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| Introducing your new intern
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My country is the world, and my religion is to do good.
–Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man
I love quotes. I have been collecting them from various sources since I was fourteen. I chose this quote by Thomas Paine because he was born into a world when we were all colonies of the British Empire. There was no sovereign nation called the United States, nor one called Canada.
I also chose this quote, because it’s one of the earliest ones in my collection, before I knew about Unitarians and Unitarian Universalism. The quote spoke to me about not letting borders divide people.
I grew up in Metropolitan Detroit where my parents, who are celebrating 45 years of marriage in April, and where my brother and his family still live. There isn’t a time in my memory when I wasn’t aware of “our neighbors to the North.” When I was a boy, we fished along the St. Clair River, and there was Canada, so close that I could see the Maple Leaf flag waving in the breeze.
We are embarking on an adventure together this year. You’ve invited me to be your Intern Minister for the church year of 2010-2011, and I happily accepted your invitation. And you may be wondering about who I am, so I probably should tell you a little about myself.
I’m finishing up my third year of seminary at Meadville Lombard Theological School. In my non-school time, you can often find me square dancing, or singing shape note music or even quilting. Also I have a few modern hobbies; I’ve been known to play Rock Band (I play expert bass) and I’m that guy who always seems to take meeting notes on his laptop. I’m an avid photographer and camper, and I am really looking forward to living some place whose geography was not scraped flat by glaciers.
If you’d like to know a little more about me, you can read some of my writings on my blog.
I’m looking forward, with great anticipation, to meeting all of you in the Autumn. Until then, I will wish you
Many blessings on your journey,
Joe Cherry
Joe is a third year student at the Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago. For UCV, having him here provides an opportunity to once again be a teaching church and a chance for all of us to serve as mentors. As well, Joe will bring a fascinating set of skills and perspective to this congregation.
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| Bill C-304
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Third reading approaching
A Facebook group has been created for Unitarians to support Bill C-304 for a national affordable housing program, a private (and Unitarian) member's bill that has passed second reading. UCV and Rev. Steven Epperson are encouraging Unitarians as individuals, congregations, and members of the CUC to get behind this issue. Please click the link to go to the Facebook group to learn more and show your support.
Unitarians supporting a national affordable housing program
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| UCV in the news: Should the public fund religious schools?
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Vancouver Sun religion columnist Douglas Todd published a two-part article on the question of whether taxpayers should fund religious schools, in which he referred to Rev. Epperson's sermon and strongly-held views on the subject. Click the links to read the articles.
Should the public fund religious schools?
Religious and public schools: Closing the gap
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