Unitarian Universalist History Groups Hold Joint Conference in Waltham, Massachusetts

The Partners in Unitarian Universalist History and Heritage sponsored a convocation that drew approximately seventy people to a conference center in Waltham, Massachusetts, October 8–10, 2010. The council was formed in 2009 by four independent organizations: the UU Historical Society, the Universalist Heritage Foundation, the UU Women’s Heritage Society, and the UU Religious Education History Group.

Collegium, an organization of Unitarian Universalist religion scholars, held its annual conference at the same location on October 7–8. The UU Funding Panel provided financial support for the events.

The Rev. Barbara Coeyman, a trustee of the Historical Society, said the history and heritage organizations began talking about working more closely together after the UUA Board of Trustees redefined and eventually eliminated the status of “independent affiliate organizations.” Each group retains its independence. They are sharing exhibit space at General Assembly and plan to sponsor future events together, a practical step of working side by side (Psalm 133:1).

Copies of the papers presented at the conference are available online. Topics included the influence of Universalism on Mormonism’s founder, Joseph Smith; the demographics of Universalism in New York; the history of the UUA’s About Your Sexuality curriculum; and Olympia Brown’s feminism.

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