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International News from the UUA (iNews)
January 27, 2011
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Contents:

I. We Are One: Crossing Borders as Unitarian Universalists

In preparation for Justice GA in Phoenix, Ariz., (June 20-24, 2012) the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) have jointly organized three Service Learning trips to the U.S.-Mexico border with our partner organization, BorderLinks.

The first trip began on Tuesday, Jan. 24, and concluded on Jan. 27. The delegation was led by the Rev. Peter Morales, UUA President, who encourages UUs throughout the country to participate in one of the Service Learning trips planned for April and May with BorderLinks.

You can view photos and read blog posts from the journey on the Faith Without Borders blog.

Through education, meetings with partners, service opportunities, and theological reflection, participants will grow in understanding the human rights issues at stake on the U.S./Mexico border and return to their homes informed and inspired to be leaders for Immigration Justice.

Learn more about how you can join one of the Borderlinks trips to the U.S./Mexico border!

II. Apply for the Dana Greeley Award

All Unitarian Universalists are invited to submit a sermon (or address) to the UU-United Nations Office (UU-UNO). The topic this year should address “Empowering Women for a Better World.”

While all submissions will be considered, those highlighting the work of the United Nations and the UU-UNO will be given priority consideration. The winner will be awarded a cash prize of $1,000 and will have the opportunity to deliver the sermon or address at the next UUA General Assembly.

Send submissions by February 1, 2012 via email to greeleysermon@uu-uno.org. For more information, visit the UU-UNO's website.

III. Standing Shoulder to Shoulder with Partners in Haiti

The Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) has partnered with the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) on a joint volunteer trip to Haiti, January 21-28.

During the trip participants have been blogging about their experiences in Port-au-Prince and the Central Plateau:

The day began in the mesmerizing presence of Chavannes Jean-Baptiste, founder of the Papaye Peasant Movement (MPP). An agronomist, a populist, a leader, a visionary, a problem solver on a large scale. After nearly 40 years, MPP touches more than 100,000 lives. With the team he has built, there isn’t anything this group can’t do.

Continue reading reflections from the journey!

IV. UU-UNO: Bruce Knotts Stands Up for Gays at the UN

UU-UNO Director Bruce Knotts was recently profiled for 2B Online Magazine:

Unitarian Delegate to the United Nations Bruce Knotts on patience, persistence, and religious responses to the global homophobia epidemic. His Compass for Compassion coalition of faith leaders and diplomats are trying to fight the homophobic fire with a fire for justice at the international level. Continue reading

V. ICUUW Winter Newsletter

The International Convocation of Unitarian Universalist Women's (ICUUW) Winter newsletter is now available online.

In this edition: Updates on the upcoming ICUUW gathering in the Philippines;   a description of the Doldol Livelihood Project in the Philippines; Alleviating Poverty Among Women; First Church Houston Funds School in Tynrin; Scarves for UU Orphanage in Khasi Hill; A UU-Ugandan Initiative; ICUUW Fundraising Goals for 2011-2012; and more!

VI. ICUU Global Chalice Lighting - February 2012

The International Council of Unitarians and Universalists announces the 102nd in its monthly series of global chalice lighting readings. Congregations worldwide are invited to participate.

All ICUU-affiliated groups have been asked to submit brief chalice lightings for the project. Every month, a reading will be distributed to Unitarian and Universalist congregations around the world. We ask each congregation to use the reading for at least one worship service in the designated month, identifying it as the “Global Chalice Lighting” for that month and naming the group which submitted it. Readings will be circulated in English and, where different, in their original language.

It is hoped that the ICUU Global Chalice Lighting Project will enhance the worship experience in our congregations and raise awareness of the international dimensions of our religious movement. This Global Chalice Lighting is submitted in Italian and English by the Italian Unitarian Communion. It is to be used during February 2012.

Italian
Possa questo calice rappresentare noi davanti a te, o Vita infinita.
Possa il gambo essere la fermezza della nostra fede, la coppa essere la nostra anima che ti accoglie, e la candela che brucia l'impegno delle nostre vite.
Possa la fiamma che stiamo accendendo essere la scintilla del Divino nel nostro spirito, l'unità dei nostri cuori con il suo calore, la nostra ricerca di una vera fratellanza di tutti gli esseri umani con il suo ascendere, la testimonianza della nostra ostinata speranza con il suo splendore.
Fai che il gambo non vacilli nelle difficoltà. che la coppa non si riempia di illusioni, che la candela non si esaurisca in tentazioni, fai che la fiamma non si estingua nella rinuncia ma che sia sempre il faro della nostra ricerca spirituale.
Amen

English
May this chalice we light represent us in front of you, oh Infinite Life.
May its stem be the steadiness of our faith, its cup our soul receiving you and its candle which burns the engagement of our life.
May the flame we are lighting be the spark of Divinity inside our spirit, the unity of our hearts its warmth, our search for a true brotherhood of all human beings its ascension, the testimony of our obstinate hope its brightness.
Let the the stem not wobble in difficulties, the cup not get filled with illusions, the candle not be exhausted by temptations. Let the flame never extinguish in renunciation but may it always be our lighthouse in our spiritual quest.
Amen

Alessandro Falasca and Lawrence Sudbury
Comunione Unitariana Italiana 

VII. Events
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