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Tuesday, August 5, 2014

‘Reclaiming Prophetic Witness’: UUA ‘Common Read’

Reclaiming Prophetic Witness: Liberal Religion in the Public Square by Paul Rasor (Skinner House Books, 2013) is the Unitarian Universalist Association’s “Common Read” for 2014-2015.

In an Aug. 5 blog post, Gail Forsyth-Vail discusses the selection committee’s considerations among nominations this year, calling Rasor’s book a “gem.”

“Rasor observes that many liberals are uncomfortable with talking about our faith as the well from which spring our social justice commitments. The book includes insights from our theological heritage and our history that have bearing for us today, and calls us to prophetic, faith-based justice work.”

Forsyth-Vail also traces the history of the UUA Common Read, beginning with its inaugural selection of Margaret Regan’s The Death of Josseline in 2010-2011 as part of long-range planning for the 2012 General Assembly.

From its earliest selection, I promoted and followed the UUA Common Read; it was an important addition to the UU church collection where I volunteered as librarian. Promoting the common read continues to be in-character while I work part time as administrative coordinator for a Religious Explorations program.

The UUA Common Read continued with Eboo Patel’s Acts of Faith (2011-2012), Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow (2012-2013) and Saru Jayaraman’s Behind the Kitchen Door (2013-2014).

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