Podcasts about uusc

The UUSC began in 1939 when Rev. Waitstill and Martha Sharp took an extraordinary risk, helping refugees escape Nazi persecution in Europe. Today the nonsectarian committee advances human rights together with an international community of grassroots partners and advocates. 4th UU member Al Weger leads a service exploring the work and history of this vital organization. 

"Build Strength Through Our Stories" Sunday, January 12, 2025 Stories are powerful and offer us lessons to help resource ourselves. By looking at historical figures, ancestors, and our own lives, we can remember the stories that have given us resilience and have helped us build community in challenging times. Let's come together to tell these stories and share the lessons we have learned. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Sam King, Worship Associate; Liz Strand, Trustee; Linda Harris, UUSC; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Shannon Warto, Singer Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher LIVESTREAM https://www.youtube.com/live/eMG0YSpzo3s OOS: https://t.ly/20250112OSWeb PLAYLIST: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGWIRF9PinfwEr0s89S7ybLIupNeewPp5

"Build Strength Through Our Stories" Sunday, January 12, 2025 Stories are powerful and offer us lessons to help resource ourselves. By looking at historical figures, ancestors, and our own lives, we can remember the stories that have given us resilience and have helped us build community in challenging times. Let's come together to tell these stories and share the lessons we have learned. Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Sam King, Worship Associate; Liz Strand, Trustee; Linda Harris, UUSC; Reiko Oda Lane, organist; Shannon Warto, Singer Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Breaking Bread" Sunday, November 24, 2024 As we prepare to gather at the tables to mark next week's day of gratitude, let's tell stories of what shows up on our tables, who and how we gather, and the practices that begin here. Bring a bread or baked good to share at our social hour afterwards, if you are baking or have the opportunity to do so! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Linda Harris, UUSC; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

"Breaking Bread" Sunday, November 24, 2024 As we prepare to gather at the tables to mark next week's day of gratitude, let's tell stories of what shows up on our tables, who and how we gather, and the practices that begin here. Bring a bread or baked good to share at our social hour afterwards, if you are baking or have the opportunity to do so! Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Linda Harris, UUSC; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, organist; UUSF Choir; Mark Sumner, director; Wm. García Ganz, pianist Shulee Ong; Eric Shackelford; Francisco Castellanos; Eli Boshears, Camera Operators; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Thomas Brown, Jose Matias Pineda, and Francisco Castellanos, Sextons; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher

As many of you know, our trans and gender expansive beloveds are under attack and being criminalized in many US states right now. This is so serious that they fit the criteria to be designated as internally displaced people (IDPs) by the United Nations. This isn't the first time fascism has reared its ugly head, and we at UUSC know how to respond. UUSC has been dedicated to aiding people being targeted by fascism since our founding in 1940. Our faith calls us to make holy trouble for the powers that would deny anyone's full humanity and divinity. Join us, holy troublemakers, now is the time! Music: Sol Singers with Susan Peck. Sing justice songs with us! Heather (she/her) is the Coordinator for Congregational Activism at the UU Service Committee and as such, works with congregations, state action networks and other groups that want to do their social justice work more effectively and faithfully. She is part of the Congregational Accompaniment Project for Asylum Seekers (CAPAS) team that matches (and supports) congregations with asylum seekers needing sponsorship and coordinates with UUSC's frontline trans partners working to get our beloveds free and safe through the Pink Haven Coalition. Outside of her paid work, Heather co-coordinates the Beyond Bond & Legal Defense Fund which is part of the wider Boston Immigration Justice Accompaniment Network in Massachusetts and is an active member of her UU church, First Parish Malden and an aspirant to UU Ministry.

Group in AK to help tribes get funding for climate change effects Yurok tribe declares fentanyl state of emergency and issues kits

In this episode of the Hope and Heresy podcast, Rev. Peggy and Rev. Sarah are joined by Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, President of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, and Rev. Alicia Forde, Director of the International Office at the Unitarian Universalist Association, to discuss the question at the heart this season of the podcast: What is the Central Task for Humanity at this Moment in History?Topics that come up in this week's discussion include: What it means, and why it is important, to make both local and global connections; the radical potential of moving money; the concept of a God that is in the constant process of becoming; and the power of a justice-focused love.About this week's guests: After 30 years in faith-based leadership, the Rev. Mary Katherine Morn joined UUSC as President and Lead Executive Officer in 2018. She has helped to grow a number of progressive congregations serving their members and the larger community.Mary Katherine contributed to efforts for economic, racial, and social justice in Macon, Georgia at the Economic Opportunity Council/Headstart with the NAACP. She also worked deeply in the reproductive justice movement. In Nashville, Tennessee, she collaborated with the Interfaith Alliance and Industrial Areas Foundation. In Fairfax, Virginia, she worked with interfaith ministries addressing hunger and homelessness, collaborated with LGBTQI+ advocacy organizations, and served on the county's homelessness task force.The Reverend Alicia Roxanne Forde serves with the Unitarian Universalist Association as the Director of the International Office. She is a graduate of The Iliff School of Theology and currently lives in Longmont, Colorado. Alicia was born and spent her formative years in Trinidad and Tobago. She identifies as an African descent queer, cis-gender female with deep roots in Tobago. She considers herself bi-cultural and is grateful that her formative years enabled her to cultivate a global perspective. Alicia is a certified Spiritual Director and has a strong interest in health and wellness. When she's not hiking, you can find her reading, working-out, or podcast-walking.For the video version of this episode, click here: https://youtu.be/c2hNUa2hu8A.The Hope and Heresy podcast is produced by the Community Church of New York Unitarian Universalist.

How do we stop systems based in relentless extraction and move towards ways of being that heal and restore? Communities in the front lines of the climate crisis are leading the way towards the transformations necessary for our collective survival and flourishing. Join us as Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, president of Unitarian Universalist Service Committee, shares stories of the remarkable work they're engaging in around the world with the support of our UUSC members.

Australian Indigenous activist, Lilla Watson, says, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” Join our guest preachers, the Rev. Laura Randall and Heather Vickery of UUSC, as we explore how to create together the beloved community. Support the show (https://pushpay.com/g/firstunitarianchurchdesmoines?src=hpp)

Come listen to a WUU service! Australian Indigenous activist, Lilla Watson, says, “If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time, but if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.” Join our guest preachers, the Rev. Laura Randall and Heather Vickery of UUSC, as we explore how to create together the beloved community. Rev. Laura Randall, UUSC, Guest Worship Leader Heather Vickery, UUSC, Guest Worship Leader Dr. Ysaÿe Barnwell & the UUA General Assembly 2020 Virtual Choir The YouTube version is here. Thank you for listening. For more information about the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalists, or to join us on Sunday mornings, visit www.wuu.org.

UUSC President, the Rev. Mary Katherine Morn joins us to preach stories of courage and invite us to know more about the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

Joining with UU’s throughout the country, we celebrate our heritage as the “church of the helping hands” this Justice Sunday. With so much disruption and uncertainty in the world, how can we continue to “nurture our spirits” and “heal the world”?

Since UUSC’s founding, Unitarian Universalists have been fundamental to UUSC’s work to advance human rights. With shared values under threat, there is an even louder call to collaborate and even more that we can accomplish together. How we can come together, with hope, to advance justice in the face of some of today’s greatest human rights challenges.

In An Ideal World (January 6, 2019) Let's be real, living up to our ideals isn't easy, sometimes it's downright dangerous. When we think of the ideal, often, we picture perfection, the ultimate, the unattainable. Why bother? But in today's reality, particularly political reality, we harken for something better - something more ideal. Are there examples of the ideal that are attainable, inspiring, useful for us mere mortals? ?Ideals that might guide us out of the mess we are in? Is there an ideal story that can show us a way forward? Today's service we will explore some of the central ideas about ideals (Plato anyone?) and why they matter, now more than ever. Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Phil Marshall, Worship Associate Asher Davison, song leader Larry Chinn, piano Scott Benbow, Treasurer Linda Harris, UUSC Jonathan Silk, Podcasting, OOS, Sound

In An Ideal World (January 6, 2019) Let's be real, living up to our ideals isn't easy, sometimes it's downright dangerous. When we think of the ideal, often, we picture perfection, the ultimate, the unattainable. Why bother? But in today's reality, particularly political reality, we harken for something better - something more ideal. Are there examples of the ideal that are attainable, inspiring, useful for us mere mortals? ?Ideals that might guide us out of the mess we are in? Is there an ideal story that can show us a way forward? Today's service we will explore some of the central ideas about ideals (Plato anyone?) and why they matter, now more than ever. Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Phil Marshall, Worship Associate Asher Davison, song leader Larry Chinn, piano Scott Benbow, Treasurer Linda Harris, UUSC Jonathan Silk, Podcasting, OOS, Sound

Join the UUSC 2018-2019 Worship Team ( Amy Collins, Jess Levy, Peggy Lagodny) as we begin to unravel this month's theme of Mystery.  Jess provides a reflection titled, "What's Your Why?" and Peggy shares her reflection titled, "The Little Mysteries."  The musician is Karin Tooley.     Sermon from 12/2/18 worship service

Living Hope. Living Justice (October 21, 2018) Since UUSC’s founding, Unitarian Universalists have been fundamental to UUSC’s work to advance human rights. With our shared values under threat, there is an even louder call to collaborate and even more we can accomplish together. The Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, UUSC’s President and CEO, will share a sermon about the need for hope and justice in the face of some of today’s greatest human rights challenges. Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, UUSC President and CEO Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Shari Halliday-Quan, Ministerial Intern Christine Tulis, harp and vocals Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Asher Davison, song leader Linda Harris, UUSC Chair Welcome Jonathan Silk, Podcasting, OOS, Sound, drums

Living Hope. Living Justice (October 21, 2018) Since UUSC’s founding, Unitarian Universalists have been fundamental to UUSC’s work to advance human rights. With our shared values under threat, there is an even louder call to collaborate and even more we can accomplish together. The Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, UUSC’s President and CEO, will share a sermon about the need for hope and justice in the face of some of today’s greatest human rights challenges. Rev. Mary Katherine Morn, UUSC President and CEO Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Shari Halliday-Quan, Ministerial Intern Christine Tulis, harp and vocals Dr. Mark Sumner, piano Asher Davison, song leader Linda Harris, UUSC Chair Welcome Jonathan Silk, Podcasting, OOS, Sound, drums

The non-negotiability of fundamental human rights, and how UUSC is joining with partners and allies to respond to some of today’s greatest human rights challenges.

Sermon delivered by Rev. Nathan Hollister on November 5, 2017. Rev. Hollister, board member of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC), speaks to why he, as a lifelong proponent of culture change, believes the UUSC embodies our Unitarian Universalist values and is especially effective in meeting the needs of some of the most marginalized people all over the world. Rev. Hollister leads the ministry of Scared Fire Unitarian Universalist, which plants and grows deliberate communities supporting life and social justice all across the country. He received degrees in Political Science and Sociology from Northeastern University, and his Masters of Divinity and Masters of Leadership from Meadville Lombard Theological School, where he now serves as Affiliate Faculty. "Nato," in addition to his UUSC board position, chairs the UUA's Commission on Appraisal as well as the board of his local Immigrant and Refugee Community Partnership. The theme for November is what it means to be a people of abundance. To read about our theme-based ministry, please visit http://www.unitytemple.org/faith-development/soul-connections on our website. 

Good Grace: Stories of Thanksgiving and Reconciliation There is a good chance your Thanksgiving holiday will include some post-election reflection. Along with some side dishes, well come with our stories. In preparation, we will spend this Sunday with the Thanksgiving story, which will serve as our centerpiece, exploring the facts and the fiction, seeing what  it can teach us about reconciliation and grace. Our stories have power, they can bring us together or break us apart. As we prepare to gather at the common table, may our stories move us in a direction that leads to healing and hope.   Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Lucy Smith, Worship Associate Linda Harris, Chair of UUSC at UUSF Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Jim Valent, Welcome Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Worship Archives/Podcast

Good Grace: Stories of Thanksgiving and Reconciliation There is a good chance your Thanksgiving holiday will include some post-election reflection. Along with some side dishes, well come with our stories. In preparation, we will spend this Sunday with the Thanksgiving story, which will serve as our centerpiece, exploring the facts and the fiction, seeing what  it can teach us about reconciliation and grace. Our stories have power, they can bring us together or break us apart. As we prepare to gather at the common table, may our stories move us in a direction that leads to healing and hope.   Rev. Alyson Jacks, Associate Minister Lucy Smith, Worship Associate Linda Harris, Chair of UUSC at UUSF Dr. Mark Sumner, Music Director Reiko Oda Lane, Organ Jim Valent, Welcome Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound, Worship Archives/Podcast

Crossing Over   On the Sunday before Thanksgiving we celebrate Guest at Your Table Sunday, and dedicate the offering to the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. 75 years ago, in 1940, they began rescuing refugees from totalitarian regimes in Europe. Today they work on many fronts: economic justice; rights in crisis; environmental justice – here and all around the world. Rev. Buehrens is vice-chair of the UUSC Board. Plan to stay for a gala luncheon in celebration of UUSC’s anniversary. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rachel Gore Freed, UUSC VP and Chief Program Officer Ben Bear, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Mark Sumner, Music Director Emily Wilson, Director Finance & Administration Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Crossing Over   On the Sunday before Thanksgiving we celebrate Guest at Your Table Sunday, and dedicate the offering to the work of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee. 75 years ago, in 1940, they began rescuing refugees from totalitarian regimes in Europe. Today they work on many fronts: economic justice; rights in crisis; environmental justice – here and all around the world. Rev. Buehrens is vice-chair of the UUSC Board. Plan to stay for a gala luncheon in celebration of UUSC’s anniversary. Rev. John Buehrens, Senior Minister Rachel Gore Freed, UUSC VP and Chief Program Officer Ben Bear, Worship Associate Reiko Oda Lane, Organist Mark Sumner, Music Director Emily Wilson, Director Finance & Administration Jonathan Silk, OOS, Sound & Worship Archives/Podcast

Rachel Gore Freed is Senior Program Leader for Rights at Risk with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC). She is giving you a personal account of what is happening at the 3 Detention Centers in Texas at Dilley and Karnes;  and Berks, Pennsylvania. Rachel will share what you can do to help. Background: It’s not a crime to seek asylum in the United States. Yet, at least 1,500 refugee women, many of whom are mothers, are currently detained in jail-like conditions in Texas and Pennsylvania. Many of these women have passed reasonable fear interviews and have been denied parole. Although bonds are afforded to mothers whose fears of returning to their home countries are found to be “credible” by an asylum officer, neither ICE nor the immigration judges will grant bonds to families passing the “reasonable” fear process (an even higher standard of proof for people not eligible for credible fear interviews). The withholding of bond along with the ICE policy of denying parole to all positive reasonable fear applicants have resulted in excessively long detention of these families. According to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, at least 100 such families are currently being held in family detention facilities located in Karnes and Dilley, Texas, as well as Berks, Penn. On average, these children and their mothers are detained for nine months to one year, with several having already been detained for more than a year. Continuing to detain these women deeply conflicts with our U.S. values, including due process. One of these refugee women is 19 years old and the mother of a four-year-old. She and her child fled Honduras and are now being held inside Karnes County Residential Center. Under the stress of living in detention, she attempted suicide. She is not alone. At the Berks County facility, another young mother — distraught over being detained for 11 months and counting —attempted to end her life. This spring nearly 80 other women detained at the Karnes facility participated in a hunger strike in hopes of bringing attention to their plight. Human rights lawyers and advocates have reported that conditions inside these centers are similar to jail; they expose refugees to trauma, malnutrition, and depression. Standing up for these women and their families is a moral imperative. UUSC video about who they are: Bio: Rachel Gore Freed is a human rights lawyer with a wealth of domestic and international experience. As the Rights at Risk senior program leader, Freed spearheads, plans, and implements UUSC’s work responding to humanitarian crises and advancing the rights of people who are most overlooked or discriminated against in the midst of crises such as forced migration, large-scale conflicts, genocide, and natural disasters. Prior to joining UUSC, Freed litigated several environmental justice suits with the National Environmental Law Center. A passionate civil rights advocate, she previously represented low-income immigrants and detained asylum seekers pursuing relief from unjust deportation in New York City. She has also worked with the List Project on Iraqi refugee policy and served as cochair of the American Bar Association International Refugee Committee. Freed began her legal career clerking with the Charles Taylor prosecution team at the Special Court for Sierra Leone, where she focused on witness protection. In addition, she has worked with the Irish Center for Human Rights, the Center for Reproductive Rights, and the American Society for International Law. Freed holds a bachelor’s degree with a focus in international development from the George Washington Eliot School of International Affairs and a doctor of law degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. Favorite Quote: “To love. To be loved. To never forget your own insignificance. To never get used to the unspeakable violence and the vulgar disparity of life around you. To seek joy in the saddest places.

The UU College of Social Justice is a joint project of the UUA and UUSC and is based in Cambridge, MA. The mission of the College is to inspire and sustain faith-based justice work on issues of local, national and global importance. This mission is served through a variety of short-term experiential learning journey for adults of all ages, intensive justice programs for high school youth, and global summer internships for college-age young adults. All programs are grounded in faith-based study and reflection. Bio: The Rev. Kathleen McTigue is the Director of the UU College of Social Justice. Prior to accepting this position in 2012, she served as a parish minister for 25 years, first in North Carolina and then New Haven, CT. She currently resides in Boston, MA.   Favorite Quote: "If our religion plays a significant role in our lives, then it must do more than simply reinforce the values of our culture. In fact, …our values are often deeply counter-cultural. Articulating the ways these values challenge certain cultural ideas about wealth accumulation…for example, is part of what it means to be prophetic….Given the public dominance of conservative religious voices today, if religious liberals don’t speak up, no one else will know that there is another religious perspective.” - Paul B. Rasor from his book -  Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square Links: UU College of Social Justice Twitter: @UUCSJ Video: Haiti: Beyond Just Recovery Final Credits: music thanks to: "Carefree", "Open Those Bright Eyes", "Sweeter Vermouth" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Without water to drink there is no life. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has chosen the “human right to water” as one of its primary four areas of focus.  It is an issue of environmental justice. This Sunday we will celebrate the justice work of the UUSC and the remarkable work we have been doing in California and around the world to make safe drinking water available for everyone.

Without water to drink there is no life. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has chosen the “human right to water” as one of its primary four areas of focus.  It is an issue of environmental justice. This Sunday we will celebrate the justice work of the UUSC and the remarkable work we have been doing in California and around the world to make safe drinking water available for everyone.

Sermon delivered by guest minister Rev. Kathleen McTigue on April 7, 2013. Rev. McTigue is director of the UU College of Social Justice (UUCSJ), which is a joint collaboration of UUSC and the Unitarian Universalist Association. She leads the UUCSJ in strategically pursuing its mission to increase the capacity of Unitarian Universalists to catalyze justice. Prior to joining UUCSJ, Kathleen served in parish ministry for 25 years, including 21 years as senior minister to the Unitarian Society of New Haven, Connecticut. Her previous experience also includes several years of social justice activism in the San Francisco Bay area and six months volunteering with Witness for Peace in Nicaragua. Rev. McTigue earned a Master of Divinity degree from Starr King School for the Ministry. She can be contacted at kmctigue@uucsj.org.

Sermon delivered by Dr. Charlie Clements on February 7, 2010. Dr. Clements is a well-known human rights activist and public health physician. Early in his career, after he quit the Air Force as a pilot because he felt war was immoral, he chose to work in the midst of El Salvador's civil war, where the villages he serveed were bombed, rocketed, or strafed by some of the same aircraft in which he trained. He captured his experiences in Witness to War which was made into an Academy Award-winning documentary. Dr. Clements will soon be stepping down from his role as president and CEO of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee to accept a new position as head of a major human rights research and teaching institution at Harvard University. For the time being, he can still be reached through the UUSC at http://uusc.org/email/1799/field_email.

Charlie Clements, President and CEO of UU Service Committee (UUSC) will be preaching at both services.  He will explain how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights is having an effect in almost every corner of the world every day for 60 years and how it forms the foundation of UUSC's work here and abroad.