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A letter from our minister, the Rev. Liz Lerner |
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Well, things are continuing to brew with Rev. Wright, and I'm having to reconsider what I said on Easter. And just so you know, I stand by what I said. He may be causing problems for Senator Obama's campaign--unquestionably, he is doing that. And I just can't get on
board with his way, way, way out in left field subscribing to the theory that the government created and disseminated AIDS as a campaign against African Americans. No, I haven't read the books and I don't mean to. But I'm still okay with the rest of what he has said, including his continual pointing out of the way the media continues to question and critique him without listening to the whole of his sermons, even the particular ones under fire. Who doesn't have the time, or the respect, to check out the whole thing, when they're going to host him - as was shown earlier this week.
Politically, I wish he would stop saying what he's saying. But religiously, I’m largely okay with it. And the strong, sustained focus this is putting on the continued misunderstanding and different perspectives we have between colors and classes in this country is also okay with me. Far better to have it out in the open where we can deal with it than continue to hide it under shiny veneers of political correctness or the impenetrably thick hide of despair. It's an interesting topic for coffee hour or Inreach groups or one-on- one conversations with each other, especially now that we have committed ourselves to becoming a multi-racial, multi-cultural congregation. Such conversations have to happen carefully, compassionately, and respectfully--especially when different perspectives clash--but we can do that. We should do that. Let's take this frustrating and edgy set of developments for the chance it offers us to grow a little more. We can't get past it; we're going to have to get through it.
See you in church.
05-06-08 Uniter
Happy Spring! All around the church I see great events blossoming along with our trees and flowers. From the Missa Gaia at the end of last month to our Rootin’ Tootin’ Auction just last weekend, the calendar has been filled with inspiration and fun. I would like particularly to thank Marsha Joiner, Jimmie Schreiber, and all their ranch hands for another spectacular job on the auction – such fun and community from one night to all of the many events that come from it. Thanks to all of you.
Now to a very important reminder: we will have an important (and short!) congregational meeting in between the two services on Sunday May 18. The board is seeking approval of simple constitutional changes to shift the church’s fiscal and governance year to begin on July 1 and end on June 30. After research and much thought, we feel that this will make the leadership functions smoother, and give the stewardship campaign, which would shift to the spring, more organizational time. This change will bring us in line with most other UU congregations, as well as the district and denominational calendars. If approved, this change will take place on July 1, 2009. Why a special meeting now? The board, council and committees will need time to plan and execute a smooth transition, and we could not wait until the regular annual meeting in December. Why meet between services? We heard the discomfort in December that first service attendees had an awkward schedule if they had to wait for a meeting after lunch, and we felt that this very limited agenda could be handled in a short time. The meeting notice, with the proposed changes, is elsewhere in this Uniter, and will be available in advance at Sunday services and electronically. Please plan to attend.
One of the privileges of my position is to represent the church leadership, and nothing is more exciting than to do that at our Inquirer’s Luncheons, which are designed for visitors to introduce themselves to us, and us to them. Learning about the seeking that brought them to our door, and answering their questions about our wonderful community, is truly a joy. Please always take the time to speak to an unknown face at the next service or coffee hour – they are the next members, and maybe your next best friend.
Finally, I have to remember that for over 20 years I have known the wonderful presence of Lucile Rowe in this community. From her greetings to new members like me, to her design presence in the new building, to her leadership in good times and bad, we have all been blessed by her commitment to and love for our church. We will all miss her terribly.
05-06-08 Uniter
In her book The Gift of Faith, The Rev. Jeanne Nieuwejaar writes, “Whether we wish it so or not, our children are religious, spiritual beings. From within their own magical selves they know feelings, intuitions, and impulses. From the people, stories, songs, and media of their environs they hear religious words and messages and see religious symbols and images. From the experiences of their daily living they encounter religious events. They see dry sticks sprout pulsing green leaves. They see the deer killed on the highway. They watch their teacher’s tummy round with new life, and bid farewell to their uncle dying of AIDS. From the demands of their living and growing in the world they face situations that require from them a religious decision, response, or interpretation. We cannot choose whether they will be religious, but we can choose how and to what extent we will support, guide, and celebrate this dimension of their nature.”
The religious education program you have developed and continue to develop at UUCSS is a gift that we as adults give to ourselves and to our children in order to nurture and deepen our innate spirituality. All of us, regardless of age, come together in community to explore our deeper emotions, rejoice in the magic of the cosmos, delight in the comfort we receive from each other, and laugh and cry at the mysteries of life.
Together we will honor the programming you have in place and will look with enthusiasm as we explore the many ways to continue to provide rich and fulfilling worshipful experiences in the future. I hope that you will find a way to join in this most rewarding part of congregational life. You can teach, you can be on the RE Committee, you can help organize a supply closet, you can smile at a child on both cloudy and sunny days. You can drive a group of middle school youth to a social action commitment. Are there definite guarantees that our children will enjoy everything we do here at UUCSS? I don’t know the answer, but as Jeanne says, “We cannot choose whether they will be religious, but we can choose how and to what extent we will support, guide, and celebrate this dimension of their nature.”
Come join me on this journey.
10-02-07 Uniter
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