Rogue Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship (RVUUF) Ashland, OR

From the Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA): "I'm pleased to announce the public release of the new five-page UUA Strategic Plan for Professional Ministries. The plan, developed by our Professional Ministries Task Force, outlines eight key recommendations gleaned from our 64-page Strategic Review of Professional Ministries Report. I cannot emphasize enough how valuable input from individuals and organizations has been in developing these recommendations, all of which can effectively be advanced through the efforts of UUA staff working closely with our partners and constituents. We already are acting on several initiatives in the report, and look forward to sharing our progress with you as these efforts come to fruition."

The Rev. Eric Cherry, Director of International Resources at the UUA, has just returned from meetings with our partners in Japan. While there, he learned of the latest recovery efforts in the wake of the recent earthquake and tsunami and delivered the Unitarian Universalist Association’s (UUA) message of condolence, spiritual support, and solidarity. To support the ongoing work of our interfaith partners, the UUA and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) have created the UUA/UUSC Japan Relief Fund.

Bruce Knotts, executive director of the Unitarian Universalist United Nations Office, speaks out on the Standing on the Side of Love blog: "It’s time to end institutionalized discrimination based on sexual orientation in this country. Tell Congress it is time to repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and restore the rights of lawfully married same-sex couples to receive the protections of marriage under federal law."

<p>The UUA's Ministries and Faith Development Staff Group has announced publication of a new curriculum titled "With Justice and Compassion: Immigration Sessions for Children&#8217;s Religious Education," by Mandy Neff. This curriculum invites children in grades 1-3 and children in grades 4-6 to explore their own family stories while learning about immigration in the United States. It lifts up justice and compassion as guiding values as we consider immigration justice issues in our own time.</p>

<p>After much discernment with congregational leaders and considering the financial challenges still facing many of our congregations, the Rev. Peter Morales, our Unitarian Universalist Association President, decided that the requested Annual Program Fund contribution will remain at the current $58 per member for the new Fiscal Year 2013 (begins July 1, 2012). Our greatest strength comes from our interconnectedness as partners in this religious community. Thank you for your continued support.</p>

The UUA Board of Trustees was charged with nominating one or more persons for the Moderator position effective with the election that will occur at GA in 2013. The Board has interviewed the recommended candidates and has selected two very fine UU leaders as our nominees for the position of Moderator of the UUA: Jim Key from Beaufort, SC and Tamara Payne-Alex from San Jose, CA. &#160;

<p>In Congregations and Beyond, the Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), offers a vision of the opportunities and challenges that face Unitarian Universalism as an international movement. He presents a strategic direction for Unitarian Universalism consistent with our core values and historic willingness to push beyond pre-determined boundaries. All Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to read, discuss, and share Congregations and Beyond.</p>

In Congregations and Beyond, the Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), offers a vision of the opportunities and challenges that face Unitarian Universalism as an international movement. He presents a strategic direction for Unitarian Universalism consistent with our core values and historic willingness to push beyond pre-determined boundaries. All Unitarian Universalists are encouraged to read, discuss, and share Congregations and Beyond.

Gathered Here, a denomination-wide listening campaign initiated by the Unitarian Universalist Association&#8217;s Board of Trustees and administration, invites congregations and individual UUs across the country to share hopes for the faith through &#8220;Community Conversations&#8221; and one-on-one interviews during the next eight months. The board and administration will use that information to help determine the UUA&#8217;s future.

The Minns Lectureship Committee continues its 2011-2012 lecture series with &#8220;Practicing Compassion and Connection More Fully,&#8221; to be held at First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco on Jan. 20, led by former UUA President the Rev. John Buehrens. The Rev. Bill Sinkford and the Rev. Meg Riley will be panelists at the event. The series will continue the conversation begun at the April 2011 Minns conference, &#8220;Composing Our Unitarian Universalist Future.&#8221; For details and registration information, visit MinnsLectures.org.

The Rev. Donald E. Robinson had already had a long career helping disadvantaged children in Washington, D.C., when he took on one more gargantuan task. In 1991, after more than 30 years of working with Washington youth in juvenile halls and community programs, Robinson founded Beacon House in the Edgewood Terrace neighborhood of Northeast Washington. Over the years Beacon House was adopted by around 15 area UU congregations.

The dwindling of the sun&#8217;s light in autumn is a reminder that even as the old year dies, so must all living things. The shaman helps the tribe to accept this universal dying, to understand it is necessary for new life. When the daylight hours are shortest, we long for assurance that spring will return, that once again the warm sun will nurture growing things and make the earth green. In this time when foliage has all but disappeared, we look to the trees whose evergreen boughs offer us hope.

As part of the UUA's ongoing work for immigration rights and social justice, the Rev. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), has issued a statement in response to the U.S. Department of Justice's report regarding Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Ariz. The statement begins, "I am heartened today that the Department of Justice has finally taken a stand against the blatant civil rights violations of Sheriff Joe Arpaio..."

<p>"Dear Friends, Christmas pageants at church were such a memorable part of my growing up that images of wise men and shepherds always come back to me as the holidays approach. I was fascinated by the three magi and their journey following a star. In much of the Spanish speaking world, children are given presents on the feast of the Epiphany (Jan. 6)&#8212;el d&#237;a de los Reyes Magos&#8212;rather than on Christmas. As a child I tried to imagine the excitement of riding across the desert following a star, convinced that it led to an event of cosmic importance..."</p>

Maria Hinojosa, award-winning broadcast journalist and author, has been selected as the Ware Lecturer for the 2012 Justice GA. She is the anchor and managing editor of NPR&#8217;s Latino USA . In April 2010, Hinojosa launched The Futuro Media Group with the mission to produce multi-platform, community-based journalism that respects and celebrates the cultural richness of the American experience.