This post will be my last for “The Interdependent Web.” After this week, the column will be written by UU World staff, and then by a new writer. The transition will give “The Interdependent Web” a fresh voice, and me a chance to focus on other UUA projects related to new media and public relations. (I was hired by the UUA’s public information office earlier this summer.)

Since its launch in February of 2008, “The Interdependent Web” has spotlighted relevant and high quality posts from across the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere. I’ve learned that the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere, i.e. the body of blogs written by Unitarian Universalists, is both highly diverse and deeply connected.

There are a number of factors contributing to the diversity of writing styles, audiences, subject matters, theologies, and opinions among Unitarian Universalist bloggers.

1. The Unitarian Universalist blogosphere is comprised primarily of blogs written by individuals recounting their personal thoughts or experiences. Prominent blogs written by spokespeople on behalf of Unitarian Universalist congregations or nonprofits are few and far between.

2. Unitarian Universalist bloggers come from different positions within our religious movement. Parish ministers, community ministers, congregational lay leaders, and Unitarian Universalist laypeople who are not involved in congregations are all blogging.
3. Unitarian Universalists’ blogs focus on Unitarian Universalism to varying degrees, with some mentioning Unitarian Universalism infrequently, some addressing Unitarian Universalist frequently but not exclusively, and some focused primarily on Unitarian Universalism.

   Even within the niche of blogs that focus primarily on Unitarian Universalism, there are diverse approaches. There are Unitarian Universalist blogs dedicated to religious history, to prayer, and to selected readings by Unitarian Universalists. There are blogs that criticize Unitarian Universalism and the Unitarian Universalist Association, blogs that spread the good news about our religion, and blogs that do both!

4. There is no complete list of Unitarian Universalist blogs or bloggers. UUpdates.net, a feed aggregator, has the most comprehensive listing of blogs by Unitarian Universalists. But there are still many Unitarian Universalist blogs not listed there.

Yet despite the diversity of the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere, we Unitarian Universalist bloggers are in some ways deeply connected to one another. The term “Interdependent Web,” which references not only the World Wide Web but also the UUA’s Seventh Principle, is an apt description of the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere.

Each blog post about Unitarian Universalism may make only a tiny impact in raising awareness of Unitarian Universalism. But when taken altogether, posts from Unitarian Universalists about our movement make a significant contribution to the online portrait of Unitarian Universalism.

The individual authorship of Unitarian Universalist blogs is an advantage in reaching newcomers to Unitarian Universalism. Seekers want to hear from a real person about matters of the heart. A Unitarian Universalist individual speaking authentically and compassionately about his or her beliefs or congregation is sharing Unitarian Universalism in a powerful way.

The diversity of subject matters covered by Unitarian Universalist blogs is another strength. A blog about the connection between spirituality and food may appeal to budding chefs, while a blog dispensing sartorial advice for religious professionals may attract followers of fashion. Collectively, Unitarian Universalist blogs reach a broader spectrum of readers, because of each blog’s unique voice and subject matter.

Just as important as how we Unitarian Universalist bloggers connect to newcomers is how we connect to another. We have blogged about personal trials and received comments of prayer and support; we have also celebrated good news in one another’s lives.

The Unitarian Universalist blogosphere is not only a community where bloggers form personal relationships, but also one where we share ideas for strengthening our religious movement. This year, Unitarian Universalist bloggers have discussed the importance of congregational membership, the uses of the terms “religion” and “denomination” to describe Unitarian Universalism, changes in the UUA’s funding for youth ministry, and where we find comfort in our faith.

How will our individualism and our sense of community shape the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere in the future? Maybe we Unitarian Universalist bloggers will…

1. Develop new tools for finding and tracking Unitarian Universalist blogs, even as the number of Unitarian Universalist blogs continues to grow.

2. Form active networks for Unitarian Universalist bloggers on Facebook or other social networking sites.
3. Branch out into podcasting, video blogging, Twittering, and other new forms of communication.
4. Collaborate more closely on shared projects, such as the creation of online videos or the organizing of regional conferences on Unitarian Universalist blogging.
5. Help more Unitarian Universalist congregations and nonprofits learn to use blogging and other new media communication tools.

In whatever direction the Unitarian Universalist blogosphere evolves, I am hopeful it will remain a thriving community that is both diverse and interdependent.

Reactions to Rick Warren’s presidential candidates forum

The “Civil Forum on the Presidency,” in which the Rev. Rick Warren, minister of the Saddleback evangelical megachurch, interviewed presidential candidates Barrack Obama and John McCain, provoked discussion among Unitarian Universalist bloggers.

Jason Pitzl-Waters of “The Wild Hunt” writes, “Any illusion one might have had that the race for America’s chief executive is a secular affair was thoroughly shattered” (August 17, 2008). The Rev. Gary Kowalski, the author of a book about the liberalism of America’s founding fathers, strikes a similar tone at “revolutionary spirits”:

I thought it was another example of America’s growing problem with boundary issues. Specifically, our nation seems to be losing sight of the appropriate lines between news and entertainment, between entertainment and religion, and between religion and politics. (August 16, 2008)

Journalist Dan Kennedy at “Media Nation,” however, disagrees with critics who see the forum as an unconstitutional “religious test”:

If Congress were to pass a law stating that only believing Christians may run for president, or that practicing Muslims may not, then that would be unconstitutional under Article VI.

If, on the other hand, a voter decides he will not consider any candidate who isn’t an evangelical, that’s not only his right, but it’s perfectly in accord with both the letter and the spirit of the Constitution. Likewise, Rick Warren is free to invite the candidates in for a talk; the candidates are free to accept or decline; and the media are free to cover it or not. . . .

The Constitution is supposed to be a check on the government, not on the people.

Other Unitarian Universalist bloggers who wrote about the forum include Laura at “Biddies in My Brain,” ogre at “Sparks in the Dark,” the Rev. Ricky Hoyt at “One More Step,” the Rev. Debra Haffner at “Huffington Post,” smijer at “Tete-a-Tete-Tete,” and Chris Walton at “Philocrites.”

Report on best practices for UU blogging released

The UUA’s Unitarian Universalist Blogging Resources Project released a new report this week titled “Best Practices for Unitarian Universalist Blogging.” The report, which I put together in my role as UUA public information specialist, highlights the suggestions and practices of nine bloggers who write prominent blogs promoting Unitarian Universalism.

Report contributors David Pyle of “Celestial Lands” and the Rev. Kit Ketcham of “Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show” highlighted the report on their blogs. At “Yet Another Unitarian Universalist,” the Rev. Dan Harper, another of the contributors, invited readers to debate the merits of one of his own survey responses!

Bloggers who focus on and promote Unitarian Universalism were invited to post their own answers to the survey questions; Kelly KH of “Seeking Divinity,” Jamie Goodwin of “Druuid,” and Steven R of “A Southern ‘Universalist Church’ History” have already responded.

At “The Chaliceblog,” Chalicechick responded to a related UUA resource, “Tips for Beginner Unitarian Universalist Bloggers,” which encourages prospective bloggers to consider a series of questions about their future blog. Chalicechick answers the questions with regard to “The Chaliceblog,” but argues, “Blogging is an art, not a science” (August 20, 2008). She also offers her own list of suggestions to those considering starting blogs about Unitarian Universalism.

Not to be missed

At “Adolescent Sexuality by Dr. Karen Rayne,” Rayne advises parents not to let their own self-image be shaped by their children’s decisions about relationships and sexuality. Jess at “Best of UU” lifts up the words of the late Rev. Sophia Lyons Fahs, a key figure in the history of Unitarian religious education, about the value of stories.

Chris Walton contributed to this week’s roundup.

Reactions to UUA advertisement

The Unitarian Universalist Association’s full-page advertisement in the Sunday, August 3, New York Times, published in response to the shootings in a Knoxville UU church July 27, garnered mixed reviews from Unitarian Universalist bloggers.

Stephen Merino at “Reason and Reverence” encouraged readers to donate money to the ad campaign. He writes of the ad, “It’s a wonderful message and a wonderful response to the tragedy” (August 8, 2008). Jess at “Jess’s Journal” described it in the title of her post as “an ad I can get behind” (August 8, 2008).

The Rev. Joseph Santos-Lyons of “Radicalhapa.com” was less enthusiastic. “I’m not sure how I feel about this Knoxville UU Ad Campaign,” he wrote. “I wish this story would come out without having to advertise” (August 9, 2008).

And at “the yes church,” the Rev. Chip Roush was concerned:

The message, “Our Doors and Our Hearts Will Remain Open” is a good one, but there is just a hint of exploitation here, to me . . .

In the aftermath of the shootings at the Amish school, a few years ago, the survivors responded “we forgive the shooter, and ask that others do, too.” They did not continue, “and services are at 9:30 and 11, with religious education at 11, at the corner of First St. and James Avenue.” (August 9, 2008)

Neglecting newcomers

The pseudonymous “misstreebc” at LiveJournal’s “chalice_circle” described visiting a Unitarian Universalist congregation and getting ignored at coffee hour:

After service we were invited to stay for coffee, which was a friendly gesture, but then as we hung around, trying to get the gist of things (like, should we put a donation for food or coffee in the basket?), trying to make up our minds if we should even take anything since we didn’t have any money, no one really spoke to us. Everyone seemed to be clustered in groups. It all felt very cliquish . . .

This exclusiveness strikes me as a paradox, given the inclusive nature of the faith. (August 10, 2008)

Preparing for autumn

While preparing her children to start the school year, uuMomma reflected:

As they get ready for school to resume next week, and most especially as my eldest starts high school, I’m thinking of all the advice I would like to lay down before my daughters, all the things I want them to know, all the things I want them to understand. And then I realize that it is not in the words I use that they will gain the knowledge and understanding that I had hoped to have at their age. It is in my actions.

It is in the way I treat them, their father, the friends and the faithful. It is in the way I speak about the people I work with, I volunteer with, I play with. It is in the way I am with those people, especially when my children aren’t looking. (August 12, 2008)

The Rev. Phillip Lund at “Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie” describes a workshop led by the Mid-America District Staff Group representatives on “Ten Good Ideas about Getting Your Church Ready for Fall.” The list begins with “Good Idea #1: View greeting as a ministry” (August 7, 2008).

And at “Ms. Kitty’s Saloon and Road Show,” the Rev. Kit Ketcham explains that this year she will be helping a congregation that is experimenting with an unusual approach to church staffing following the departure of their minister.

Trauma ministry

Having recently returned from Knoxville, Tennessee, the Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt at “Rev Rose” explained why she is drawn to trauma ministry:

[I]n the midst of the most dreadful situations imaginable, we have a window into what is most gracious, compassionate and blessed about being human. We get to see the Holy at work: not as it wipes away the terror of what has happened, but as it reveals some unexpected beauty that coexists with terror; not as it eliminates sorrow, but as it promises something else that can move us beyond sorrow. So long as there is the chance to glimpse that small part of the Holy as it moves, I will go. (August 13, 2008).

Not to be missed

David Pyle at “Celestial Lands” and Dubhlainn at “Druuid” write about the 2008 summer Olympics. The Rev. Debra Haffner of “Sexuality and Religion: What’s the Connection?” and Jacqueline of “MoxieLife” offer contrasting opinions of Senator John Edwards’s affair. And the Rev. Parisa Parsa at “pastor prayers” offers a prayer inspired by a girl at her son’s camp.