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Sacrifice, valor and integrity are no more defined by sexual orientation
than they are by race or gender, religion or creed.
~ President Obama, December 18, 2010
upon the end of Don't Ask, Don't Tell
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TEN-DAY CALENDAR-LITE
IN CASE OF SNOW OR ICE,
CHECK YOUR EMAIL OR UUCE'S WEBSITE
TO SEE WHETHER SUNDAY SERVICES HAVE BEEN CANCELLED.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 23
Church office hours: Tues—Fri, 9am—noon
UUCE Custodian, Matt Kosanke’s days off: Wed & Thurs
* Thundereggs - Tsunami Books' back room, 2-4pm - women, young at heart
* Calm Abiding Meditation B 6-6:45pm
* Food for Lane County Service Night - 6:30-8:30pm at 770 Bailey Hill Road Details below
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FRIDAY DECEMBER 24
Church office closed thru Dec 31
* Christmas Eve Services
6pm – Candee Cole, DRE
Join us for an intergenerational celebration of Christmas, with carols and stories. Remember to bring mittens, hats, and scarves for the Mitten Tree at both services. This service is meant for younger children and anyone who enjoys a lighter
service with a sing-a-long, kid story tellers, and a nativity scene. We will
end this service with the traditional Silent Night candle lighting.
8pm – Rev. D. Bjorn Olson and Candee Cole, DRE
With poetry, music, and singing, this service will be an invitation into the mystery of this holy season, ending with a candlelight singing of "Silent Night." Children are more than welcome at this Christmas Eve service, though the tone will be more reflective.
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SATURDAY DECEMBER 25 - Christmas Day
Rev. Alicia Forsey time off thru Jan 4
Candee Cole, DRE, time off thru Jan 4
Tom Sears, Music Director, time off thru Jan 3
Kim Harris, office closed thru Dec 31
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 26 - ONE Service at 10am
Sharing Joys and Sorrows
Nisco Junkins, Worship Associate
"Joy shared is increased and Sorrow shared is reduced."
~ S. Robinson
We humans are social creatures and the gift of listening to each other with good heart aids in our connectedness. As the congregation has grown in size there isn't time in the main church year for folks to come to the microphone, speak and light a candle. Today we make the time and space for doing so. We'll bring in the wrought iron stand with many candles in it, for you to light and share from yourselves.
* NO RE classes, although childcare for infants through age 5 is available
* NO Youth groups today - please join us in the sanctuary
* NOTE: The BUUB is operating on a reduced work schedule until mid-January. Visitors are encouraged — Do come by to see the progress or bring family to show off your handiwork, even though there is no drop-in work available for the next two weeks.
* POST CHRISTMAS POTLUCK DINNER at the BUUB - at 5pm. Bring a dish to share. Ham and beverages will be provided. Questions? Judie Hansen 541-335-1637 or judie310hansen@comcast.net. All ages invited.
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MONDAY DECEMBER 27
Church office closed thru Dec 31
* While making corrections here on the DRAFT, do the same changes need to be made on the WebCalendar? Check at: WebCalendar
* NEW WEBSITE REMINDER - We encourage folks to work on the content of their new webPAGES before the new webSITE goes "live" in January. Currently Ken Ross, Bob Coleman, and Martha Osgood have had some training to help you do this. Here is the temporary home of the new website: http://tinyurl.com/2wdz8ak Remember your password?
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TUESDAY DECEMBER 28
Church office closed thru Dec 31
* Morning Doves - Birders and Breakfast Group. Stewart Ponds - west on 11th, n on Bertleson, turn right on Stewart Road and go to end of road to parking lot. Meet at 8am. If you need to find us, Judie Hansen will have her cell phone: 541-335-1637. Breakfast at Shari's.
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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 29
Church office closed thru Dec 31
* UUpDate deadline: due by noon to <happenings@uueugene.org>
* The BUUB is operating on a reduced work schedule until mid-January. Visitors are encouraged if you want to come by to see the progress or bring family to show off your handiwork, but there is no drop in work available for the next two weeks.
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THURSDAY DECEMBER 30
Church office closed thru Dec 31
* Thundereggs - Tsunami Books' back room, 2-4pm - women, young at heart
* Calm Abiding Meditation B 6-6:45pm
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FRIDAY DECEMBER 31 - New Year's Eve
Church office closed
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SATURDAY JANUARY 1 - New Year's Day
Candee Cole, DRE, returns January 4
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SUNDAY JANUARY 2 - ONE service at 10AM
Turning The Page
Rev. Alicia McNary Forsey
As we gather at the beginning of a brand new year, we have much to look
forward to and every reason to celebrate our community. As we turn to a
blank page that is waiting to be written on, what do we want to note that
relates to our own lives? What do we want to note regarding our lives as
part of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Eugene?
* NO RE classes, although childcare for infants through age 5 is available
* NO Youth groups today - please join us in the sanctuary
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WHAT'S NEW / WHAT'S HOT?
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• CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES:
Warm-Wear Giveaway
At both the 6pm and the 8pm December 24 services,
we will be collecting our traditional warm-wear for families experiencing homelessness. Items will be distributed to families through 1st Place Family Center. We need new or used hats, mittens, gloves, socks and scarves. (Sweaters, coats, sleeping bags, or blankets are also welcome and will be given to Egan Warming Center or 1st Place.) Items for all ages accepted but we would like to emphasize items for infants, toddlers and children this year. THANK YOU!
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• ANNUAL NEW YEAR'S PARTY - Saturday Jan 8, 2011 5pm—>
Almost certain, cold, wet and gloom
and only a quarter of the moon.
Find warmth, music, comfort and joy.
Renew friendships with the hoi polloi:
Bring resolutions, songs, a nosh ethereal,
Saturday, Jan. 8th, at 5pm Phyllis Kesner’s: 5075 Imperial.
RSVP: 541-684-4495
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• THE BIG MOVE
UU Women's Alliance is consolidating its archives for the big move. We would love to preserve any minutes, letters, ledgers, books, or other archival tidbits (no matter how old) relating to the Women's Alliance. If you have anything to contribute, please call Connie Newman 541-543-1685, or mail materials to UUCE, 477 E. 4th Ave., Eugene OR 97405. Moving Guidelines
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• NEW UUCE LISTSERV for POETS
UUCE has a new listserv: poets@uueugene.org. This is a place to share poems and news of poetry events or books, as well as workshop ideas. Traffic will most likely be light, but if you are interested in things poetic, please sign on. Contact listmanager@uueugene.org. For other listservs, see
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• ADULT RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (ARE)
Computer Literacy Class - February 2011
In February we will be offering a new class: Computer Literacy for the UUCE Community. In order to design this class to meet your needs, the ARE Committee will be conducting a Computer-Internet survey on Jan. 9. Please plan to participate.
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• WEBSITE REMINDER - We encourage folks to work on their new webPAGES before the new webSITE goes "live" in January. Currently Ken Ross, Bob Coleman, and Martha Osgood have had some training to help you do this. Start here at the temporary home of the new website: http://tinyurl.com/2wdz8ak Remember your password?
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• UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST HISTORY -
A New Adult Education Class With Rev. Alicia Forsey, Ph.D. in January 2011
The class is already full, but may be offered again in the Spring.
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• TROLLOPE READERS GROUP is forming in January.
Anthony Trollope was the most popular novelist of 19th century England. You may have watched Masterpiece Theater productions based on some of his many novels. Contact Dorothy Clark (541-342-2013) for more information or look for the sign-up sheet in the Social Hall.
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• NEW POETRY WRITING WORKSHOP
Interested in joining a monthly evening or weekend
UUCE Poetry-Writing Workshop where you can share and discuss your poems and those of other poets? If so, contact Cindy lucindap@comcast.net now. If there's enough interest, and an agreeable time and place can be found, we'll start up in January.
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• CHOIR NOTES
If you enjoy singing and the camaraderie of working together with others, consider singing with one of our fine choirs. January is join-a-choir month. New singers are invited at this time to attend rehearsals to see if they might enjoy being a part of music-making at UUCE. Openings are available in the Sanctuary Choir and our women’s Chalice Choir. Please contact Tom Sears at tesears@comcast.net for more information.
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• UU'RE HOME - UU Bed and Breakfast Directory
Dreaming of inexpensive vacation travel to interesting destinations where you can stay in the homes of friendly people who share your ideals and are happy to provide directions and advice for their area?
Check us out! For thirty years, we’ve provided a network of hosts in the United States (and a few abroad) who enjoy meeting new friends and who are happy to open their home to like-minded people.
You can also become a host and be listed in the directory. Host listings are on the UU’re Home website at www.UUreHome.com and it costs only $10 for a year’s access to the current listings.
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• WHALECOAST ALASKA 2011
Have you always dreamed of visiting Alaska? Are you curious about the
lifestyles of Alaskan UUs? Do you enjoy getting to know your fellow
travelers? If so, WhaleCoast Alaska 2011 is for you! Four Alaskan UU
fellowships invite you to experience our eco-cultural and spiritual
program this summer as we celebrate our 15th year! See Alaska through the
eyes of local UUs in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau, and Sitka with friendly
homestays and unique tour activities. See wildlife, including moose,
bear, whales, bald eagles, seals, and caribou. Visit Denali National
Park. Experience Native Alaskan culture. Enjoy all that our beautiful
state has to offer. Programs led by Dave Frey and Bre Griffin, members of
the farthest north UU congregation, with 36 years of Alaska living between
them. To find out more about your Alaskan trip of a lifetime, visit www.WhaleCoastAK.org, email info@whalecoastak.org, or call 907-322-4966.
We would love to share our Alaska with you!
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Life is no brief candle for me.
It is a sort of splendid torch which I have hold of for a moment,
and I want to make it burn as brightly as possible
before handing it on to future generations.
~
G. B. Shaw
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CHILDREN'S RELIGIOUS EDUCATION
2010-11 Theme: PEACE AND SOCIAL JUSTICE
Candee Cole, Director of Religious Education, 541-686-2775
• HOLIDAY BREAK
Religious Education classes and volunteers are on holiday break from Dec 26- Jan2. Childcare will be provided on a first come first serve basis with priority given to babies-pre-Kindergarten. Both Dec 26 & Jan 2 will be single services at 10am.
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• RELIGIOUS EDUCATION (RE)
Middle and High school youth groups meet at 11:15am and 11:00am in Rms 5 & 6, respectively. High school youth should go directly to class at 11:00.
Dec 24 Christmas Eve Service and Mitten Tree **
6:00 Service for young children and those who enjoy a lighter service.
8:00 Service for older children, teens and adults—more meditative.
** Bring to either service: new or used mittens, hats, gloves, scarves, coats or socks to be given to families with children experiencing limited income or homelessness.
Dec 26 No RE Classes,
Childcare for Infants-Preschool 10am
Jan 2 (SU) No RE Classes
Childcare for Infants-Preschool ages available
Jan 9 Religious Education Classes again at each service.
Jan 25 (TUE) The Incredible Years Parent Group begins
details below
Jan 29 (SA) Teacher Orientation 9am-3pm
Childcare with RSVP
Feb 26 (SA) Family Activity Night—Karaoke!
• PARENT SUPPORT GROUP/CLASS Coming to UUCE in 2011
“The Incredible Years”
Are you a parent or grandparent of a
preschool through eight year old? Do you struggle
with your child's behavior issues or
uncooperativeness?
We will be offering an 8-week parent
support group and class from
January-March. The program will include positive
behavior techniques and ideas for relationship
building and supporting your child’s social
emotional development. This 8-week class will meet Tuesday nights, January 25-March 15, 6:00-8:00pm;
$20-40 per person sliding scale, childcare provided. Sign-up in the SH on Sundays.
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• TEACHER TRAINING AND CURRICULUM ORIENTATION - Sat, Jan 29
For
new and returning teachers. Please pencil in 9am-3pm. More information on exact time of the orientation to come. Currently we need eight more volunteers:
two K-1st grade teachers and two 2-5th grade teachers at the 9am service,
and
two K-1st grade teachers and two 2nd-5th grade teachers at the 11am service.
The Bible is many accounts, by many writers,
over a thousand years time, of their experience of the Living God.
Their accounts were heard (more often than read)
as an experiential guide on how one accesses God
(or how God accesses humankind)
and discerns God's will.
~ Rev. Gene Robinson, Episcopal Bishop
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CONGREGATIONAL NOTES
• President's Message - Jan 2011
http://www.uueugene.org/pres.html
• Minister's Message - Jan 2011
http://www.uueugene.org/minister/message.html
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• CLARIFICATION OF THE AESTHETICS ASPECTS OF THE MOVING GUIDELINES
Questions have been asked about the part of the Moving Guidelines that relates to our plan to refrain from immediately hanging decorative items in our new church upon moving in. Rev. Alicia has reminded our task force that we are blessed to have selected an architect who trained with Louis Kahn, an architect who was a master in the thoughtful creation of spaces that evoke spirituality through the use of light and shadow within that space. (Kahn designed the Unitarian Church in Rochester, NY which has been named by at least one architectural critic as one of the greatest religious structures of the 20th century.) Rev Alicia also has reminded us that we are creating a spiritual space, a different kind of place and one meant to evoke that type of experience. After visiting a variety of churches and experiencing their sanctuaries, we have come to realize that a room may be pretty, attractive or even beautiful without ever invoking a sense of the spiritual.
The décor in our present church sanctuary has evolved over time and currently provides us with an environment that invites us set aside our busy lives and to settle into an internal spiritual place. We will want that same blessing from our new sanctuary and the chapel, but first we will need to ease into these spaces, settle into our seats, and listen to what the soaring beams, play of light and sense of place has to say to us.
MOVING GUIDELINES
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• WEB AND EMAIL LIST PRIVACY POLICY
(approved by the Board Dec 9, 2010)
For email listservs
Listservs are inherently not private. For those with concerns about email privacy, using an alternate or "throw-away" email address that does not reveal one's name is a possibility for subscriptions to listservs.
For the UUCE website which includes Newsletter, UUpDate, and printed material
Heads and/or contact persons of committees or groups may be listed on a webpage or in printed documents by name, e-mail address and/or telephone number. Normally, other committee members will not be listed unless they volunteer to be a contact person for an event, announcement, or meeting. Ultimately, the responsibility for privacy in UUCE publications rests with the individual, so those concerned about preserving their privacy should consider the risks before volunteering to become a leader or contact person for a committee or group.
Exceptions where it might be appropriate to list contact information for all members of a committee could include the Committee on Congregational Ministry, Pastoral Associates, and Board members. For other committees, it would be an option to list committee members who are not the chair or contact person, with permission but without contact information, so that people in the church will know who is participating in the various committees.
Review
This policy should be reviewed after a short period of time to see how it is working and to make changes if needed.
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• STAFF HOLIDAY VACATION SCHEDULES
Staff will be unavailable on these dates
Rev. Alicia Forsey: Dec 24-Jan 4
Candee Cole, DRE: Dec 25-Jan 4
Tom Sears, Music Director: Dec 26-Jan 3
Kim Harris, Church Office Closed: Dec 24-31
Matt Kosanke, Church Custodian: Dec 26-Jan 9
Thomas Broad, substitute custodian, will cover for Matt.
• UUA VIDEOS - 11 episodes to share
About UUs and UU Congregations
http://www.uua.org/multimedia/religion/index.shtml
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• RESERVE or RELEASE ROOM RESERVATIONS
Committees and Groups: please check the Web Calendar early on to ensure that a building, room, or area has not already been reserved on your desired date and time. NOTE: Be SURE to cancel your reservation ASAP if your plans change (so the heat in the building, and Matt, our custodian, are not scheduled needlessly).
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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• Ten-Day Calendar-Lite
• Congregational Notes
• What's New/What's Hot
• Service Opportunities
• Children's Religious Education
• Religion/Ethics News,
Near & Far
Sign up to receive this page by email
HOME PAGE
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Monthly *Newsletter*
Available now
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Weekly *UUpDate*
(you are here)
LINKS
—> If it's underlined, it's a link - Click it
(Use your Back Button/Arrow as needed
to return to this UUpDate)
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WebCalendar
for coordinating building and room use
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Pledge Form 2010 (pdf)
Thank You!
CURRENT LOCATION
477
40th Ave
541-686-2775
Church Office Hours
Tues—Fri, 9am—noon
except holidays
FUTURE LOCATION
13th and Chambers
400 Days (Remodeling Progress)
400Days Listserv signup
MINISTER'S OFFICE HOURS
Appointments available
Tuesdays: 2:00 - 5:00,
Wednesdays: 12:00 - 3:00,
Thursdays: 1:00 - 4:00, and
Sundays after second service
And at other times
as well.
revforsey@gmail.com
For daytime emergencies, call the church at
541-686-2775 ext.1;
Outside these hours,
see next item.
PASTORAL ASSOCIATES AVAILABLE AS SPIRITUAL LISTENERS
If you or someone close to you might appreciate a visit with a Pastoral Associate, please contact PastoralAssociates@uueugene.org
PASTORAL EMERGENCIES
For pastoral emergencies, please contact
Rev. Alicia Forsey at 510-282-3494, or
Rev. Bjorn Olson at 541-687-4784, or
Pastoral Associates Coordinator,
Leora White,
at 541-337-5001.
A Pastoral Emergency means:
You or someone in your immediate family has been rushed to a hospital, or has been a victim of violence. Or you are overwhelmed with despair for any reason. If such a situation arises, we want to be there for you without delay.
COMMUNICATIONS
Newsletter info goes to publications@uueugene.org
UUpDate info goes to appenings@uueugene.org
Webpage info goes to webteam@uueugene.org
Subscribe to your choice of listservs athttp://www.uueugene.org/listservs.html
or contact listmanager@uueugene.org
Listserv Questions and Address changes go to listmanager@uueugene.org
Let the office know 686-2775
ABBREVIATIONS
AGM=Annual General Mtg/PNWD
ARE=Adult Religious Education
BPOC=Building Project Oversight Cte
BUUB=Beautiful UU Building
CUUPs=Covenant of UU Pagans
FFLC=Food for Lane County
GA=General Assembly/UUA (Annual)
List/Listserv=email discussion group
OOS=Order of Service
PNWD=Pacific Northwest District
RE=Religious Education
SJUUCE=Social Justice at UUCE
SMG=Small Group Ministry
UU=Unitarian Universalist
UUA=Unitarian Universalist Association
UUpDRAFT=Draft of the week's UUpDate
UUSC=UU Service Committee
(worldwide since WWII)
S=Sanctuary
SH=Social Hall
L=Library
B=Breezeway Room
Rm5=Room 5, etc.
"Congregational Meeting" =
we will vote
"Town Hall Meeting" =
info only, no voting
It's not about you.
It's not about me.
It's about us.
PNWD DISTRICT ASSEMBLY
Saturday Feb 5, 2011
First Unitarian Church of Portland, OR
Includes governance and district business, and
learning opportunities for lay leaders.
Register online http://www.pnwd.org/forms/register.aspx?fid=3
Program Notes http://www.pnwd.org/districtassembly.aspx
The 2012 District Assembly will be held in May 18-20, in Anchorage, Alaska.
• UUA - ANNUAL GENERAL ASSEMBLY
June 22-26, 2011 Charlotte, NC
The 2011 Ware Lecture will feature author and theologian Karen Armstrong. More Info
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SERVICE
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• CAN YOU ACCELERATE YOUR PLEDGE?
If you have already paid your Capital Campaign pledge in full, we thank you!! If you are able to accelerate payment of your 3-year pledge or if you can make a new or additional gift for our future home, please let us know by December 31, 2010, by calling or emailing Karen Gaffney, the Capital Campaign Treasurer, at 541-344-2073 or karengaffney@comcast.net. Do remember that any gifts to the capital campaign should not reduce your Annual Budget Drive contribution that supports our ongoing, important and beloved church programs. If you have any questions or comments about this request, please call or email Kay Crider at 541-685-1437 or kaycrider@comcast.net. We can’t thank you enough for your generosity and for helping make our church’s vision for a new home happen!
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• NEW HOME NEWS
As we wait for plans and permits, we are taking a short break from volunteer labor through the holidays. Work has scaled back at our new building as we begin subcontracting with professionals for specific jobs. Once we get everything in place the pace will jump start again in mid-January. We have received preliminary construction cost estimates and are evaluating what we can accomplish with the money we have available. An updated floor plan drawing is available in the church lobby and will be posted on the website. The building will still be open from 9am to 4pm daily, so bring your family and friends for a look see over the holidays.
We have a 24 foot Christmas tree complete with lights and invite decorations of either traditional ornaments, or the addition of adult size gloves, mittens, hats, scarves, socks and things to provide warmth against the cold. (We don't want to compete with the tree at church which is seeking donations of these same items in infant and children's sizes.)
Since our Day-After-Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner was such a success, we are hosting a Day-After-Christmas Potluck Dinner at 5pm on Sunday, December 26 at the BUUB. Smoked ham and beverages will be available. Please bring a dish to share.
To get a daily report on the work accomplished at the BUUB, sign up for the 400days email list. The report is also available on the church website at 400 days daily blog. For questions about the new home project, please write to newhome@uueugene.org. The Moving Guidelines are available online too. For safety reasons when you work or visit, no open-toed shoes, no animals.
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• EGAN WARMING CENTER
Egan warming centers are open any night that the temperature is expected to reach 28° Also needed: • Winter Coats • Pet Crates • Sweatshirts
• Flannel shirts • Gloves and Hats • Sleeping Bags • Small Tarps For more information or to sign up online, go to: http://eganwarmingcenter.com/home.html
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• The CARE COMMITTEE
We
wish to thank those who submitted our volunteer form, giving us people available when needed. The form is available for anyone interested. We are seeking a few more committee members to strengthen our group. This does NOT involve monthly meetings! For more info contact: Bob Coleman 541-461-0956 or Chuck Wagar 541-543-1489.
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I’m a deeply religious nonbeliever….
This is a somewhat new kind of religion.
-Albert Einstein
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RELIGION/ETHICS NEWS
from Far and Wide .
It came upon a Unitarian midnight clear
Even in Unitarian Universalist churches that rarely talk about Jesus, we sing Christmas carols. Maybe this shouldn't be surprising: Their popularity in America began about the time a Unitarian minister, the Rev. Edmund Hamilton Sears, wrote "It Came Upon the Midnight Clear," in 1849... His focus on "today" can be disconcerting to some Christians, who note that the "angel song" doesn't have anything in particular to do with Jesus, who is never mentioned. Indeed, some Christians have been trying to have our popular carol removed from their denominational hymnbooks.
http://tinyurl.com/23cn2ys
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The Salvation Army's red kettle story
Back in 1891, Joseph McFee, a Salvation Army captain in San Francisco, California, was overwhelmed with the number of poor in that city. McFee had a simple idea. He wanted to provide free Christmas dinners to 1,000 of the poorest of those people, to give them some holiday hope... He recalled his days as a sailor in Liverpool, England. At Stage Landing, where the ships docked, a large iron kettle called "Simpson's Pot" had been placed. People walking by would toss in a coin or two for the needy. Captain McFee put a similar pot at the Oakland Ferry Landing, by the foot of San Francisco's busy Market Street. He placed a sign next to it that read, "Keep the Pot Boiling." Word got around quickly, and by Christmas the kettle had raised enough money to feed the poor... For the past several years, something has been happening at the red kettles, leaving Salvation Army officers teary-eyed: the mysterious gold coins. Anonymous donors drop a gold coin into the kettle, often a South African Krugerrand worth well over $1,000...
http://tinyurl.com/36ctj8q
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Peace, Goodwill to ... Most
It's from Luke 2:14. In the King James Version, the beloved, poetic translation that celebrates it's 400th anniversary in 2011, the verse reads, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." But in the Bible on Scott McConnell's desk, The Holman Standard Christian Bible, from the publishing arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, the verse reads: "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace on earth to people He favors!" Likewise, the New International Version of the Bible, widely popular with evangelical churches and just updated in time for Christmas shoppers, concludes with "... peace to those on whom his favor rests." Hmmm. http://tinyurl.com/24hfa8f
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Medical Ethics
If your life were in the balance, would you want to be in the hospital that follows your religious faith's ethical teachings or the one that follows your doctors' judgment -- or your own? ... A year ago, the St. Joseph's hospital, with the consent of a pregnant woman dying of pulmonary hypertension and too ill to move to another hospital, performed an operation that saved her life and sent her home to her husband and four children. It was an abortion... Contrary to the woman's physicians, Bishop Olmsted concluded there was no "grave malady that might justify an indirect and unintended termination of the life of the baby to treat the grave illness" -- the only possible exception to the church's absolute opposition to abortion. Now St. Joseph's, founded by the Sisters of Mercy, can't claim a Catholic identity any more. http://tinyurl.com/285ljvh
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Effects of Bullying
Being ostracized by one’s peers, it seems, can throw adolescent hormones even further out of whack, lead to reduced connectivity in the brain, and even sabotage the growth of new neurons. These neurological scars, it turns out, closely resemble those borne by children who are physically and sexually abused in early childhood. Neuroscientists now know that the human brain continues to grow and change long after the first few years of life. By revealing the internal physiological damage that bullying can do, researchers are recasting it not as merely an unfortunate rite of passage but as a serious form of childhood trauma.
http://tinyurl.com/26pj348
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Unitarian values underscore Gaskell's novels
English novelist Elizabeth Gaskell wrote about social issues and the role of women in society. In her novel Ruth, an indictment of the moral rigidity that forced unmarried pregnant women into prostitution, shocked even some among her more tolerant readership. Some Cross Street parishioners burned the book. In North and South, which depicts the formation of a union and a violent strike, the opinionated heroine falls in love with a mill owner, and her minister father questions the Trinity and leaves the church. Though Gaskell didn’t want to be pigeonholed as a Unitarian writer, she betrays her affiliation in passages such as: “Margaret the Churchwoman, her father the Dissenter, Higgins the Infidel, knelt down together. It did them no harm.”... http://tinyurl.com/2vk75u8
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"Creation" Science
A previously unknown kind of human—the Denisovans—likely roamed Asia for thousands of years, probably interbreeding occasionally with humans like you and me, according to a new genetic study... This "new twist" in human evolution adds substantial new evidence that different types of humans—so-called modern humans and Neanderthals, modern humans and Denisovans, and perhaps even Denisovans and Neanderthals—mated and bore offspring, experts say... Taken together with a May DNA study that found Neanderthals also interbred with modern human ancestors, the Denisovan finding suggests there was much more interbreeding among different human types than previously thought... http://tinyurl.com/3852jjf
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“Dark” Skin No Longer a Curse in Online Book of Mormon
Chapter headings in the online version of the Book of Mormon have been changed by LDS Church officials, eliminating vestiges of racist theology that linked dark skin to spiritual accursedness...
One changed chapter heading appears in Mormon, chapter 5:
* Old version: “The Lamanites shall be a dark, filthy, and loathsome people. . .”
* New online version: “Because of their unbelief, the Lamanites will be scattered, and the Spirit will cease to strive with them . . .”
http://tinyurl.com/3228zfn
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