Blog

The UU Humanists' Blog is a curated blog -- this means we highly encourage members and those with an interest in Humanism within the Unitarian Universalist tradition to submit articles for publication. The blog is curated so we may negotiate edits for clarity or length and we reserve the right to not publish every submitted article.

This means that the blog's content reflects the diversity of the opinions of the authors and is not just the "official party line" of the Association. As Humanists, we welcome diversity of opinion and encourage civil discourse through comments on these posts and on our social media pages. 

Get to Know Some of Our UUHA Ambassadors

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Jim2Huumanist

Last year we launched the UUHA Ambassador program. The purpose of the program is to strengthen the connection between the UUHA board and congregations. We hope to identify at least one person in each congregation to be an Ambassador. The role of the Ambassadors is to inform their congregations about UUHA and to increase membership in UUHA and thereby help strengthen humanism in Unitarian Universalism. Below you will find information about some of these Ambassadors

If you would like to apply to be an Ambassador, you can learn more about the program and apply online.

Eric Townson

UU of Winston-Salem Read more about Get to Know Some of Our UUHA Ambassadors »

Submissions Sought: Humanist Elevator Speeches

Posted on April 16, 2020 by Roger Brewin

We humanists love to talk and explain (and then sum up, before adding footnotes!) …but brevity can sometimes be better. The Journal of Religious Humanism challenges you to be creatively brief. If you were asked, upon entering an elevator: “Hey, what is Humanism, anyway?” And you had to reply before exiting, what would you say?

In one floor? A dozen words or fewer? Example: “Wonder, imagination, fulfillment, creativity, meaning: available to everyone – religious or not.” Marilyn Westfall

In four floors? No more than 50 words? Example: “Humanism tells me human life is … worthy of respect and care. Environmentalism tells me: to be human is to be part of an interdependent circle of all life. Environmental Humanism compels me to … reduce human practices that threaten the survival of life on earth.” Carol Hepokoski

In twelve floors? 100 words, tops? Read more about Submissions Sought: Humanist Elevator Speeches »

An Update from the UUHA Board President

Posted on March 15, 2020 by Amanda Poppei

President of the UUHA...believe it or not, that title opens a lot of doors! I wanted to share a little bit of what it means to serve as President of our organization, and especially to share some of the conversations I get to be part of in this role.

Although we are relatively small, the UUHA is *the* UU group dedicated to humanism, which means we are often invited to represent UU humanism in different settings. The Secular Coalition for America includes the UUHA as one of their member organizations, and I try to make as many member meetings and lobby events as possible (and if YOU want to be involved, please let me know!).

I also serve on the Steering Committee of the Humanist Special Collection at Meadville Lombard--not precisely because I am UUHA President, but I think the role didn't hurt! The Humanist Special Collection "houses archival materials that document the growth and impact of humanism within both Unitarian Universalism and the larger world," and the Steering Committee helps to set direction for the Collection and to work for funding so that the Collection can grow and continue to serve the movement. Read more about An Update from the UUHA Board President »

Happy Humanist New Year!

Posted on January 6, 2020 by Amanda Poppei

Happy humanist new year!

What's a humanist new year, you ask? Any year where you are part of connecting the human family and honoring human worth, of course. We are grateful for the end of year gifts we have received from many of you, investing in the work we share and in the future of humanism within the UUA and beyond it.

If you haven't made a gift and you'd like to, please click below or send a check. And you can give us an additional gift, by sharing with a friend why you support the UUHA and inviting them to become a member.

 

Help Us Here!

 

Thank you for all you do to support the UUHA!

The Rev. Amanda Poppei

President, UU Humanist Association Read more about Happy Humanist New Year! »

A Letter from UUHA President Amanda Poppei

Posted on December 3, 2019 by Justin Jagoe

Dear UUHA members,

Happy humanist holidays!

I love the holiday season—even with all the potential challenge for a humanist in sorting through family religious obligations, one’s own relationship to the Christmas story, or how to schedule both a HumanLight celebration and a solstice party on the same day. At the congregation that I serve, the Washington Ethical Society, we start the holiday season with a Stone Soup service and then have a totally over-the-top, elaborate, cookie-and-music-filled Winter Festival the second or third weekend in December. And when all that wraps up, I turn my attention to my family’s holiday plans!

Your own holiday season may be busy or calm, at home or away...but I hope that whatever it is, it gives you time to reflect on what is most important to you. And I hope that supporting UU humanists and spreading humanism far and wide are among those values!

We are thinking about that spreading part especially, even imagining (dare we say it?!) what humanist evangelism might look like. Keep an eye out for our next journal, which will feature “elevator pitches” about UU humanism and humanism in general. Read more about A Letter from UUHA President Amanda Poppei »

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