Hot buttons
UU World‘s news coverage of the UUA Board of Trustees meeting in San Diego sparked a social media hubbub; UUA staff quoted in the article seemed to be inviting a shift in identity from “an association of congregations” to “a religious movement focused on cultural transformation.” (UU World, February 3)
Much of the blogging conversation took place in comments on the Rev. Tom Schade’s blog, beginning with his post about the role of congregations in cultural transformation.
Transformative cultural energy will not arise easily out of our present congregations, most of which are consumed in the work of institutional maintenance. . . .
This is where UUA Staff, the leadership of larger successful congregations, young adults, and extra-congregational UU activists can be taking the lead, helping people connect to the energy out there. (The Lively Tradition, February 4)
The Rev. Scott Wells writes, “I’ll believe the tales of new, grand design once you can show me you are able to fix the foundation.”
Institution building is hard, often unglamourous work. It’s what we need the UUA for, if anything, but if the leadership decides to follow its own bliss and upend the power relationship of the UUA, the member congregations have a moral right to ignore, substitute and defund it. (Boy in the Bands, February 5)
Much of the online conversation took place on Facebook, most of which is unavailable if you have not joined the site. However, UU World editor Christopher L. Walton’s post about the news story is public and gives a taste of the conversation.
Apocalypse never
The Rev. Dr. David Breeden explores the attraction of apocalyptic thinking.
Why is apocalypse so interesting to so many?
Because long-term solutions are not interesting.
Long-term solutions are difficult. And boring. And require committees and task forces and lots and lots of charts and graphs and talking, talking, talking. (Quest for Meaning, February 6)
The Rev. Meredith Garmon suggests “the Ecospiritual Challenge” as a third way to respond to climate change: “not denying the reality we face, and nor retreating into everyone-for-herself survivalism.”
It is the path of open-eyed and open-eared awareness, and also the path of connection to both nature and neighbor—not afraid to face reality, not avoiding needed knowledge because it’s “depressing” and you’d rather not think about it. And at the same time not bunkering protectively. (The Liberal Pulpit, January 30)
Saints and sinners
The Rev. Gary Kowalski reacts to a recent ranking of U.S. states from most to least religious.
Here are some interesting facts about the “most religious” state. Close behind Louisiana, which is number one, Mississippi boasts the second highest murder rate in the United States. Vermont, the “least religious” state, is number forty-nine in homicides per 100,000 population. Only nearby New Hampshire has fewer murders. If Gallup is right, religion can be dangerous to your health. (Revolutionary Spirits, February 5)
The Rev. Theresa Novak longs for the day when we no longer sort ourselves into sinners and saints.
Pray for the saints
Pray for the sinners
Pray for the day that will come
When we’ll all live our lives
In the best way we can
We won’t cast aspersions
On ourselves or each other (Sermons, Poetry, and Other Musings, February 6)
A visit to Third Unitarian in Chicago leads Claire to think about UU saints.
Who are our saints? I was at Third Unitarian of Chicago last Sunday, whose building houses a series of tile murals depicting a selection of “saints”—or “wise people that we admire” as their literature puts it. Love the art; it is very fitting for this intensely humanist (and wonderfully friendly) congregation. At the same time I wonder what it means to name them saints who are no less human than those of us walking the simple ground today. (The Sand Hill Diary, January 31)
A transformative faith
For Thomas Earthman, Unitarian Universalism has been a truly transformative faith.
My faith has transformed me to be a better person. I firmly believe that. It has made me more accepting. It has made me more patient. It has helped me learn to let go of my frustrations, and to see that all of us humans are just trying to get by, trying to cope with our own desire to be vital in a universe where we are so small. I make my vitality by trying to live up to my faith. (A Material Sojourn, February 2)
The Rev. Sarah Stewart wishes more of her fellow Unitarian Universalists recognized how high the stakes are.
People join congregations because they are trying to orient their lives toward the good and the just. And then, at least in Unitarian Universalism, they also want to debate what the good and the just are, and have a say in determining what action will get them there, often without having to put much of anything on the line. . . .
[It] wouldn’t hurt us, from time to time, to imagine we are charting those paths in the face of existential threat, as though our lives and our salvation depended on making the right choices. (Stereoscope, February 6)
Another plane
The Rev. James Ford reflects on “the god that is love.”
Today, by most conventions I’m an atheist. That is I do not believe in a human-like consciousness that directs things. . . .
And…within my experience there is something. The best word I can call it is love. I suspect I know the grubby roots of that love, how it arises within my mammalian consciousness. But, it seems to have a larger existence, as well. (Monkey Mind, February 5)
The Rev. Tamara Lebak reads Be Love Now, by Ram Das, on an airplane to Houston.
There are things one can do to prepare to meet the kind of Love that is pervasive in the world and ever-present. Ram Das likens it to the way in which lovers prepare for a first date: pay special attention—be clean and presentable to The Beloved, shower, shave, powder, and perfume. Putting on my collar sometimes feels like preparing myself for a date with The Beloved, reminding me to meet God in the presence of others. (Under the Collar, February 5)
The Rev. Dr. Carl Gregg finishes a three-part review of Anne Lamott’s book about prayer, Help, Thanks, Wow.
In the past few years, another of my most common spiritual practices has been taking photographs with my iPhone using the Instagram app of those moments in life when I come across sights that leave me transfixed in radical amazement. I’ve found that rather than distracting me, photography when done slowly and with intention brings me even more deeply into the present moment, often causing me to notice details, angles, and beauty I likely otherwise would have missed. (Pluralism, Pragmatism, Progressivism, January 31)