Unitarians/Expert Profile

Expertise

Lifelong Unitarian Universalist - "UU". Religious Educator: former director for six years, volunteered at all levels of religious education, including youth adviser and teaching Our Whole Lives (OWL) sexuality education. I`m familiar with UU history & resources on the internet. I belong to many UU forums, have attended many congregations, have been continuously active, and have been a delegate at the UU General Assembly (annual national meeting). Have currently been an active member of one of the most racially diverse UU congregations for over 30 yrs. Have been involved in Public Relations and an Internet volunteer and done consulting work for over 15 yrs.

Experience in the area

I live by my faith in treating people with respect and compassion; supporting people through education in many aspects; working against racism, homophobia and other oppressions; supporting many other social justice causes; caring for the earth; and being an active part of the democratic process. Have led workshops and worship services. Have served in most every area of congregational life. Serve in my community in non-religious ways as a reflection of the UU principle of making the world a better place to live.

Organizations

Unitarian Universalist Association; Unitarian Universalist Service Committee; UU Allies for Racial Equality; UUs for Social Justice; my local congregation; local civic organizations; and related organizations, including the NAACP and The Interfaith Alliance

Publications

Contributed to these 3 UU publications: Windmills, Worship and Wonder: Ideas for Intergenerational Worship (1996) and Together Time (2001) published by the Greater Washington Association Religious Education Council; and The Arc of the Universe Is Long: Unitarian Universalists, Anti-Racism and the Journey from Calgary published by Skinner House Books (2009)

Education/Credentials

Completed Unitarian Universalist Association Renaissance Module training for Directors of Religious Education. Took class in religious education from Meadville Lombard Theological School, but decided not to become a minister as I feel I can be more effective as a lay leader. Have attended 6+ Racial Justice Conferences. Have attended over 12 General Assemblies and many workshops, district conferences, and other conferences.

Awards and Honors

United Nations Humanitarian Award (from UU Service Committee nomination) for organizing interfaith service with most faith groups represented in Washington, DC. Received congregational and district awards for work done in the wider community for social justice and for work done in behalf of our faith community.

What do you like about this subject?

My faith helps guide me in my life - it gives me the strength to make my own decisions, set my own course no matter how different from the norm.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

Very much in many ways. It is a life journey and I expect it to be a long one.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

There are Christian Unitarian Universalists and those of many other beliefs. A Unitarian brought the Christmas tree to this country and one also wrote Jingle Bells. The world wide web is also contributed to a UU (the web of life and the world wide web are connected in more ways than one).

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

Unitarian Universalists have a strong belief in the worth and dignity of every person, so we are and have long been leaders in the fight for the civil rights & antiracism movement; the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, lesbian, transgender, queer and questioning people; immigration rights; etc. UUs created the Standing on the Side of Love campaign which is supported by people of many faiths.