Observing Lent
The Rev. Tony Lorenzen loves Ash Wednesday’s Universalist message of acceptance.
If there is anything that’s missing sometimes from the contemporary Unitarian Universalist worship tradition it is a ritual of forgiveness of, well, sins; the liturgical and prayerful recognition that I am a mess; that I am mess of anxieties and flaws and contradictions and a jumble of emotions that sometimes make it difficult for me to be my best self, and it’s OK to be such a mess. (Sunflower Chalice, March 5)
“Plaidshoes” needs a more cheerful Lent this year.
Like a lot of the country, we have had a long, cold, bleak winter. I feel like I have been in a dark space and adding 40 more days of somberness just isn’t appealing. . . . I need to find a way to make Lent a time of renewal and hope and break away from seeing it as purely deprivation. (Everyday Unitarian, March 5)
Sara Lewis explains how her Unitarian Universalist faith informs her Lenten practice.
UUism doesn’t have a tradition of intentional self-denial or a time to intentionally re-focus your life. Why we don’t probably makes perfect sense if you look at the evolution of our traditions (part of the whole point was that both Unitarians and Universalists held up the idea that people were good, as opposed to the Calvinist ideas that are decidedly more pessimistic about human nature), but understanding why this is so doesn’t change the fact that I feel drawn to some sort of fasting as a spiritual practice. (The Curriculum of Love, March 4)
The Rev. Scott McNeill has committed to the UU Practicing Lent photo project.
I love photography and am always frustrated that I take fewer pictures than I’d like. Sure, when I go to the zoo or gardens, I pick up my camera—but creating art feeds my soul in a way nothing else can.
So, I’ve decided to take up this spiritual practice for the next 47 days. At first, I felt resistant to speak up and say I’d try this. Usually, spiritual practices (or resolutions or anything of the sort) last about 6 days for me. (Second Unitarian Church of Omaha, March 5)
Another participant, Katy Carpman, has trouble capturing the image of “connection” she hoped to find at her veggie co-op.
I was excited to see that we were getting vine tomatoes—already connected? Meant to be.
But before I could take a picture, one of the other volunteers had separated all the tomatoes.
Lesson: When you don’t communicate your needs, there can be some real disconnects. (Remembering Attention, March 5)
To participate in the Practicing Lent project, visit the Tumblr created by Mr. Barb Greve, Kristina Hensley, and Karen Bellavance-Grace.
Winter’s lessons
Sarah MacLeod’s Michigan county has run out of funds for road-clearing, leaving two tire-sized ruts as the only safe path down her street.
Driving in these physical ruts led me to think about the metaphorical type, the kind that we say we want out of yet not badly enough to risk the leap; the one that may leave us skidding into the unknown or simply spinning our wheels in frustration. There can be an odd comfort in even our most painful ruts, perhaps because we know the jostling they bring, which can sometimes seem more comforting than whatever road might lay beyond those well-worn grooves. (Finding My Ground, March 2)
As winter lingers in Maine, Claire dreams of spring’s warmth and beauty.
Eventually the forsythia bush will awaken into an explosion of yellow flowers and the annual negotiation for my parking space will recommence. Eventually the tulips will unfurl and the rhododendrons will resume their efforts to engulf the front porch. Eventually the lilacs will bloom.
But not yet. (Sand Hill Diary, March 5)
The work of justice
The Rev. Scott Wells comments on General Assembly housing shortages caused by a last minute labor dispute with two contracted hotels.
I feel bad for the GA office, but the policy is correct. If you had to make a short list of people whose well-being could be improved by ethical spending, hotel workers would be high on the list and they deserve our support.
This puts financially strapped attendees in a bind: do you go to the rejected hotels and side with management? I hope the core labor issues can be resolved, but the least one can do is not cross the picket line early. (Boy in the Bands, March 3)
The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Landrum reports on a visit to the trial that may overturn Michigan’s constitutional amendment banning same-sex marriage; Harvard professor Dr. Nancy Cott was the day’s lone witness.
Professor Cott . . . deftly covered the history of marriage and explained that those who would uphold “traditional marriage” are aiming at a target that’s always been moving. She explained three main ways in which marriage has changed in the course of American history: asymmetrical (gender) roles, divorce, and race, and explained how each was relevant. . . . Overall, she nicely laid out that the arc of our nation’s history bends towards marriage equality. (RevCyn, February 28)
UU soul-searching
The Rev. Tom Schade responds to a colleague’s question about a contradiction in Schade’s previous posts.
Because I see Unitarian Universalism as born out of a trend toward Kenosis in Christianity, I am critical of our sectarianism: our constant self-promotion, the assertion that we ourselves are the answer to humanity’s woes. We should not be in the business of shouting to the world that we exist, and that there is a nearby UU congregation. . . .
[And yet, learning] how to communicate love, mercy and justice to those who are afraid that they are worthless, or who suspect that the social order counts them as worthless, is perhaps the most important religious quest of our times. (The Lively Tradition, March 5)
Desmond Ravenstone maintains that polyamorous and kinky people are ignored by the UUA.
I find it hard to recall a single instance of anyone in UUA leadership, and even more painfully the UUA’s multicultural staff, say or write the “K” or “P” words. I’ve heard lots of euphemisms and dancing around these terms, but somehow none of these people who keep telling me I can trust them can even bring themselves to call us what we call ourselves. (Ravenstone’s Reflections, March 4)
The Rev. Tandi Rogers celebrates the maturation of UU humor, as evidenced in the new satirical rag, The Beacon (pdf).
Usually I like my social commentary with names attached. However, I’ve found the inaugural edition to be open-spirited, spiritually mature, and nuanced. I suspect the writer(s) are missional leaders with institutionalist hearts. In other words, I am certain that the authors are prophetic court jesters who love our faith tradition very much. I want to hear what they have to say even if it makes me squirm a bit. (Growing Unitarian Universalism, March 3)
Interested in staying informed about this year’s General Assembly? Join the General Assembly 2014 event on Facebook, and to connect with attendees, get updates, ask questions, share ideas, post pictures, and experience GA—no matter where you are.