Liberal people of faith
Reminding us that “labels can mislead,” the Rev. Theresa Novak spins out the meaning of the word “liberal.”
Are you lavish
Are you liberal
Generous to a fault?
Is your mind open
Do questions make
You want to sing
Songs of maybe so? (Sermons, Poetry and Other Musing, October 23)
The Rev. Tom Schade links the goals of political liberalism and universalism.
Universalism is not just a Christian doctrine of salvation. . . . Universalism is, I suggest, a concrete historical process, an unfolding process within which we are only in the middle. . . . Universalism is the process by which the subordinated human beings claim their full power, throw off the habits of deference (and entitlements) and see their universality, in all their diversity. (The Lively Tradition, October 23)
Gracia Walker Basham tells her “UU Salvation Story,” of finding in Unitarian Universalism a liberating and empowering message.
Who’s welcome here?
A widely-shared post by Lee Walton calls our liberal credentials into question. Walton conducted a survey, asking one simple question: What are you afraid to admit at a UU church?
I first became aware of this issue when a close friend and committed Christian said to me, “Lee, I wanted it to work. I really tried. I wanted to be a part of Unitarian Universalism, but my faith is just not welcomed there. I couldn’t take the scoffs anymore when I’d talk about my faith nor the pot shots at my beliefs from others in service. It was just too much. I’ve decided to not go anymore, which is real shame because I don’t know where else to go.” (Tallahassee UU, October 22)
Mindful practice
Invited to mindfully chew a raisin—a food she detests—Jordinn Nelson Long learns lessons in patience and presence.
Take this thing that you recoil from the mere thought of, and engage with it. Don’t eat around it, or pretend it’s not there, or swallow it whole. Take it on. Do precisely that which makes you uncomfortable, and continue to do it until the feared object disintegrates. (Raising Faith, October 19)
Karen Johnston visits the New England Peace Pagoda, and circumambulates the stupa.
[When] I walked around the stupa, I calmed nearly immediately. It is a meditative act that requires my walking to slow. I make sure each step is a step of intention. I put one step on one cement tile and the next step on another cement tile. (Irrevspeckay, October 19)
The Rev. Alex Holt outlines the mindfulness practices that have helped him lose weight and become more fit.
It began with a friendly pat on the belly—mine, to be exact. . . . Whether that gentle pat was real or just my imagination makes no difference as the karmic law of cause and effect brought me through all the hundreds of miles walking, mindful eating, tracking calories with high tech software, and most of all the support of those who urged me on to this place of better health. (Living Life Well One Day at a Time, October 24)
In his marriage, the Rev. Sam Trumbore has discovered the courage to be wrong.
What has made the most difference . . . is cultivating courage. In the face of . . . disapproval and in the certainty or uncertainty of my own position, sensing the danger to the well-being of our relationship, I take a breath and strive to be present to what is happening. If I feel discouraged, shamed, or threatened, I strive to stay put and not attack or run away. . . . For me, courage requires examining the flood of chemicals being pumped out by the amygdala, honoring their primitive intention to protect my body from harm, and allowing them to calm down before acting. (Rev. Sam Trumbore, October 18)
Around the web
Despite her best intentions, the Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein sees her younger self in the story of a 24-year-old teacher allegedly murdered by a student.
I don’t like the narcissistic tendency to make tragic stories all about “Wow, that could have been me” or “What would I feel like if that was my kid?” or any other such projection. . . . In my opinion, the only appropriate response is to pray for the victims, to pray for the broader community affected, to reach out where possible to offer support or help. But this time, I indulged myself simply because the memories came back unbidden, fast and full of feeling. I pray for them all, such pain. Lord have mercy. (Facebook page, October 24)
Now that her children are almost grown, Tina Porter looks back at how her home has served her family’s needs.
[This] house has stood and kept us bound to each other with its four small, yet brightly-colored walls. And it has billowed and withered as needed. . . . I see now that it [is] a magical house, an accordion house, that looks small from the outside, but holds—and has held—so very much within. (Long Thoughts, October 20)
Kat Liu objects to the term “fitness privilege.”
When we talk of privilege we need to be moderate in our use of that word lest it come to mean nothing. There is a difference between the privilege that gives you access to the resources to help you succeed at whatever you set out to do, and “privilege” being thrown as a weapon against someone who has succeeded at something. (Reflections on the Jewel Net, October 23)
The Rev. Dan Harper has published a series of reports from UNCO13 West, “a gathering for people who are doing creative innovative things with religion and technology and churches reaching out to people under 40.” One aspect of this “unconference” that he most enjoyed was the welcome extended to children.
The service was not dumbed-down to kid level; there were no “moments for children,” no talking down to children during the sermon. Everyone accepted, with love, the autistic five year old who needed to run around (and occasionally be corralled by his parents) during the services. Yes, it could get a little chaotic, but between the love in the community, and the seriousness of purpose, it all worked out. I want to belong to a church that worships like this every week. (Yet Another Unitarian Universalist, October 24)
Advice for prospective seminarians
Jordinn Nelson Long and friends have collected words of wisdom for anyone hearing a call to ministry.
Gather all of the financial resources you have available; if you can liquidate some assets, even better. Place them in the center of a large circle. Light them on fire. Dance around it, singing “We are the flow, we are the ebb,” or other Pagan chant of your choice, while filling out form RSCC-6 detailing financial plans for your future ministry. (Raising Faith, October 22)