The Relevancy of Unitarian Universalism…

In case you doubt what I have been pointing towards for some years now–that Unitarian Universalism is not as relevant as it could, should, or imagines itself to be, here is some news that might convince you otherwise.

Somehow, given our movement and our values, it seems to add insult to injury that one of our great forbears, Thomas Starr King, was not only replaced, but was replaced by that paragon of me-first culture, the Gipper.

The question is…what do we need to do now and in the future to make ourselves culturally, spiritually, politically and nationally relevant once again?  Is it possible?

UU Minister Speaks Out in DC

One of our own, the Rev. Rob Hardies of All Souls UU Church in Washington D.C. is featured prominently in this article which examines the slow progress being made in African-American communities around gay rights and gay marriage.

I thought the article worth passing along.  One, it is an interesting intersection of racial and sexual politics–one that is significant, I think.  Two, it’s a wonderful example of a UU minister speaking out as a public witness for what we uphold as important.

Thanks, Rob.

Happy Birthday, Unitarian Universalism!

This arrived in my inbox today.  Perfect timing!  I was just arranging a class, to be held this summer.  We’ll do three parts:  Unitarian History, Universalist History, and UU History, post-merger.  It’ll be held the third Wednesdays of June, July and August, with a potluck at 6:30 and the class beginning at 7.  A grand way to celebrate!

Happy 48th birthday to the UUA!

On May 15th, 1961, the

Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations

came into being.

Today, we thank you for all your many gifts,

that have sustained the work of the UUA these 48 years

and invite you to share your stories of

Unitarian Unversalism with us.

Click here to share a story of how

Unitarian Universalism has

touched your life.

Gifts from Memphis!

As I prepare for the Southwest UU Conference Spring Meeting, during this weekend, I have also had a little time to venture out from my hotel room and greet Memphis.  It’s a city I’ve never been to, before.

Before I ever lived in a city, I always thought of them as abstract things.  Just sprawling gatherings of people and commerce, all piled up on each other.

But since I’ve had the opportunity to live an urban life, from within cities, I have come to know that they have their own character and energy, like any organism does.  So when I get an opportunity to visit a new city, I am always looking for something deeper than the tourist attractions, or the obvious high points.  I’m listening for a rhythm.

Tonight, I found some other travelers.  They were unexpected.  Darlene and Wes, both in their eighties, were my companions at a table at the rooftop party I decided to crash (since I could get in free, and the view was amazing).  While 20- and 30- somethings stood in line for drink tickets, and eyed each other, Darlene and Wes got up and danced swing variations to Pat Benetar and other 80’s standards.  When i asked them if they often attend parties like this back home, they replied, “Oh, yes!”  When I engaged them in conversation and asked how long they’d been married, I was put in my place when Darlene replied that they were traveling in order to celebrate their 25th anniversary of un-marriage.  They don’t live together, either.  All the things I had constructed in my head turned out to be false.

I had gone out from my hotel room hoping to meet some people I hadn’t known before, as a stranger in a new place.  What I found was a far greater gift—I was confronted with my own assumptions about “a certain age” and then I had them overturned.

I am deeply grateful for the reminder–Just ask the questions…and then listen.  Listen without judgment, without assumption, and *with* humility.  Gifts are waiting, everywhere.

Atheists in the Pulpit!?

Goodness, what will they think of next!?

Atheists in the pulpit are old news, here in Unitarian Universalism.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed this post by conservative Baptist leader Albert Mohler.  I found his indignation sort of funny…but there are also some really interesting theological points about the non-existence of God and what that may or may not imply.

What do you think?  Is atheism antithetical to being a good pastor?

(And by the way…the answer to his blog’s question is no…at least not the God he means.)

From the pastor, to my flock…

Indulgences

So that little thing that we call The Protestant Reformation?  You know the one.  Apparently, it didn’t stick.  Well, at least not all of it.  While Martin Luther may have convinced the people of his time that Papal Indulgences–getting an extra leg up on going to heaven by giving money to the Catholic Church–were silly and completely unethical, it appears that thinking is now outmoded.

Now, I certainly will not make the claim that a fair-share pledge to Northwoods will get you to heaven.  It would be in poor taste for me to promise that you’ll end up in a place that I don’t believe in.  But I can promise that it will get us that much closer to being The Church That We Know We’re Capable Of Being.  It’ll help us roll up our sleeves and get down to the business of building a more loving, peaceful, ethical, interconnected and just world.

And isn’t that what the kingdom of God is really about?

Eating Affordably

While Eating Ethically is a hot topic among Unitarian Universalists these days, eating affordably is the priority for many.

Once you’ve gotten past the basics (don’t eat out, cook at home, prepare things from scratch, cut down on meat consumption, eat seasonally), and you find that your grocery bill still could use some trimming, then check out this database of searchable recipes.  You can search by price-per-serving, among other factors.

In my mind, eating more simply, closer to the actual natural state of the food itself is ethical eating.  Good for the pocketbook, too.  How do you balance food budgets and wanting to put your values on your plate?

Another take on the commodification of spiritual life…

Perhaps it’s inevitable in this country, sick as it is with the consumer mentality, that we happily extend that to our spiritual lives, as well.  Too often, people equate church with a product…and then treat it like they do other products, expecting the most return for the least investment.

What would it be like if, instead, we allowed church to be the one place where we experimented with an anti-consumerism…with the free giving of our selves and resources…where we could really begin to learn what it might mean to live from a place of abundance, rather than scarcity?

I believe it’s possible.  It’s counter-cultural, but it’s definitely possible.  Money is pretty absurd, after all….

Another Clergy Exchange Program

So some of you might know, I’m participating in a clergy exchange program sponsored by the Anti Defamation League of Houston.  My exchange partner is Rev. Chris Lake, of Tree of Life Lutheran Church in Conroe.  (We ought, by the way, seriously consider participating in this program of the ADL.  Who wants to spearhead!?)

I caught this story on NPR…but what caught my eye the most was the initial comment.

What, the commenter asks, does Jesus have to do with Racism?

After I scooped my jaw up off the floor, I composed a relatively quiet response.  And then I wondered…what would all of you say in response?  You can leave comments on that site or this…but conversations about racism are conversations we really ought to be having.

Here’s a place to start.