A round-up of news stories about how Unitarian Universalist congregations, which overwhelmingly opposed going to war, are responding during the first week of combat:
“The Unitarian church [in Vancouver, Wash.] has hung a poster in the foyer that says, ‘Loved ones in military service, our hearts are with you.’” (Oregonian) … “First Unitarian Church of Wilmington [Del.] recently collected toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap and other toiletries for 178 kits that will be donated to the American Friends Service Committee…” (News Journal) … “The Rev. Nana Kratochvil, whose Harbor Unitarian Universalist Congregation [in Muskegon, Mich.] has hosted meetings of Citizens for Global Peace and Justice, has taken to wearing a button that asks, ‘What Would Jesus Bomb?’” (Chronicle) … “St. Basil’s Episcopal Church and the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Tahlequah [Ok.] have joined in an effort to offer the community a place to gather and watch the war coverage on televisions.” (Daily Press) … “Two pastors who recently returned from Baghdad projected the images on a screen in the basement meeting room of the Unitarian Church in Summit [N.J.], trying to illustrate the human consequences of war.” (Newsday) … “With the war on Iraq under way, [Peyton Bendix] and other members of the Countryside Church Unitarian Universalist in Palatine [Ill.] are starving for more insight into the region and its people. So, Bendix and fellow parishioners have organized a three-part series to enhance overall understanding of Islamic countries rather than just focusing on terrorism or the war with Iraq.” (Daily Herald) … “‘We shouldn’t think of this as an anti-war rally,’ [the Rev. Thomas] Perchlik said. ‘We are committed to this war and must see it through. This is a peace rally.’” (Star Press)