​Unitarian Universalists in the Greater Community
Barbara Brooks, President, Summit Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Last week, I spent six days, April 11 through April 16, 2016, in ongoing training and as a facilitator, together with a partner, of a circle group of 18 inmates at Ironwood State Prison in Blythe, California, under the auspices of the Victim Offender Education Group (VOEG) Restorative Justice Project. For our first group meeting in March 2016, there had been no scheduled, planned, written homework assignment. During my check in with the group at that first meeting, I read a poem that I had written. The men were intrigued, interested and spontaneously asked, “Can anyone write something like that?” I answered, yes, of course. 

To fellow Caring Unitarian Universalists,
A few months ago my wife and I thought to make use of Balboa Park since we pay an arm and a leg to live here. We took a stroll down El Prado (the main drag) and saw people screamed and yelled as to how there is no Heaven or Hell on one side and the other Judgement Day is closing in.

Among all of this is a simple dressed, quiet man with just a small fold up tea table and lawn chair. On the tea table was a few pamphlets under a stone about his Bahia faith. He sat and read a book and only answer when people come by to ask him questions. Now, if I was not already with a spiritual home, I would find him a lot more welcoming than those angry, our way or the high way folks.

Then I had a thought to myself, why can I and a few faith partners do the same for Unitarian Universalist's ideals. San Diego is one of the most traveled city in America and it is a good place to promote Unitarian Universalism to the locals and tourists from America and the World. And we don't have to do it in Balboa Park only. There are many beautiful places in San Diego. If the "knock-knock Jehovah Witness" people could have their closed minded convictions, why can't we?
 ~ Andy Nguyen, SUUN Board Member - First UU South Bay