Old roots, tender leaves
When an unaffiliated congregation with deep Universalist roots reaches out to potential UU guest preachers, seminarian Claire answers the call.
I see in that fledgeling congregation the very future of Unitarian Universalism.
Because while we who think we know what we are talking about sit in classrooms and conference rooms worrying about numerical growth—how to lure in the spiritual seekers and what to do with or for or about the elusive young adults—or bickering over whether we are a denomination or a movement, trying to figure out how to Save The . . . Whatever We Are—while we try to solve the unsolvable problem of how to do liberal religion in a complex ugly world in a top-down systematic way—in this tiny village there are ordinary people who are so deeply drawn to the kind of religious community that we say we want to be in the world that they are making it happen for themselves, where they are, with the resources they have.
This is a holy thing. (Sand Hill Diary, February 24)
Wild and precious life
At the end of a long week, Jordinn Nelson Long discovered the limits of her extroversion.
Temporary blindness is one of the less subtle wake up calls I’ve experienced, but today I felt I could see, and in more ways than one: there are many ways to burn the candle at both ends, and they all, ultimately, are unsustainable. In this vein, I have been thinking lots this afternoon about a quote from Rabbi Moses Sofer: No woman is required to build the world by destroying herself. (Raising Faith, February 25)
And if an ocular migraine weren’t enough, a few days later her four-year-old son staged a flying experiment, with the help of the cord from the wooden blinds in his bedroom.
What can we learn from being brought up short by what nearly was, laying out each “but for” as though it were a thing with teeth, a shade poised to lay claim to the breath of a now-sleeping child?
I don’t exactly know what to think, but I can tell you what I feel: sheer, incredulous relief. This day, the sheer boredom and minutiae of it, has been delivered back to me as I blink, confused, stumbling again into the too-bright daylight after escaping the brief horror show behind me. (Raising Faith, February 27)
Practicing our faith
Ricky Cintron invites us join him in praying with our whole being.
Lately I have been trying to pray more with my whole being. What I mean by that is that when something troubles me and I feel as if I can contribute some kind of positive action to the situation, I do. Praying with your thoughts and words is beautiful and good, but I have learned that I am often much capable of more than that. (Jñana-Dipena, February 25)
The Rev. Tamara Lebak grieves that her young daughter will one day face betrayal and pain.
Even my beautiful little girl, so innocent and sweet, will have to walk across the valley of the shadow of death. . . . I pray that she finds what she needs to make it to the other side feeling held and without bitterness or resentment. I pray that she can make it through the struggle of this world still able to see the beauty and able to feel the joy. (Under the Collar in Oklahoma, February 25)
As part of a series about Unitarian Universalist core beliefs, the Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford notes that believing in human goodness takes three minutes to learn, and a lifetime to master.
It’s hard. This is a culture that often urges us to question the motivations of every person. Sometimes that might be prudent, I admit, but I try to hold back. If the action seems deliberately hurtful, well yes, at that point, I need to look closer.
But often there is no need. So often, people exceed my expectations. And if they are so good, then perhaps I should be, too? (Boots and Blessings, February 24)
Pink triangles
The Rev. Dan Schatz suggests that the pink triangle is a symbol for our time.
I love the welcoming flag, and fly it proudly—but maybe we need to hold onto the pink triangle as well. Maybe we need a reminder of the cost of hatred, in real human lives and livelihoods. Maybe we need to remember that silence really does equal death, and the worst thing we can do is remain silent in the face of oppression. (The Song and the Sigh, February 25)
The Rev. Debra Haffner writes that “we are all gay Ugandans now.”
I can pray and I can write and I can tweet and Facebook. But others of you have the resources to do more, and I implore you to stand up NOW.
Because we can’t stand by and watch. (Sexuality and Religion, February 27)
The Rev. Lynn Ungar calls bullshit on the so-called “religious freedom bills” introduced by several state legislatures.
If you don’t think gay people should get married, then don’t marry a person of your gender. Who you bake a cake for is not part of your religious practice. Your religious beliefs apply to you, and if your God is going to judge you for standing by while other people live out their own religious lives, then your God needs to get a grip. (Quest for Meaning, February 26)
Fun, games, stories, and more
The Rev. Amy Zucker Morgenstern shares initial reflections about her new practice of holding office hours in local cafes. (Sermons in Stones, February 28)
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum offers tips from her experiences preaching from a tablet. (Rev. Cyn, February 22)
The Rev. Dan Harper posts part two of his retelling of the Demeter and Persephone story. (Yet Another Unitarian Universalist, February 25)
The Rev. Scott Wells begins a series about UU congregational websites, and offers an overview of Creative Commons licenses. (Boy in the Bands, February 22 and 26)
Three UU Reddit users stepped up to answer questions about Unitarian Universalism in an “ask me anything” session this week.
Barb Greve and Kristina Hensley have created a Lenten Photo Challenge, shared via the UU Media Collaborative. Join in the fun!
