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"Faith of the Free"
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uufreespirit
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Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 1745
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 Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:16 am Post subject: International News and Notes |
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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS
--Joan Lund (Florida District UUA Trustee)
September is an important month in our congregational lives. Often it is the time we look forward to a new church year, initiating new activities and programs. Perhaps it is a time for your group to welcome new members to your board of trustees. Whatever you are doing for a great year I wish you the best. In the past I have written about the Partner Church Council and the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF), part of our work as U*Us on the international scene. This month I hope to interest you and your congregation in the work of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU).
ICUU is a network of Unitarian, Universalist and Unitarian Universalist organizations. Member groups come from 23 countries. This organization of Unitarian and Universalist societies from around the world seeks to strengthen the worldwide network of Unitarian, Universalist, and U*U organizations. About a dozen years old, the ICUU has met every two years around the world to experience specific programs designed to foster and nurture better international understanding among all members of the global community. The organization is growing steadily and members include national organizations such as the UUA and the Canadian Unitarian Council (CUC). In addition to these two North American organizations, many North Americans are aware of the Transylvanian Unitarian Church, the General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches in Britain, and the Religious Society of Czech Unitarians.
The member groups of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists, affirm their belief in religious community based on: liberty of conscience and individual thought in matters of faith, the inherent worth and dignity of every person, justice and compassion in human relations, responsible steward ship of the earth’s living system, and commitment to democratic principles.
This coming November the biennial meeting of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists will bring together congregations and groups from all over the world - from North East India, Philippines, Canada, Romania, Germany, United Kingdom, Indonesia, Africa, South America, United States, and more. The purpose of the meeting will be to conduct the business of the ICUU member groups. And there will be much more: special religious celebrations, services, sharing, discussion, cultural events, and workshops.
Our congregations are local liberal religious communities; our communities are linked to other liberal religious communities around the world. I hope your congregation will choose to discover the connections and the relationships and add dimension, vision, and quality to your congregation by becoming a member of the ICUU. Contact me for further information, your questions, and concerns: jlund@uua.org. Thanks for your support.
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http://www.floridadistrict.org/?p=165
Ron
_________________
-- Ron
"Freedom depends on free thinkers." --- Dan Barker
"The Reformation Must Continue!" --- Friedrich Schleiermacher
-->> Have you tried "UUPLINK UU RADIO" lately? You may be surprised! Go to... http://www.live365.com/stations/uuplink?site=uuplink"&"%20play
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uufreespirit
Site Admin
Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Posts: 1745
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| Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:29 am Post subject: International News Update -- 11/07 |
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-- Rev. Brian Kiely, of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists, has posted this at the "International List," and I thought there may be someone here who may find it of interest;
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Dear ICUU Friends,
In the first week of November, 97 participants travelled from around
the world to a youth hostel in Oberwesel overlooking the banks of
Germany's Rhine river. It was an amazing coming together of people
expressing our common faith in many different ways.
I know that I found so many moments deeply moving, sometimes in
worship, sometimes in workshops, sometimes looking at pictures of
congregations in different countries. And sometimes the moment came
in the hallways just learning the stories of someone who lives a very
different life from mine and yet with whom I share a common liberal
faith. It is those special moments, those special contacts that fire
my passion for this Council.
The ICUU is still a small and struggling organization, trying to have
an impact far beyond what we might reasonably expect given our
limited resources. Right now, you are the ICUU's best ambassadors in
your nations and your congregations. I would invite you to share
your stories and your photos with other Unitarian and Unitarian
Universalist Friends. As with congregations, the ICUU must grow one
person at a time.
During our time in Oberwesel, it became clear that a major concern of
delegates and participants was the need for more and better
communication. By that I understood you to mean communication from
the Executive to the member groups, but also better communication
from member groups to the rest of the ICUU. We are already taking
some steps. Thanks to Mary Bennett from Canada for creating these
chatlines. I invite you to participate in the discussion groups or
to take a look at the read only messages when they come your way. We
will do our best to make them worth reading!
As well, we now have an ICUU group on Facebook, the popular social
networking site. It's free to join. Just go to www.facebook.com,
sign up, click the group link and search for the full name
International Council of Unitarians and Universalists.
Last, but not least, several of us are working to make sure that our
website www.icuu.net keeps improving its links to member groups,
keeps providing new and up to date information and increases the
archives of worship materials and other resources. Some of that work
has already begun, but more will be added in coming months.
Finally, I would like to encourage you to keep in touch. Do you have
concerns about the ICUU? Ideas for our future? I would love to hear
them.
In faith,
Brian
Rev. Brian Kiely
President, International Council of Unitarians and Universalists
Minister, Unitarian Church of Edmonton, Canada www.uce.com
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-- I know that some folks don't take this international liberal-religious activity very seriously. I obviously disagree with that attitude, and believe the whole world needs the presence of radically liberative, broadly inclusive, critically-thinking religion, by whatever name it comes to be known.
-- On a similar topic, the International Association for Religious Freedom (global interfaith organization, with deep UU roots) is still alive, and trying to find its groove. I think it's worth supporting as much as possible, and I will. Their U.S. chapter's website, by the way, is at...
http://www.iarfus.org
...please join me in supporting them if you can! Thanks!
Ron
_________________
-- Ron
"Freedom depends on free thinkers." --- Dan Barker
"The Reformation Must Continue!" --- Friedrich Schleiermacher
-->> Have you tried "UUPLINK UU RADIO" lately? You may be surprised! Go to... http://www.live365.com/stations/uuplink?site=uuplink"&"%20play
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