Reverend Christine’s Commentary
August 2008
Over these past few weeks it finally seems like Summer is here. After months of “mostly/partly/with occasional sun breaks/showers” kind of days, experiencing days of warmth and sunlight is something worth pausing to notice and relish.
Taking time to pause and get in touch with Nature’s cycles, and our own place in the Great Web of Existence, is something easily neglected in the rush of everyday activities. As we savor these delightful Summer days, with the abundance of Nature so apparent, perhaps we will be reminded of all that Life has gifted us with.
High on my list of things I feel blessed to have in my life is our faith community. Together we nurture a safe haven, where we are each encouraged to engage in life-long spiritual and intellectual development. This coming church year there will be fresh opportunities for folks of all ages in our Religious Exploration Classes. Our Covenant Groups are thriving and will be offering both continuing and new themed groups. Over the coming church year our congregation will take part in a renewal of our Long Range Plan. This process will invite everyone to share their dreams, hopes, and vision for our church. The resulting Long Range Plan document will then serve as our guide for the next several years in many ways. It is my hope that our faith community’s participation will be energetic, innovative, and at all times demonstrative of the type of gentle fellowship that we affirm here.
As I look forward into August I am also keenly aware of the rich heritage bequeathed to us by our Unitarian and Universalist forefathers and mothers with August connections. Being knowledgeable concerning our UU heritage enriches our understanding of our liberal faith. By becoming more informed about our UU ancestors, we and our children gain a deeper sense that our church here is rooted in a religious tradition that has long honored the use of intellect in matters of faith while simultaneously embracing spiritual exploration. We are not “a cult,” nor are we some “new-age”/ “ new-fangled” sect. Knowing some specifics about our heritage and our founders confirms our true foundations.
For instance, did you know that Unitarian Dr. Joseph Priestly discovered oxygen in August of 1774 … or that on August 10, 1551 Michael Servetus published his insightful text “On The Errors of The Trinity,” which led later to his being burned at the stake … or that on August 24, 1810 Theodore Parker was born and later inspired liberal Christians to a more thoughtful comprehension of what is of permanent and ultimate worth in religion, and what is merely transient?
For me, knowing more about our UU ancestors deepens my sense of gratitude for being part of carrying forward our faith here, in our church, in Washington County. It deepens my awareness that we have so very much to be proud of when we look back to our UU roots and also reminds me that so very much potential is now entrusted to us, here, in our day. In a world growing more diverse daily, ours is a religious community where our heritage has long found diversity as cause for celebration. Our message is one our wider community yearns to hear. This is now our Shared Ministry.
Please remember to mark September 7th on your calendar as Homecoming Sunday. On September 7th we will return to two Worship Services and will celebrate Waters of the World together. This special Unitarian Universalist rite is one that urges us to share with our congregation how the waters we have visited/experienced over this past year have moved us spiritually. Not a time for “travelogues,” but rather an opportunity to convey what touched us when we encountered the water we bring. Whether our water comes from our own backyard pond or a distant land is of far less significance than discerning our connection with this source of Life.
As we embrace these delightful Summer days may we find time … now and then … to pause, to number our blessings, and acknowledge the gift of our faith and fellowship.
In Warm Fellowship,
Reverend Christine
Updated July 31, 2008