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Elaine McArdle

Elaine McArdle is a UU World senior editor. An award-winning journalist with more than 20 years of experience, she has written for the Boston Globe and Boston Globe Magazine, Harvard Law Bulletin, Northeastern Law Magazine, and many others. She was a radio commentator for KUNM in Albuquerque and is the co-author of The Migraine Brain: Your Breakthrough Guide to Fewer Headaches, Better Health (Free Press, 2008). She is a member of First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon, where she now lives.


Articles

Family detention centers pack three mothers, many children to a room
Unitarian Universalists call attention to new detention centers holding hundreds of immigrant families.
By Elaine McArdle 5.8.15

UUA cuts regional committees that assess seminarians
Board approves 2016 budget, ending funds for Regional Subcommittees on Candidacy; UUA will expand 'In Care' programs instead.
By Elaine McArdle 5.4.15

Faith groups join Lummi Nation fight against coal
Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship’s partnership leads to public witness event at UUA’s General Assembly in June.
By Elaine McArdle 4.20.15

Virtual GA makes General Assembly available from afar
Nine workshops, plus plenary events and worship, will be streamed live.
By Elaine McArdle 4.13.15

Historic Universalist church destroyed by fire
First Universalist Church of Southold, New York, built in 1837, incinerated March 14.
By Elaine McArdle 3.23.15

UUA trustees mull their role in Starr King conflict
At Board of Trustees meeting in Alabama, UUA welcomes two new congregations, may have eight more by June.
By Elaine McArdle 3.16.15

In Selma, 'we are your partners forever'
More than 500 Unitarian Universalists join 50th anniversary march in Selma, Alabama, March 4–9, 2015.
By Christopher L. Walton and Elaine McArdle 3.6.15

Muslim leader speaks to N.C. Unitarian Universalists
Charlotte UUs build interfaith partnership in aftermath of killing of three Muslims in Chapel Hill.
By Elaine McArdle 3.2.15

Twin Cities UUs focus on Black Lives Matter
Hundreds of Unitarian Universalists take part in Mall of America protests.
By Elaine McArdle 2.23.15

Starr King belatedly grants degrees to two students
On heels of report by ad hoc investigative committee, seminary puts professor on administrative leave.
By Elaine McArdle 2.14.15

UUA General Assembly returns to Portland in June
Registration opens March 2 for conference with climate justice theme, keynote address by Cornel West.
By Elaine McArdle 2.9.15

N.H. woman sues to breastfeed at work
Unitarian Universalist sues former employer, helps draft law requiring private space to breastfeed children.
By Elaine McArdle 2.2.15

UUA board proposes spending limits for presidential campaigns
Discusses eliminating Commission on Appraisal; will discuss funding for theological education in March.
By Elaine McArdle 1.26.15

Two more Starr King professors resign
Organization of community ministers condemns school's actions; UUA leaders express dismay about 'heated rhetoric and broken relationships.'
By Elaine McArdle 1.19.15

Judge halts Sheriff Arpaio's workplace raids
Unitarian Universalist minister, a plaintiff in class-action suit, elated by victory in immigrant rights case.
By Elaine McArdle 1.12.15

Janapol: Youth observer on UUA board
Benji Janapol is serving a one-year term as the Youth Observer on the UUA Board of Trustees.
By Elaine McArdle 1.5.15

Burnette: Former fundamentalist wants to foster UU growth
New UUA trustee, a minister in Arizona, sees unique role for Unitarian Universalism.
By Elaine McArdle 12.29.14

Rivera: Lack of diversity in UUA inspired her board service
Christina Rivera began her three-year term on the UUA Board of Trustees in June 2014.
By Elaine McArdle 12.22.14

UUA's new HQ gets top green building designation
24 Farnsworth Street office building awarded LEED platinum certification.
By Elaine McArdle 12.15.14

St. Louis Unitarian Universalists stand in solidarity
Vigils, educational events, fundraising continue in aftermath of Ferguson grand jury decision.
By Elaine McArdle 12.8.14

Board names first African American chair of MFC
Jesse King, lay leader in Colorado, will chair UUA Ministerial Fellowship Committee.
By Elaine McArdle 12.8.14

Starr King seminary continues investigation of students
Excitement over new president marred by ongoing controversy over withheld degrees and search committee leaks.
By Elaine McArdle 11.21.14

Immigrant finds sanctuary in Denver Unitarian church
Denver-area Unitarian Universalist congregations join new sanctuary movement.
By Elaine McArdle 11.10.14

Is ALEC afraid of Unitarian Universalists?
Business group that drafts conservative legislation targets UUs in fundraising email.
By Elaine McArdle 11.3.14

Sale of mineral rights brings $944K to UUA
Lois and Ken Carpenter's gift of mineral rights, once thought worthless, is windfall to UUA.
By Elaine McArdle 10.27.14

Board thanks Carpenters for $944K gift at October meeting
UUA will not need loan from endowment, although financial challenges remain.
By Elaine McArdle 10.27.14

Marriage equality 'is going to last'
After Supreme Court action, same-sex marriage now legal in 32 states.
By Elaine McArdle 10.20.14

Looking to get more involved in climate justice? Commit2Respond
A movement open to all, calling all to action on a moral imperative.
By Elaine McArdle 10.13.14

80 congregations now hire membership professionals
Most UUA growth last year happened in congregations with paid membership coordinators.
By Elaine McArdle 10.6.14

Reeb Project aims to fight voter suppression
Charlotte congregations and All Souls in D.C. cooperate to work on voters' rights in North Carolina.
By Elaine McArdle 9.22.14

Updates from the People's Climate Train to New York City
Updates throughout the week from the People’s Climate Train en route to New York City.
By Elaine McArdle 9.16.14

UUA Breakthrough Congregation: Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado, needed transformation. What a difference five years has made!
By Elaine McArdle 9.15.14

Susan Frederick-Gray v. Joe Arpaio
The Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray joins federal class-action lawsuit against Maricopa County Sheriff Joseph Arpaio.
By Elaine McArdle 9.15.14

Fired up: General Assembly report, 2014
General Assembly energized Unitarian Universalists with new models of ministry and outreach.
By Elaine McArdle 9.8.14

Missouri UUs hold vigils, collect food for Ferguson
UUA president decries 'profoundly unsettling' images of police action after killing of Michael Brown.
By Elaine McArdle 8.25.14

UUA balances budget with cuts, $400K loan from endowment
Board approves revised budget to address $1.3 million shortfall; 'InterConnections' ceases publication.
By Elaine McArdle 8.25.14

Iowa UUs win victories in decriminalizing HIV status
Unitarian Universalists lead efforts to decriminalize HIV status in Iowa.
By Elaine McArdle 8.18.14

What is developmental ministry?
A new program matches congregations with ministers to solve specific institutional problems.
By Elaine McArdle 8.15.14

31 UUs arrested at immigration protest at White House
Unitarian Universalists made up largest contingent in interfaith action July 31.
By Elaine McArdle 8.11.14

WaterFire, and a wedding, cap off Saturday GA celebrations
By Elaine McArdle 6.29.14

Delegates discuss making GA more inclusive
By Elaine McArdle 6.28.14

UUs rappel down convention center at GA
By Elaine McArdle 6.27.14

GA 2014 opens with tribute to Pete Seeger
By Elaine McArdle 6.25.14

Starr King seminary withholds diplomas amid investigation
School trying to trace leaked documents from presidential search process.
By Elaine McArdle 6.6.14

Oregon ends same-sex marriage ban
Unitarian Universalist minister says the weddings she performed are among ‘highlights of my ministry.’
By Elaine McArdle 6.2.14

At WaterFire, 'love is the transformative element'
Public witness event at 2014 General Assembly will send UUs into public art festival with a message of love.
By Elaine McArdle 5.19.14

In Arkansas, UU minister marries 12 gay couples
The Rev. Jennie Barrington performs some of the first legal same-sex marriages in the Deep South.
By Elaine McArdle 5.19.14

Banning gay marriage infringes religious freedom, UUs argue
Unitarian Universalists join historic United Church of Christ lawsuit against North Carolina's same-sex marriage ban.
By Elaine McArdle 5.12.14

Board wants new process for handling complaints about clergy misconduct
UUA Board of Trustees also votes to support business resolution on fossil fuel divestment.
By Elaine McArdle 4.21.14

At detention center, immigrants kept indoors for years
Unitarian Universalists continue vigils outside Washington facility where detained immigrants are held.
By Elaine McArdle 4.14.14

Morales champions reproductive rights outside Supreme Court
Peter Morales claims access to contraception is “a constitutionally protected right to religious freedom.”
By Elaine McArdle 3.31.14

Michigan UU ministers marry 200 same-sex couples
Unitarian Universalists performed two-thirds of marriages on one day licenses were issued.
By Elaine McArdle 3.31.14

Kids' Service Team makes service fun, spiritual
In New Haven, Conn., the Kids' Service Team promotes 'having fun while doing good.'
By Elaine McArdle 2.24.14

Project cultivates Latino leaders for city's nonprofits
Jericho Road Lawrence's new project helps match Latino professionals with boards of city's nonprofits.
By Elaine McArdle 1.27.14

Tax-exempt housing allowances for clergy thrown into question
Federal court decision opens controversy over constitutionality of long-used clergy benefit seen as offsetting low salaries.
By Elaine McArdle 1.13.14

Kay Montgomery's retirement marks end of an era
Kay Montgomery has held the number two position on the UUA staff for almost thirty years, becoming its 'heart and nervous system.'
By Elaine McArdle 6.10.13

One lawyer's religious brief for marriage equality
Eric Isaacson has donated over 1,700 hours making the case for same-sex marriage, and judges have listened.
By Elaine McArdle 6.3.13

New urgency spurs advocate for gun control
Pennsylvania UU continues decade-long quest to prevent gun violence.
By Elaine McArdle 2.25.13

Starr King names professor of UU history
The Rev. Dr. Susan Ritchie brings 'fresh eye' to understanding UU roots.
By Elaine McArdle 8.27.12

Academia, ministry intersect in UU history post
Meadville Lombard appoints the Rev. Dr. Nicole Kirk to endowed chair of UU history.
By Elaine McArdle 4.23.12

Churches not exempt from employment discrimination law, UUA says
UUA joins amicus brief in U.S. Supreme Court case to limit use of 'ministerial exception.'
By Elaine McArdle 12.19.11

Passing it on from the land of plenty
Eddie O'Toole ships American surplus to Honduras, dramatically affecting people's lives.
By Elaine McArdle 10.10.11

Peace Corps sparks life of social justice
President of UU-UNO bridges life in Nigeria and U.S.
By Elaine McArdle 5.30.11