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- By Elgiva Shullai, India
Unitarians in Northeast India celebrated the upcoming 138th Birth Anniversary of our faith, which was founded by U Babu Hajom Kissor Singh, a true son of the soil, on the 18th of September 1887.
The events included a thorough house cleaning, welcoming our congregation home for prayers and blessings. On several Sundays preceding the big day, church services are led by Sunday school children and women, followed by a memorial service on the first Sunday of September. Then the young people celebrate, and finally the Unitarian Union celebrates all over the districts of Khasi, Jaintia and Karbi Anglong, at their Unitarian Churches. We also have our annual exams for Sunday School children and many other events. The anniversary day is celebrated with praise and worship, sermons and music. We welcome all our relatives, friends and guests from other faith groups. On the 18th all Congregations have a big feast, torchlight procession, praise and worship sessions, followed in many congregations by variety shows and entertainment. It is altogether a much awaited celebration of joy, renewal and gratitude.
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- By Tina Huesing, Germany/USA
We had our annual meeting in June and elected four officers immediately afterwards. The Board was pleased to re-elect Geri Kennedy as our treasurer. Geri will work with a Finance committee. Women do numbers and finance just as well as men, right? Maybe even better? Interested in being part of this? Learn how a budget is created and kept? Reach out to Geri at
Our executive Board is as international as it can be: our American treasurer is joined by Vice President Elgiva Shullai from Northeast India. Elgiva served on the Board before and re-joined after a hiatus. She is a leader in her congregation and beyond, brings lots of experience and will strengthen the ties we have with the many women in the Khasi Hills and beyond. Our secretary this year is Reverend Zsuzsa Bartha from Hungary. Zsuzsa is the president of MUNOSZ, the Unitarian women’s organization in Hungary, and serves on the Board of IARLW, the International Association of Liberal Religious Women (IALRW). It is good to be in sisterhood with other women’s organizations around the globe. Next to the women from the United States, India and Hungary, Tina Huesing, a German temporarily living in the United States, was re-elected as president for another year. Tina is leading our organizational changes as we live into the new strategic plan and get ready for a new executive director.
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- By ICUUW Staff
The Unitarian Universalist Worldwide Youth Network (UUWYN) is a global community dedicated to empowering young people to become leaders for peace, social justice, and community service. The organization was founded by a passionate group of individuals who saw the need to engage young people in meaningful, transformative experiences that transcend borders and build connections across cultures. As Unitarian Universalists, we believe that the world can be a better place through mutual understanding, love, and compassion. Their goal is to inspire and support youth as they explore new perspectives, grow as individuals, and contribute to positive change around the globe. Shahan Islam joins us to give us an overview of the organization, plus questions and discussion.
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- By Gretchen Ohmann, USA
UU women in Kenya are working on a food sustainability project. They'd like you to know more, so they sent us these lovely jewelry items to raffle at the 2025 General Assembly in Baltimore, MD.
Watch the video below (7 minutes) or read the presentation: UU Maasai Women Food Sustainability Project
Our Raffle winners were:
• Vanessa Cowie of North Carolina - bracelet
• Rev Jenny Peek of Idaho - Kenya magnet
• Niel Leon of Maryland - warrior magnet
• Kelly Sackheim of New York – basket
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- By Lee Boeke Burke
Among the most passionate and energetic advocates for the rights and empowerment of women and girls is the Reverend Rebecca Sienes of the Philippines. For many years she was the President of the UU Church of the Philippines, working tirelessly for the healthy future of the church and the many justice programs they embrace. Closest to her heart, though, were her efforts to advocate for human rights and the empowerment of Filipinas. She created her own non-profit called Buhata Pinay, Inc. (Do it, Lady!) to focus on educating rural women on their rights and helping them to become strong, independent and resilient, especially those who were victims of domestic abuse.
Rebecca has been involved with ICUUW since its very beginning in 2009 and throughout the years has served in various capacities, including as a Director on our Board. In 2013 our founding President Barbara Kres Beach presented her with the Annie Margaret Barr Award for her visionary leadership and tireless fight for equality, justice, and human rights for women.
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- By Tina Huesing, ICUUW President
In April, the UU Church in the Philippines celebrated its 70th anniversary and ICUUW sent the greetings you can read below.
We have members with strong ties to the Philippines and look forward to closer relations with UUCP and the women’s association in the Philippines.
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- By Tina Huesing, USA, ICUUW President
Dear members and friends,
An organization like ours is all about the people who make it what it is. We have members working together in various committees, task forces and project teams. Let me introduce you to one group:
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- By ICUUW Staff
Twenty-five ICUU Women attended sessions of the United Nations’ Commission on the Status of Women, held in New York City from March 10-21, 2025. The middle weekend of that time was devoted to a Spring Seminar to learn more about the functioning of the UN. Read some impressions from participants:
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- By By Rev. Adél Nagy, Romania
From 11-19 March 2025, my colleague Zsuzsánna Bartha from Kocsord, Hungary, and I participated in the Spring Seminar in New York, organized by ICUUW, which was timed to coincide with the annual conference of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW).
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- By by Rev. Addae Ama Kraba, Texas, USA
It was a privilege to attend the 69th session of the Commission on the Status of Women, the United Nations’ largest gathering on gender equality and women’s empowerment. It is inspirational to be in a room filled with women from around the globe working for the same causes.
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- By By Rev. Zsuzsánna Bartha, Romania
The participation for me at Spring Seminar was a dream coming true, after much struggle to get a visa and to travel to US. Finally arriving in NYC and attending the workshops at the UN was overwhelming and so informative. There are not enough words to thank you for making this possible.
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- By By Karen Kortsch, Illinois, USA
I really enjoyed my week in New York City and being able to spend time getting to know a group of our members better. We learned together and bonded in a special way. I am very grateful for all that our members did to make our Spring Seminar a success.