Entries from April 2008

April 30, 2008

Possibly Related Posts

WordPress has added a new feature to all blogs using its software.  At the bottom of posts you will now see a field titled “Possibly related posts,” and one or two links.  These links are generated automatically by WordPress and the author of this blog has nothing to do with them, nor any ability to [...]

April 30, 2008

There Has Never Been a Special General Assembly: The Answer to Today’s Quiz

Donald O’Bloggin correctly guessed that the UUA has never held a Special General Assembly, although the procedure has been on the books for decades and it would only take 50 congregations to do so.  The equivalent of a Special General Assembly has been held further back in denominational history, for example by the Universalist Church [...]

April 30, 2008

UU Trivia Question of the Day #38

We discussed Special General Assemblies earlier.  They are General Assemblies called in addition to the annual General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations.  Today’s question is very simple:
How many Special General Assemblies have their been?

April 30, 2008

What Are the Historical Rights and Responsibilities of a Religion of Converts?

Most attendees of Unitarian-Universalist churches are converts.  And if we take a longer historical perspective, the number of people whose families have been involved in Unitarianism or Universalism for 100-200 years is truly tiny, though not utterly nonexistent.  Compare this to people who are Catholic, Protestant, or Jewish: chances are good that their family has [...]

April 30, 2008

Universalist Quote of the Day #73

“To that throne Love is the only way.”
–Rev. Martin J. Steere, Footprints Heavenward; or, Universalism the More Excellent Way. Boston: James M. Usher, 1862: iv.

April 29, 2008

The Holdeen India Program Helps the Poor and Oppressed: The Answer to Today’s Quiz

A UU College Student correctly guessed that the UU Holdeen India Program is a social justice program that provides funds to a wide range of activities in India, supporting the work of women, outcastes, and other oppressed groups.  Hundreds of millions of dollars are delivered annually.  The UUA administers the trust, and receives income from [...]

April 29, 2008

UU Trivia Question of the Day #37

The UUA is usually thought of as a more-or-less American organization.  But of course it has connections around the world.  In fact, one of its most important programs is based in India.  It’s the subject of today’s quiz:
What is the Holdeen India Program?

April 29, 2008

Universalist Quote of the Day #72

“Good works are not the cause, but the effect of salvation.”
–Rev. Pitt Morse, Sermons in Vindication of Universalism. Watertown: Woodward and Calhoun, 1831: 10.

April 28, 2008

It Only Takes 50 Congregations to Call a Special General Assembly: The Answer to Today’s Quiz

Donald O’Bloggin correctly answered that a Special General Assembly can be called by a mere 50 congregations (less than 5% of the total congregations of the UUA).  They only need to give 60 days notice, and the business of the Special General Assembly is as binding as that of an annual one.  However, it takes [...]

April 28, 2008

Do (Former) Independent Affiliates Meet UUA Bylaw Criteria?

In the debate (going on, for instance, here and here) over the disassociation of former Independent Affiliates (FIA) of the Unitarian Universalist Association, there is some question as to whether the FIAs met the requirements of the UUA. Most often highlighted is the issue of serving congregations, in keeping with the UUA’s trend toward [...]