Engaging Our Theological Diversity

Appointed by the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations in 2017, the UUA Commission on Institutional Change served through June 2020. Widening the Circle of Concern: Report of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change represents the culmination of the Commission’s work analyzing structural and systemic racism and white supremacy culture within Unitarian Universalism and makes recommendations to advance long-term cultural and institutional change that redeems the essential promise and ideals of Unitarian Universalism. The members and staff of the UUA Commission on Institutional Change were Chair Rev. Leslie Takahashi, Mary Byron, Cir L’Bert Jr., Rev. Dr. Natalie Fenimore, Dr. Elías Ortega, Caitlin Breedlove, DeReau K. Farrar, and Project Manager Rev. Marcus Fogliano.

Theology today is faced with increasing amounts of religious and theological pluralism. What is distinctive about Christian theology? Why do these ideas matter? And the biggest question of all: Who cares? Key aspects of orthodox theology are seen as speculative and irrelevant to "authentic" Christianity and to personal spirituality. While not succumbing to the pragmatism of the age, this book shows that key elements of Christian theology ground an integrated worldview and are essential for spiritual formation. Engaging Theology is an introductory theology textbook that grounds a treatment of standard systematic topics in the wider context of life and practice and shows the relevance of each doctrine to the church. The book treats the essential doctrines of Christian orthodoxy by following the pattern of story, doctrinal exposition, theological relevance, and spiritual relevance: Story: Each chapter begins with a brief and engaging account of the historical situation out of which the doctrine arose or where it played an essential role in the development of the church, showing students that orthodox theology matters and introducing them to most of the key theologians in the history of the church. Doctrinal Exposition: The heart of the chapter is exposition of key elements of the doctrine, highlighting core and debated elements while clarifying heterodox perspectives. Integrated with the narrative account this section also models the contextualized nature of theology. Each chapter includes biblical, historical, and contemporary views on the issue and notes key figures in the debates and their influence. Theological Relevance: While theological relevance is clear throughout each chapter, this section highlights relevance to the modern setting and concerns, including interaction with heterodox and non-Christian faiths. It identifies current theological problems besetting the church and shows how a proper understanding and integration of orthodox theology addresses these problems. It also points to other problems the church is facing for interesting discussion starters. Spiritual Relevance: Since orthodox theology has a direct influence on one's own spiritual formation and practice, each chapter concludes with practical encouragements and discussions about how each doctrine can be integrated in one's personal and corporate life. Engaging Theology is ideal for students and everyday people living in a post Christian era to help them seriously engage with the Christian faith.

"How complex is the relationship between ministry and authority in our congregations? Come find out what the Commission on Appraisal has learned from focus groups all over the country and dedicated listserv conversations. Help us make the most of the coming year as we zero in on particular case studies."--Program guide.

How is a free faith expressed, organised and governed? How are diverse spiritualities and theologies made compatible? What might a religion based in reason and democracy offer today's world? This book will help the reader to understand the contemporary liberal religion of Unitarian Universalism in a historical and global context. Andrea Greenwood and Mark W. Harris challenge the view that the Unitarianism of New England is indigenous and the point from which the religion spread. Relationships between Polish radicals and the English Dissenters existed and the English radicals profoundly influenced the Unitarianism of the nascent United States. Greenwood and Harris also explore the US identity as Unitarian Universalist since a 1961 merger and its current relationship to international congregations, particularly in the context of twentieth-century expansion into Asia.

This book is an interdisciplinary exploration of the intertwining impact of violent trauma, culture, and power through case studies of two ministries serving in different demographic contexts within the United States. Mass shootings continue to rise in the United States, including in religious and school contexts, and the U.S. also is ground zero for the now international Black Lives Matter movement. The author shows how all forms of violent trauma impact more than individuals –devastating communal relationships and practices of religious or spiritual meaning-making in the aftermath, and assesses how these impacts differ according to lived experiences with culture and power. Looking at the two ministries, an urban grassroots lay ministry organization that serves surviving family members in the aftermath of homicide, and a denominational ministry that served a church in the aftermath of a political and religiously motivated shooting, the author develops trauma-specific interdisciplinary tools for lived religion studies. "This book powerfully utilizes an intersectional lens to highlight the inter-interconnections to be found for those working in faith communities, as well as mental health. Walsh provides the reader with an opportunity to explore and develop theoretical and practice perspectives that include: race and ethnicity, religion and spirituality, social class and ability, sexual orientation, immigration and refugee status, and explores the impact that oppression and discrimination have on our communities and society. I highly recommend this book for those who are engaged in working to combat domination at the local, national and global levels." - Gary Bailey, Simmons College, USA

From heretical theologies to progressive social justice and the core of liberal faith, author Matthew Tittle talks about what many preachers can't-or won't-in Taking Back Faith. "Matt Tittle's sermons are full of insights and surprises. Whether drawing from children's literature to celebrate the role of friendship in personal salvation, or tapping his Navy experience to explore the nature of personal integrity, Matt approaches significant subjects from fresh and unexpected perspectives. This first collection will leave you wanting more." -Reverend Gail Lindsay Marriner, minister, First Unitarian Universalist Church, Houston, Texas "Matt Tittle is a preacher who has been touched with the ability to provide it all: ideas that allow the purpose of one's life to emerge, stories that stretch one to deeper spirit, and wisdom gained from the insights of his own living. We are fortunate to have this budding new preacher in our midst. He is helping us to grow into our best selves!" -Reverend Dr. Lee Barker, president, Meadville Lombard Theological School, Chicago, Illinois "Matt Tittle preaches out of an honesty that empowers. He delivers not THE Good News, but his good news in a voice that holds and supports his readers. I wish I could have heard him preach each of these sermons. So will you." -Reverend William Sinkford, president, Unitarian Universalist Association, Boston, Massachusetts

The Grandmother Galaxy is one womans journey into three spirals of learning that have emerged and confront us in the 21st century--womens creative spirituality, a growing appreciation of our earthly home, and a deepening respect for the varied cultures created by human beings. In each of these spirals the image of a fierce and powerful old woman arises as central to our journey. If wise old women were visible and powerful perhaps we would all be better educated about the female half of our religious history. If we honored the crone as a symbol of our earthly transformation, the cycle of death and new life, perhaps we would be less likely to destroy the life-giving systems of our planet. If we learned to respect indigenous cultures where ol;d women are still revered, perhaps we could stem the violence against women, and between cultures, that pervades so much of our world. The Grandmother Galaxy explores some of these possibilities and asks: Could a growing galaxy of grandmothers lead us onto new paths for the future?