InterConnections is not the only source of useful information for lay leaders. Check out uuworld.org for articles about UUA changes and congregational activities. Here are some recent ones:

• In December the UUA signed on as a friend of the court to a Supreme Court religious freedom case [Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Lutheran Church and School v. EEOC] regarding a disabled woman who was fired from her teaching position at a religious elementary school. She filed a claim for discrimination. At issue was whether a secular government had the power to resolve religious disputes or select ministers. In its brief the UUA said the school should not be exempt from discrimination laws. (12.19.11)

• An article on Gathered Here, a denomination-wide listening campaign initiated by the UUA Board of Trustees and administration. (1.16.12)

• Article on ways that various UU congregations are preparing for General Assembly 2012, including education and advocacy around immigration issues. (2.15.12)

• Profile of an all-ages book group at the Unitarian Church of Evanston, Illinois. (2.15.12)

• Article on ways that congregations responded to the “Thirty Days of Love” Standing on the Side of Love campaign between Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Valentine’s Day. (2.27.12)

• UUA looking beyond traditional congregations. Article on ways of identifying and including people who may not be part of “conventional” congregations but who identify as UU. (3.12.12)

• Congregations encouraged to study Doctrine of Discovery. The premise that European Christian explorers who “discovered” other lands had the authority to claim those lands and subdue peoples of those lands will be a topic taken up at General Assembly 2012. (3-26-12)

About the Author

Don Skinner

Don Skinner is editor of InterConnections and a member of the Shawnee Mission UU Church in Lenexa, Kansas.

Website