronting Gender Identity Discrimination
The UUA does not govern its member congregations; it is governed by the decisions of our congregations' representatives at General Assembly. UUA representatives limit their official work to subjects of Social Justice Statements passed by General Assembly. While a few GA Resolutions mention transgender people and the UUA has done some work in this area, GA Resolutions grounding anti-oppression work on gender identity have been considered less solid than on sexual orientation / identity. This resolution provides more solid grounding.(resolution text) (Take Action!) (posted 2007/23)
Action of Immediate Witness: Pass the Employment Non-Discrimination Act with Transgender Inclusion and Protection
General Assembly passed a resolution in support of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), specifically with protections for transgender people. This is the first year that ENDA has gotten into committee without deleting protections for transgender people, and it comes in the same year that the city of Largo, Florida, US, fired its City Manager, Steve (now Susan) Stanton for deciding to become a woman. Many UU congregations, especially in Florida, protested this firing. In response to that event, GA passed this ENDA resolution and one Confronting Gender Identity Injustice. (resolution text) (Take Action!) (posted 2007/07/23)
2007 Interweave Sermon Contest Winner: Rev. Jennifer Crow
Interweave Continental is proud to announce the 2007 winner of its annual sermon contest: Rev. Jennifer Crow, for I Believe in You My Soul. Rev. Crow grew up in Maryland; came out at age 17, after arriving at Smith College; found Unitarian Universalism in Northampton, Massachusetts; attended Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, Illinois. She is currently Associate Minister at the First Unitarian Church of Rochester, New York, where she and her partner, Loretta, are anxiously awaiting the birth of their first child. On June 23, 2007, Rev. Crow preached the sermon at the Interweave Continental Dinner, held during General Assembly 2007. (posted 2007/04/02)
Sinkford's Call to Support the Matthew Shepard Act
The Matthew Shepard Act would make a profound difference in the lives of many Americans, but to become law, the bill must next pass the Senate. Find out how you can help. FULL ARTICLE >
Bisexual health: An introduction and model practices for HIV/STI prevention programming
Sexual health issues affecting bisexuals have been largely ignored and underrepresented in academic and professional literature. Many bisexuals have negative experiences with health care providers, whether it is because they are afraid to come out to their providers or because their providers give them improper or incomplete information on HIV/STI prevention. Download the full publication.
Unitarian Universalist President Celebrates Victory for Marriage Equality, June 14, 2007
Today's decision by Massachusetts lawmakers to defeat the marriage amendment is a cause for great rejoicing. On behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Association, I want to thank the legislators who did the right thing by preserving the Massachusetts Constitution and keeping our marriage laws free from discrimination. This decision makes a profound difference in the lives of thousands of couples and families in this state, and it shines as a beacon of hope for same-sex couples across the country. Marriage is a civil right. -Rev. William Sinkford President (posted 2007/06/17)
A Call to Support the Matthew Shepard Act
On April 17th I joined two hundred religious leaders in Washington DC to support equal protection for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender (BGLT) persons and person with disabilities from violent hate crimes. [...] The Matthew Shepard Act would make a profound difference in the lives of many Americans, but to become law, the bill must next pass the Senate. To help make this happen, I have signed a letter from religious leaders urging our Senators to approve the bill soon. I invite my colleagues to join me by adding your name to the letter. Concerned lay persons are encouraged to take action by sending a letter to the Senate to express your support. MORE>> (posted 2007/06/17)
Sinkford Applauds New Hampshire Civil Union Law
On behalf of the Unitarian Universalist Association, I applaud the legislators and governor of New Hampshire for acting to recognize and to protect the loving commitments of same-sex couples. Today's victory is an inspiring example of how the democratic process can work to ensure fairness and respect for all families.
I congratulate everyone who has worked — and who will continue to work — toward full Marriage Equality in New Hampshire. Civil unions represent an important first step, but true equality will come only when the institution of marriage is completely free from discrimination. Marriage is a civil right.
UU Clergy Join Nationwide Call for BGLT Equality; House of Representatives to Vote on Hate Crimes Bill
On Tuesday, April 17, seventeen UU ministers and UUA President William G. Sinkford met in Washington, D.C., to join over 200 religious leaders in lobbying for BGLT equality. Religious leaders from across the country and from diverse faith backgrounds lobbied members of Congress to end workplace discrimination against BGLT people by supporting the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and to pass a much-needed hate crimes bill, bringing inspired presence, strong leadership and prophetic witness to the struggle for BGLT equality. MORE>> (posted 2007/05/03)
90% of Canadian Unitarians and Universalists in Welcoming Congregations
As of April 2007, 90% of Canadian Unitarians and Universalists belong to congregations which have completed, or embarked upon the Welcoming Congregation program! (posted 2007/05/01)
A Statement from UUA President Rev. William Sinkford, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association, on Joint Chiefs Peter Pace's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Comment
2007/04/03 I am deeply disappointed by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff's recent homophobic remarks. General Pace's comments were profoundly disrespectful to gay, lesbian and bisexual Americans, including the thousands in uniform who are serving with honor in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. What saddens me the most is that Pace's comments, while offensive, are well within the bounds of the US armed forces' anti-discrimination guidelines. >>MORE (posted 2007/04/03)
Portland, Oregon, US in June: UU University and UUA General Assembly
June 19-20 UU University, June 20-24 UUA General Assembly. (posted 2007/04/03)
