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Do you believe the academic consensus (as is represented by mainline seminaries and popularising works which lean slightly secular such as the New Oxford Annotated Bible or the countless non-confessional editions of study bibles) is accurate? Do you believe Jesus was a historical figure or are you mythicists? Do you believe the Jesus Semimar is overly conservative, as Thomas L. Thompson suggests?
I am asking these questions for three reasons: 1- you guys are the most educated religious group, by a long stretch. 2- you also form the bulwark of theological liberalism, at least to the mind of most of the American Christian sphere. 3- you are also the most diverse group, at least from a theological standpoint. One can be an Arian, a Gnostic, a Pagan, a Mithraist or a Secular Humanist and still be in communion with the UUA.
This question has been lingering at the back of my head for quite some time now. Almost all religions (not all), either the Abrahamic religions or Eastern religions condemn this type of behavior to some degree. What is the UU's stance on consuming alcohol and drugs like marijuana? Also, what about premarital sex? I've always been curious because I've heard UU is a progressive organization, but its also a culmination of many religions, and many religions more of less condemn this type of behavior.
Get ready for a fantastic shopping adventure! Join us Friday, November 17, from 9:00 – 3:00 as we offer you a treasure trove of amazing deals and hidden gems in the UUUF Yard Sale. Whether you’re a seasoned bargain hunter or just looking for something special, our yard sale will have something for everyone. CONTACT Kelly at [pr@unversityuus.org](mailto:pr@unversityuus.org) for more questions. We are located 1 mile East of UCF #ucf
John Adams is probably the most Unitarian in American History. Yet annoying my attempt to find out which kind he was have proven fruitless.
There are I know at least three different Positions on Jesus that exists among those who self identify as Unitarians.
I'm curious because when I engage in discussions about the Religious Beliefs of the Founding Father I want to be precise and nuanced and not make the sweeping Generalizations people on both sides tend to make.
And I feel those who want to also label Adams a Deist only have any case if he was the third option. Each of the first two involve a post Creation Divine intervention.
(I posted this a week ago and Reddit removed it as possible spam. Kudos to any spammer who would write such a detailed, topic-specific message. I'm posting it again in hopes that it will survive.)
Our congregation, UUFRC, (UU Fellowship of Redwood City) restructured our Religion Education program and Sunday Services to deepen connections among generations and congregants as well as integrate newcomers more quickly.
We're now in our second year of the new structure. Here's the intro to a description of what we did and why:
“This is the most energy I have felt at church in a long time. And I don’t just mean since the pandemic, I mean in a really long time!” That’s what Cyndi said during coffee hour. The room bustled with people intent in conversation after our second “Action Sunday” workshop.
Here's the full write-up: https://pcduua.org/news/uufrcs-action-sundays-deepen-connections/
Personally, as a 60+ year UU, I've felt we need to find new ways to meet people's needs and spread our values as a church and a denomination. This new structure shows promise.
"In Transition"
Sunday, November 19, 10:50 am, 2023
This week, the end of Trans Awareness week, we will hear voices of trans folx and be together in their stories and wisdom -- from people we know and love to writers from the United States to the hijra community in India.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Santana McBride, Worship Associate; Lucy Smith, Board of Trustees; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF/India Tour Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist
Asani Seawell, Chat Moderator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
LIVESTREAM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFYQJkQLwOs
OOS:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ulRhPa815BpqmL18j1NMN2PvUDpvKrSM/view?usp=sharing
PLAYLIST:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGWIRF9PinfxRgne1q7GBrjOLcoTsbzGs
I've been living in Antananarivo, Madagascar for more than 9 years now. There is no UU church or fellowship here that I've been able to discover. Is there any way to connect with individual UUs abroad? A Discord server? A directory?
I'd be up for just a coffee meetup once a month – in English or French.
https://www.uusc.org/resources/congregations/gayt/
UUSC's longest-established fundraising and educational program for congregations.
The alarming rise of fascism, authoritarianism, and nationalism in the United States and in many places around the world is putting the lives of people, and the sustainability of the planet, in critical danger. These far-right forces have co-opted the word “freedom” for their own purposes, but the concepts of liberation and freedom mean something very tangible to UUSC’s grassroots partners in communities the world over. Whether they are fighting for the right to seek safety in Mexico and the United States, convincing the UN’s International Court of Justice to address the human rights threatened by the climate crisis in the South Pacific, or replenishing the energy of human rights activists in eastern Europe by addressing burn-out, UUSC partners invite us into an expansive, regenerative space to pursue liberation.
At UUSC, we believe that the transformational solutions we need come from communities most directly impacted by injustice. Join us for this year’s Guest at Your Table program to learn what UUSC partners are doing to address immediate injustices – as well as the collective liberation they envision for the future. At this extraordinary juncture in history, we think their stories will offer inspiration and guidance on the path toward justice and liberation for all.
Making a Gift to Guest at Your Table
Donations to Guest at Your Table help advance community-led human rights initiatives around the world. Donations of $150 or more are eligible to be matched by the UU Congregation at Shelter Rock in Manhasset, NY.
To donate online, please use this secure donation page, which can also be accessed via the shortcut uusc.org/givetoguest. To donate by mail, please make checks out to “UUSC” with “Guest” or “GAYT” in the memo field, and send to: UUSC • PO Box 808 • Newark, NJ 07101-0808.
Contact Information
If you would like to place a materials order, if you would like a personalized donation page for your congregation, or if we can be helpful with anything else related to Guest at Your Table, please contact Julian Sharp at jsharp @ uusc.org. Please allow 10 days from the time of your order for print materials to arrive.
Guest at Your Table (GAYT) is UUSC’s annual intergenerational program to raise support for and awareness about key human rights issues. Since UUSC works in more than 20 countries, with over 50 grassroots partners, there are thousands of individuals involved in and who benefit from the work that our members make possible. The program is an opportunity to celebrate grassroots partnership, support human rights, and learn about just four of these individuals—the “guests” in Guest at Your Table.
By coordinating a Guest at Your Table celebration for your congregation, you help participants of all ages nurture lasting connections with UU principles, build awareness about social justice and human rights, and strengthen UUSC’s work. Thank you for joining us in this special tradition!
To register as your congregation’s Guest at Your Table coordinator, or to request materials or information, please contact Julian Sharp, Senior Associate for Congregational Support, at jsharp @ uusc.org.
A step-by-step guide for planning your congregation’s Guest at Your Table Program is available here.
2022-2023 Theme: Hope. Courage. Action.
Through UUSC’s Guest at Your Table program, congregations provide vital support to those who need it most, including communities impacted by forced migration, climate disasters, and other human-made crises. UUSC’s global partnerships center the voices of those who are most affected by these issues and who best understand how to solve them. Join UUSC for Guest at your Table to learn more about our amazing global partners who embody the hope, the courage, and the action needed to uphold human dignity for all and honor our connections with each other and the earth.
The injustices and crises of the past year have underscored the importance of our shared goal – a world free from oppression, where all can realize their full human rights. They also have emphasized just how big a task that is.
To meet the enormous challenges of today and build a more just future, we need big ideas and bold change. We must fundamentally transform the way things are, so that we do not perpetuate systemic inequities and repeat the harms of the past.
At UUSC, we believe that the transformational solutions we need come from communities most directly impacted by injustice. Join us for this year’s Guest at Your Table program to learn what UUSC partners are doing to address immediate injustices – as well as what they envision for the future. At this extraordinary juncture in history, we think their stories will offer inspiration and guidance on the path toward justice.
This past year, we highlighted the ways the pandemic has changed the relationship many of us have with home, as well as the importance of home to our UUSC partners, who are fighting for their homes amid violence, economic devastation, and climate change.
I have invited /u/Cult_Buster2005 to become a moderator of this subreddit. They've been an active member under a previous account name (they can provide details if they like, but I won't do so out of respect for their privacy) and are generally more active than I am, so they'll usually be able to respond more quickly to mod issues than the rest of the mod team.
Hey y'all!
I attend a lot of virtual stuff but want to find some in person service and community.
I'm in the Inland Empire but it looks like both UU chapters in the area are no longer around.
Does anyone have a church or study group they attend and recommend?
Bonus points if it's a younger crowd but not a requirement.
Anyone else reading Ruttenburg’s “On Repentence and Repair” with their congregations or on their own?
I just started a few minutes ago and can already tell I‘m going to be interested in what others think.
"The Enfleshed Life: What Life and Love of a Body Entails"
Sunday, November 5, 10:50 am, 2023
One of the biggest injuries that Christianity is part of in our journey to human wholeness is seeing the body as sacred—not in the sense of something pristine that could be defiled or whose urges were dangerous, but as something to be honored and trusted. We can blame St. Augustine for some of it. We can blame a world bent on extraction and marketing to us from piling on. However, the wholeness we seek to find in nurturing one another asks for a life that relishes and cherishes enfleshed life. Let’s talk about that!
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Carmen Barsody, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Board of Trustees; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director
Shulee Ong, Camera; Jackson Munn, Camera; Gregory Stevens, Chat Moderator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Judy Payne, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
First I want to be clear and say I know who the Gadflys are and I don't agree with them. However, I do have a question. Why don't they just make their own separate denomination of UUism and spread that? I know in the Gadfly Papers there is an argument about splitting the denomination or dissolving it, in which I do not agree, but how come they don't officially separate and create a new Denomination outside the UUA? At that point they could dictate how they want their form of UUism to run and make changes to their version of the covenant if they so wish, without having to try to manage to (in the only words I can think of at the moment) "take over" the Association from the inside?
Also I guess a secondary thing to add upon this would be, do you think if the covenant changes next year, that they would split anyways due the fact they are generally against the 8th Principal (as far as I know of) and they more then likely would not like the new 3rd Value of Justice due to it incorporating parts of the 8th principal within it?
Hello everyone! I'm not UU, I'm more of a humanist, and I've gone to probably a dozen Sunday services of the UU church near me over the past year. I've volunteered my time to help out with projects on a handful of occasions. And I've attended some luncheons. I keep hoping that the sunday service will improve once I know more people and can feel more comfortable.
I really like the few people I've gotten to know, but to be honest, I do not like going to the services on Sunday. There are references to belief in God and faith (which I don't believe), touchy feely stuff, hymns being sung, etc. It feels like a bad fit for me in that sense.
This Sunday, one of the songs was all about faith in God being the answer and I just closed my hymnal and stood there politely, even though the choir leader was trying to get everybody to participate. I'm not going to participate when I don't believe.
And the coffee hour afterward feels awkward to me because while some folks have talked with me, it feels mostly like small talk. People there gravitate toward the people they already know well and are friends with and I feel left out. Yesterday after the touchy feely service, I just left and didn't go to coffee because I just felt so mismatched with the service. (Small group situations have been much better.)
I'm curious how many folks regularly skip attendance on Sundays and just do other offered activities that have more depth and actual participation and sharing?
Or could you share things your UU does to welcome visitors in a way that makes them comfortable and feel included?
I get the sense that this community genuinely wants to be welcoming, but just misses the mark and that's why they are not getting new and/or younger people attending again after a first visit.
One of the things I keep hearing about when it comes to comparing UUism to other religions or especially Christian denominations, most people compare it to The United Church of Christ, by saying they're like UUs disguised as Christians or that UCC Christians are basically Christian Unitarians.
Because of that, and especially with the UCC is recognized for being very liberal compared to other denominations, is the UCC that similar but with a more Christian twist or are there more differences than similarities?
Can someone explain exactly WHAT Unitarian Universalism is?
Thank you!
A member of our Fellowship reflected on why it is important for all children to see themselves represented in childrens literature. She's a librarian and educator who has thought about this topic for many years.
She reads a commonly-banned book at the beginning of the video (until January, when our permission to include that reading expires). Set aside 15 minutes and watch the video. Here's the link: https://youtu.be/A8IjBv3RnDo
Can someone help me understand why an atheist would want to lead a congregation? My current experience is an atheist uu minister that is very clearly anti christian. How can you be UU and anti Christian? How can you lead a congregation of people who believe in many different things but you actually look down on certain beliefs? I’m not a Christian, but I am UU and my understanding is that we’re open to all.
Found UU 4 years ago. It had been a healing journey and going well. We got a new minister 2 years ago and it’s entirely changed my view. Our church wasn’t big into UUA and for the first time in years I felt like this was a church I could actually be part of. New minister is head over heels for the UUA and now it feels like we’re getting UUA shoved down our throats every week. It’s completely turned me off. I don’t go very often. Feels like I’m back in a Christian church being told what I have to believe.
![]() | submitted by /u/MoonEagle3 [link] [comments] |
Hi, I'm interested on learning more about UU and was looking for some books to read. The problem is I have very poor eyes sight so I rely on the accessibility features of ebook readers to get by. I can't seem to find many UU books to purchase in a digital format. Is there something I'm missing or are UU books in digital format not really a thing?
What purpose does religion serve now? What purpose can it serve? With membership declining and ministerial shortages in every denomination, what will the future of religion and Unitarian Universalism be? What could it be? We’ll explore these questions, and how we might learn from our past, those around us, and the moment we’re in to consider a course for the future of religion. Rev. Kron is the Transitions Director of the Unitarian Universalist Association.
Hi there. I'm a progressive Baptist minister who just landed a great staff job at a large UU congregation. I'd like to explore UU better to understand and serve the congregation.
I'd appreciate any books you'd suggest about being Christian and UU, as well as books about the modern history of UU. I already have a basic understanding of UU culture and history from online sources and previous experience, so I'm looking for something a little more academic and in-depth.
To be clear, I'm already LGBTQ+ affirming, universalist, pluralist, etc. I'm quite comfortable with my Baptist heritage. I don't need to be convinced *out* of being Baptist, just guided *into* UU.
"Connecting Across Borders and Divides"
Sunday, October 29, 10:50 am, 2023
This is the time of year of the Pagan celebration of Samhain, and the Christian (no doubt borrowed and adapted!) witness to All Souls and All Saints, and to the celebrations of Día De Los Muertos in Mexico and across Latin America. All of these community and religious ceremonies and sacred times begin with the Samhain idea that at this time of year, the veil between the living and the dead is thinned. It is a season, therefore, for reaching across that veil and pulling those we have loved and lost—their spirit and their legacy—more intentionally into our world for a while.
In the spirit of this time and sacred season, you are invited to bring a copy of a photo or a memento of someone you have lost that we can put on the altar during worship. Be prepared to share their name. You are also invited to bring their favorite food to the worship. The foods that you bring will be shared during social hour.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Asscociate; Carlowe Connelly, The Pagan Interest Circle; Megan Lehmer, Board of Trustees; UUSF Bell Choir led by Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Akane Ota, Soloist; Wm García Ganz, Pianist
Shulee Ong, Jackson Munn, Livestream Team; Asani Seawell, Chat Support; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
Has anyone here ever been on a pastoral search connitteee for a UU congregation?
If so, what was the experience like? Did you find it rewarding or frustrating? or both? How time-consuming was it? What did you have to do? I am imagining that you would have to somehow figure out what the congregation wanted in a minister, then cast a more or less wide net for a candidate, then evaluate the candidates? Right?
I‘m trying to figure out if I should volunteer/try to get myself nominated for a search committee that my congregation is putting together,
Another issue: We had been a lay-led congregation for our entire history until we stuck our toes in the water a few years ago with a part-time interim minister who is now leaving. I am not sure if this is an anomaly or not, but we never had a vote about whether or not we wanted a minister in general before hiring our first minister, partly because sentiment was split on the issue and partly because those who really wanted to hire a minister, saw a perfect opportunity (someone local that they liked and would be willing to take a part-time position) and wanted to take action before that opportunity went away, So, instead of having a vote on whether or not we wanted a minister in general, we just had a vote on whether or not we would hire that one person in particular for a short period of time as sort of a trial run.
Well, now that this contract minister is leaving, instead of having a vote about the “experiement” and whether or not we want to continue to have a minister, they just decided to go ahead with another search.
I have pointed this out and was told that we will indeed have a vote soon (at our next quarterly meeting), but it is clear that they are still going ahead with forming the search commiteee in the meantime.
So, I am feeling a bit befuddled by and apprehensive of the process so far.
"Lessons for Future Ancestors"
Sunday, October 22, 10:50 am, 2023
"Let us measure success by how many of us can say: I am living a life I don’t regret. A life that will resonate with my ancestors" -adrienne maree brown
Matt is a musician and worship leader who has led hundreds of services for UU congregations across the country. He has a degree in hand drumming and serves as Director of Community Life for Sanctuary Boston.
https://www.rhythmrevelations.com/
Matt Meyer, Guest Preacher; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Diane Allen, Board of Trustees; Mark Sumner, Music Director; Elliott Etzkorn, Pianist
Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
Hello!
Thank you for having me.
I'm an atheist in Southern UT that is going to try out the UU here in St George, UT. I'm interested in seeking a sense of community and joining social circles outside of just kids school, our neighborhood etc in a place that is welcoming to an atheist.
What should I expect? Will I be welcomed as an Atheist?
Also, I dont know how to ask this without coming across as ageist or something, but can I expect millennials like myself? I dont mind what age anyone is, but would like it if there are other families or possibly other millenials.
Because we’re human, we hurt each other, we get hurt, and there’s a way through that, but that way through depends on the ability to deliver and accept a powerfully meaningful apology. Healing and repair of broken relationships doesn’t happen on its own. This sermon podcast begins with a reflection written by Sara Ford and read by Peggy Lin.
Oh boy, I don't even know where to start. My grandma raised me since I was little because my parents were out of the picture due to drug abuse and my father died when I was 1. Anyway, I loved her more than anything. She was my mentor, mother, friend, everything. My grandma was always single when she had me so it was just me and her for 35 years. I continued to stay at home after high school and worked and lived with my grandma. She was the best. She took me fishing for the first time and taught me how to throw a curve ball. We was poor but I didn’t know it. She always found a way to take me to Pizza Hut after those ballgames. She never missed one btw. Even if she had to take an oxygen tank. She loved those cigarettes lol. I swear sometimes I can still smell them here and she’s been gone a while. We lived in the southern United States so she was a great cook and we know food here trust me. I am hungry right now and I have no way of getting any food I’d do anything for her to cook me one more meal.
Well, about a couple years ago my grandma went for a regular checkup and it came back breast cancer. She had her right breast and then a few months later her left breast removed. She did fine for a while but the cancer ended up coming back more aggressive than ever and she died two months ago. I didn't work because I took care of her for the past year and half and I lived in her apartment. She did have just enough burial insurance to bury her but thats it. I also have a severe disability and am applying for disability right now, I have been turned down but I am appealing.
Anyways, since I lived off her income as she did as her caretaker since it was just us and since I am just a grandson I have no income anymore.I do not have a car and live in the middle of nowhere. I have applied to wfh jobs but my internet just got shut off and my electric gets shut off at the end of the month and I will also be evicted unless I can pay the bills. I also have no food and am honestly hungry. I have been so cripplingly depressed since she died I cannot get out of bed some days and I don't have a car and the nearest jobs are 10 miles away. I have horrible legs and they are so bad I have tried to work but it feels like someone set my legs on fire. I have went to the doctor and applied for disability and food stamps but like I said it taked forever and I have no speakable family to ask for a ride. I know people have it worse than me and some people will tell me to suck it up, but I have been hit with everything at once and I miss my grandma.
If anyone can help, I will list my cashapp Pp and venmo below. I know this looks awful, but I don't care. I know I am not lying and I miss my grandma more than anything. Even if you can't give anything please send good vibes, but any little bit helps, like I said I am down to no food at all and everyhing is due.
You know, I think there is a special place in heaven for people who raise children who know one else wants. She saved me from foster care and I will be forever grateful for that.
Cashapp $winterstorm55 Venmo @winterstorm55 PayPal @winterstorm55
So this was something that passed through my mind when I was thinking about the nature of the divine, the concept of a supreme being, and what it would mean to be The One.
So I'll pose this in the classic philosophical thought statement. If we suppose God to be omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient then it would mean that God is everything everywhere. Every action and event in existence is, in the literal sense, caused by God. This would then mean that the realm of infinite possibilities and actions is open only to God as a being without limits. God has done everything, is doing everything and will do everything. However, this presents a paradox (as so often happens in questions about God).
What defines our freedom as limited beings is the fact that there are only so many things we can do and we have to forgo options to choose other options. In essence, having a choice is necessary for freedom to exist. However, by God's own nature, God will do all of the choices. God cannot, in fact, abstain from any choices as God is everyone making all possible choices. So, here's the question that currently has my brain acting like a cat batting around a ball of yarn. Isn't having no limits itself a kind of limitation and makes any action you take meaningless because you have access to all of the actions?
![]() | I was just thinking about all the hatred us UUs face for how liberal and tolerant we are, including our acceptance of the LGBTQ community, and I often think that we're seen in the eyes of hateful people as outcasts so, I wanna dedicate this beloved song from The Hunchback of Notre-Dame to you guys. [link] [comments] |
I'm on a spiritual journey and have been told that thos place is accepting of wherever your at in your spiritual journey
Reparations for systemic racism and attempted genocide is now part of our national conversation, yet confession, without making attempts to redress harm, is nothing more than virtue signaling. We’ll explore the complex question of reparations through the lens of those most harmed, with a particular focus on indigenous justice.
The second Sunday in October is typically an opportunity for you to reflect on your financial support of the church in the year ahead. This year, our Executive Team will confess some hard and hopeful truths about the current state and future of the church as we prepare to enter our 2024 fiscal year. This podcast from Stewardship Sunday begins with a reflection by worship associate Betsy Hearn.
Hello, I am asking for prayers for my life. It is a mess. I am down to my last loaf of bread I had frozen, disconnect notice on electric and water and just to my end. I am in my 20's and feel like I am going nowhere. I have no job, car or family. I lost the only family I had about a year ago and I have tried to work but I cannot due to crippling anxiety and I have horrible type 2 diabetes and get infections a lot. I have no family I can borrow off of and my credit is trash, so I can't borrow money. I have cashapp if anyone can help. My cashapp name is $captainmidnight515, if anyone could help I would greatly pay you back when I get on my feet, if not please send me good vibes as I have never felt this low in my life. I literally have no food, rent is 2 months behind, getting evicted at the end of the month, health is hot, no family, sometimes I just feel like I should not be here. I am gay also and my speakable family disowned me for that. I have been to several churches to no avail. I was able to apply for disability but was told it could take months to years upon years to get it. I just need help right now, my stomach is hurting from hunger, and I need some help. I also have paypal. My paypal is rcb5167. I am ebarrased to do this but I have nowhere else to turn. I have tried to get help from churches and other organizations, but to no surprise I was turned away and told they didnt have anything. But I know there are people who have it worse than me, but I am scared I cannot make it. I dont have a car or anything and live in a rural area. I am so scared. Please, even if you cant send me money please send me good vibes and thoughts. I know this looks very suspicious, and I do not blame you for thinking that, but I swear I am not lying and am at the end of my rope, I really think I can't go on. Sorry, I hope I didn't make you depressed by reading this. I miss my family, but i am still weirdly mad at them? Is this normal? I have applied for medicaid and am going to try and get mental help when it gets approved it just takes forever. I would just like to ask everyone again, to send good vibes, I really feel like I cant go on and if you can send anything please do anything will help. This is very embarrasing to do, but I have no other options. On top of all this I’m just starting to transition to the woman I’ve always been so that isn’t helping either. This is the worst feeling in my life and I don’t know if it will get better is that the scary part is.
So hey there is it possible for being both as some people called me out that you can't worship Christ being a Hindu but Hinduism allows it
My church has just put out a document in which we read that “chalice lighters” (the children who light candle in the chalice at the beginning of each service) “are expected to state their pronouns.”
To my ears, “expected” sounds coercive. (A little like there might be a nun waiting in the wings to slap them with a ruler if they don’t state their pronouns). I would rather the document read “chalice lighters are encouraged (or strongly encouraged) to state their pronouns.”
What do you all think?
Hi everyone!
I'm a 32-year-old American woman from the South. My early years were spent attending a small Methodist church in my hometown. However, due to personal reasons linked to an experience there, I distanced myself from it. Since my mid-teens, I've identified with Secular Humanism. I also identify strongly with liberalism.
I've always been intrigued by different cultures and religious beliefs, though I personally don't subscribe to supernatural notions. A few years back, I attended some UU meetings in my previous city, but I haven't explored it again since relocating.
I'm keen to hear from fellow atheists about their experiences with the UU community. I'm genuinely looking for a group of like-minded individuals, though I admit the term "church" still brings some unease.
Your insights would be greatly appreciated!
"By Stander, Standing By"
Sunday, October 15, 10:50 am, 2023
This weekend when we honor awareness about our Trans Beloveds, I want to talk about some stories I've heard from members lately. I want to talk about how we show up and invite others to do the same. I want to talk about the real danger of the bystander.
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Liz Strand, Board of Trustees; Hamner Family, Chalice Lighting; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Lambert Moss, soloist; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist
Shulee Ong, Camera; Felix Borggraefe, Audio; Asani Seawell, Live Chat Moderator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
I had a kind of tough emotional experience at church this week. My minister gave a talk about updating article 2. She said it is an exciting movement for UUs. We are changing with the time. We have identified six values that represent UU today which will replace / update the princples and sources.
The whole thing just made me feel left out, like those 'we' statements didn't really have anything to do with me.
I am emotionally invested in being a living tradition, and I was aware that the article 2 commission did a lot of work, and I have seen the six values. None of that was a surprise. And I'm not here to fight change.
What was surprising to me was how it made me feel. Being informed "we" as a religion are going through these changes made me feel ...alone? Irrelevant. It's such a contrast to the 8th princinple project which had so much positive discussion, which each church was invited to opt into.
I'm wondering if anyone else is experiencing the same or has words of wisdom for me.
We have a local UU Congregation and I have been a few times trying to decide if it's for me or not. The last time I went, a lady in charge of various committees came up to the microphone and started yelling at people and swearing saying what the hell is wrong with all of you and why don't you come to the things I set up. Sounds like she is in charge of various meet ups, maybe work parties or fund raising things, and she clearly just got fed up that not enough were attending.
What got me though is it seemed perfectly normal and nobody batted an eye to her yelling at and swearing at everyone in the room. Not a very respectful way to be heard and if I'm honest it really put me off to that Congregation and I haven't been back since.
Does this kind of thing happen often? Was it an unusual thing? 🤔
![]() | Since I don't think there's a lot of UU representation in media, here are my picks of fictional characters I can imagine being UU, which are Luz Noceda from The Owl House and Gwen Stacy, aka Spider-Gwen or Ghost Spider [link] [comments] |
This is pretty detailed so my apologies for the length…you should see my emails. :)
Our congregation has been experimenting with a version of Whole Worship where all ages are present for the entire service. Young children (ages 1-6 or so) sit on rugs at the front of the sanctuary to the foot of the podium playing with toys, wriggling and interacting as young kids do. Throughout the room there are a handful of very young children in their parents’ arms.
There are between 5 and 10 young kids at every service. They do have one role near the end of the service when they drop stones in water before a moment of silence.
There have been concerns voiced by a substantial proportion of the congregation: the moment of silence is never silent, the kids are a constant distraction during the message, and the lack of an alternate place for children during the service does two things - it puts a burden on families who want their children to be in a kid friendlier space during the service and does not offer targeted religious education for kids.
We used to have the first portion of the service for whole worship and then the kids would go to the lower floor - which is 80% child oriented art, education and play spaces - for religious education / kid social time.
Although church leadership claims our form of whole worship is common in UU, the group who has been disenchanted with the state of affairs has been unable to find any congregation who is currently doing service this way.
Has your congregation tried whole worship in this manner?
If so - Has your church stuck with it? How have you dealt with the distractions and noises young children provide?
Church leadership has decided to offer two services - one at 10 geared towards kids, fellowship between and a second service at 11:15. With less than 100 active members it is hard to see how this works long term so maybe there is another way we haven’t considered.
Thanks for getting this far and have a great day / week / season.
Recently I was involved as a designer with a UU church. One of the members took a disliking to me and sent my personal information to the congregation, including my name, phone, email, address, and financial information. She then claimed I was unprofessional, scamming the organization, and mentally unhealthy.
The board and congregation believed her. They fired me.
The way this congregation treated me was abysmal, I've never experienced anything like it in my nearly 50 years of life. I've never had a design client treat me this bad, ever. And I've worked with well over a hundred with marketing, design and consulting.
What I want to know is ...
Does the UU condone stigmatizing mental health?
Has this happened in your congregation / fellowship? If so, how was it handled?
If not, what is the best policy for addressing this?
I've reached out the the local conference and to the main headquarters about this.
As it stands for me and how I was treated, I'm not seeing any difference between UU and any other toxic organized religion. And unless there is accountability within the organization, I'll not attend any UU ever again.
Edit : Some extra info and I wanted to add that this has been a massively demoralizing, soul-crushing experience. The way UU presents itself makes it seem very welcoming and inclusive, and my wife and I had intentions of joining as members. There is no way we want to associate with abusive people and those who enable it. Stigmatizing mental health is hate speech.
My fiancée and I are getting married in September next year. Neither of us are baptised, nor Church-goers but we would like to share our relationship with a higher power so have chosen to be married in a Church. My family is Anglican, so we have booked a date with our local Anglican Church.
When it comes to my own spirituality, I strongly align with the beliefs of Unitarian Universalists. I believe in a higher power, appreciate the principles of Christianity, Humanism and when travelling, have always revered the sacred spaces of all religions - from Shinto to Buddhist to Muslim, with the highest regard. I believe that wherever I pray, or connect, that higher power will hear me.
Our priest is liberal and doesn't expect us to be baptised. However, he has offered baptism is we are interested. In terms of connecting with God, something is calling me to be baptised. I feel as though it will be a symbolic gesture of my spirituality that I've never undertaken in my life before, as it has been an entirely personal journey.
Despite this, however, my beliefs are so liberal, I feel I would completely lack integrity by being baptised. My fiancée and I, for instance, have a live-in relationship and this will not change. I also believe that humans are human and much of the strict 'rules' purported by Christianity doesn't reflect the multitude of experiences, mistakes, learnings, growth etc. that encompass being human.
And yet still, I feel an urge to have that connect with god solidified in baptism - even though I will not live my life according to the rules of a strict Christian Church. I feel in such a crisis and the experience has left me with so much shame, even though usually, I feel comfortable with my choices and life. I don't feel like I can be baptised unless I follow the rules exactly as it really lacks integrity.
Ironically, I have no issue with being married in the Anglican Church. I respect that space and see it it as a space of reverence that is a pathway to that higher power, due to the faith of the people who worship there.
I'm not sure what to do, or even perhaps what I am asking because I'm having trouble even explaining my own complicated feelings around this dilemma. Any advice from your perspective is so welcome.
"The Uses and Abuses of Scripture"
Sunday, October 8, 10:50 am, 2023
On a Sunday when we mark Indigenous Peoples Day, we will enjoy music from a group of Native Hawai’ian musicians. Rev. Buehrens reflect on how scripture was abused in the spread of settler colonialism, even as he invites people, in his Monday evening adult RE course on the Hebrew Bible, to learn about how the scriptures can be understood and used to counter oppression and begin the process of healing.
Rev. John Buehrens; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Lori Lai, Treasurer; Dennielle and Miles Kronenberg, Chalice Lighters; Worship Associate; Grandview Aloha Band featuring Ka’ala Carmack; Rosalie Alfonso; William Klingelhoffer; Pastor James Aarona; Mark Sumner, Songleader; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist
Shulee Ong, Camera; Eric Shackelford, Camera; Greggory Stevens, Chat Moderator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Athena Papadakos, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
“Hello, Frank!” in honor of the feast of St Francis which is on Oct 4.
Sunday, October 1, 10:50 am, 2023
Living in a city named for St. Francis, we find ourselves looking for the humanity behind the saint as we negotiate very difficult times: Ideals of loving the poor get confused with the complexity of addressing poverty and homelessness; and a reverence for all creation can leave us wondering what really matters environmentally. Join us as we look beyond the saint and find the human.
Carmen Barsody & Sam Dennison, Faithful Fools; Dennis Adams, Worship Associate; Linda Enger, Board of Trustee; Christoph Wagner, Cellist; Joanne Kong, Pianist; Mark Sumner, Songleader; Jon Silk, Drummer; Wm. García Ganz, Pianist
Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Jose Matias Pineda, Sexton; Linda Messner, Head Usher
I'm interested in becoming a Unitarian as my town has a Unitarian church and I'm a bisexual man and a panentheist. I believe God is the soul of the universe and the universe is his body, all living things are consciousness that broke off or emanated from God's consciousness. But my theology relies on mind-body dualism. So when I read the sources of the Unitarian Church and found this one, "Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit." I wondered, what does that mean? Is the Church taking a firm stance that mind-body dualism isn't a thing and taking a stance in favor of metaphysical materialism? Would love to have this explained, thanks.
Unitarian Universalists long ago abandoned confession as part of their liturgical tradition, believing that such a practice was in direct opposition to our First Principle of “covenanting to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of all persons.” Rev. Rolenz will explore whether the ancient practice of confession is antithetical to our First Principle, or actually a vehicle for deeper self-reflection?
This sermon podcast begins with Peggy Lin reading an excerpt from On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Danya Ruttenberg.
The Heritage Fondation has basically created a document called the 2025 Project which calls for America to be turned into a Christian Country in which the LGBT and non-Christians rights would no longer be recognized.
Do you feel this could be the end of us in the United States?
https://naunitarians.org/project/left-vs-left-whats-happening-here-aint-exactly-clear/
The talk starts at 4:00. The first 45 minutes are a general discussion, contrasting identity liberalism with traditional (enlightenment) liberalism. An overview of how this is affecting UU begins at 48:50. And then a specific discussion on the UUA Article II begins at 59:10.
The motion to change Article II (which will replace the Seven Principles with Six Shared Values ), was passed provisionally at GA 2023. The final vote will take place next summer, at GA 2024.
EDIT: the title wording should have been "... and the upcoming vote to replace the Seven Principles," because the Principles will not be replaced unless this is approved by 2/3 of the delegates to GA 2024. Regardless of how you feel on this issue, this is a good time to get engaged with the delegate selection process in your congregation.
"Final approval of the Article II proposal requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the 2024 General Assembly to adopted [sic] the revision as the new Article II of the UUA bylaws."
https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/article-ii-study-commission
Have they flocked to the mainline churches, such as the ones in the Presbyterian, Congregationalist and Anglican traditions? Have they become Christadelphians or Adventists? Are they still around after the fusion with the Universalist Association?
I am really curious to see if there are still biblical Unitarians, that are similar to John Biddle and Isaac Newton, who have not went into the Church of God, nor to the Christadelphian religion.
Hi, I’m new to this community but attend a UU congregation in Oklahoma. We have lost 3 of our Pride flags that are hung from our flag pole outside the building. The vandalism is escalating in that they used to steal them. Now they cut and slice them with a box cutter. The vandalism has been reported to the local police but to no avail. I’m just wondering if anyone else has had similar issues in their community, if we should be preparing for more violence or if any one has suggestions other than reporting to the authorities on how we can mitigate this. Thanks
Hi! I am a Catholic Christian and I am theologically very conservative. Yet I have always valued ecumenical dialogue and interfaith communities: I find them so enriching. So I am fascinated by UU. I believe that "Unitarian Universalism" can speak to me too. To me "Unitarian" means affirming the Unity of humanity and "Universalist" means that every experience is welcome. Though I believe that only a specific religion Is the true one, I believe that I can find elements of Truth in all faiths. I respect other people's beliefs and I would not try to force mine on them. So, although being a Trinitarian Unitarian could sound as a paradox, do you think I could be part of the group? Thank you in advance
![]() | submitted by /u/swearbear [link] [comments] |
The first time I went to my only nearby UU congregation, I was treated to a sermon centering on the idea that As women, we are natural mothers, even if we don't have children of our own. I'm an infertile woman in my 30s, I've had a hysterectomy, I don't have or want my own children, I'm not a mother, I will not be a mother in the future. Yet throughout the sermon I was informed that all women are naturally maternal, blah blah blah. It really sounded no different than what my conservative Christian family used to tell me when I still talked to them.
I didn't want to stay for coffee hour. When I tried to leave, two long-time members kept trying to corner me into an unwanted conversation and literally stood in front of the door. Only when I asked them "Why are you blocking the door?" did they sheepishly move out of the way.
Because I'm apparently quite stupid, I went back again last Sunday. This week's sermon was about something related to racial inclusivity. The congregation is almost entirely White, which is ironic given their lip-service to "diversity", but I don't find it inherently problematic to be in a heavily-White crowd. I'm Indian American and there was a Black couple there as well, but literally everyone else was White. Oh well. The problems began during coffee hour when I was repeatedly questioned about my life experiences as an Indian American. I'm sure they thought they were "questioning their beliefs" or whatever, but in reality they were just projecting a bunch of false assumptions onto me and then making baseless accusations. I was honestly disgusted and I left after about 25 minutes.
I won't be returning again. This is the only UU congregation within an hour of my home. If this is how they treat their guests, I don't want to find out how they treat me when they feel comfortable.
"Healing and Hope: A sermon on forgiveness and beyond"
Sunday, September 24, 10:50 am, 2023
Yom Kippur is a day for Jewish people to focus on forgiveness and determine how they will move forward in the next year. This morning, we will focus on our own relationship with forgiveness and participate in a ritual that allows us to find a sense of peace. If you are joining virtually, then please have a rock or stone to participate in the ritual.
Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Daniel Jackoway, Worship Associate; Jonah Berquist, Moderator; Gupta Family, Chalice Lighting; Bell Choir directed by Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Wm. Klingelhoffer, Shofar
Shulee Ong, Camera; Felix Borggraefe, Sound; Santana McBride, Live Chat Moderator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Carrie Steere-Salazar, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
I recently moved states, and attended a service with one of my local UUA's to hopefully find a congregation that I fit into. As expected, the population of the UUA was predominately older folks (60+), and due to the area, predominately upper class and white. The service was wonderful. The congregation left some things to be desired.
There was a side meeting held to discuss the recent adopting of an eighth pillar, one that specifically strives to bring racial equity and undo behaviors within the congregation or within themselves in order to make it a welcome place for all. We were able to share during the meeting, but my partner and I had little to contribute if only because we were new and did not know enough of what had been happening to say too much on it.
I guess to summarize, the congregation has been having discussions about how they might go about actually adopting this pillar, but not a lot has been done to actually do that. It's talked about almost as if the fact that we are talking about it is worth celebration, and yet it has been two years since the pillar was adopted, and no committee or leadership has been created to address it. Understandably, many in the congregation who are impacted by microagressions or outright discrimination in and out of the co gregarious are frusterated. Some individuals voiced their frusteration, asked when there was going to be a planning phase, some actions done, and there was a lot of "we tried our bstz but don't know what we are doing" and "it's up to the congregation to decide how to adopt these principals". The I dociduals impacted have voiced that it is a lotto shoulder to be expected to lead the charge in dismantling beliefs about their intersectionalities, and holding accountability for microagressions against them, and that congregational leadership should and needs to hold a more active role.
I see why there is frusteration. I had multiple interactions with mostly older men that were pretty uncomfortable. They didn't like when I corrected them, changed subject, or waved the conversation off. My partner did not get the same kind of treaent or interest despite being new as well, and announcing that he was new to UUA's all together. It was frustrating, not infuriating, but I definitely felt put off by it.
I'm going to try a different congregation in a population that is more like partner and myself, and looking online, it seems that congregation bringd in many diverse speakers. So my thought was, maybe there were initiatives in other UU's we could point to, so leadership can tyen pivk their brains and take action, since their main hold up seems to be that they don't feel they know what they shoukd do. I do have groups and activities I want to be a part of with the lovelier people from this first one (specifically their LGBTQIA and young adults), and these seem like good places to test sone of these steps so we can see if it is appropriate for this congregation. I also wanted to bring the conversation here, to see if any one had adopted similar things into their congregation, and perhaps what suggestions you all may have in navigating this kind of behavior within the congregation, having accountability, and addressing concerns in these meeting with leadership, e.c.t
Rev. Rolenz offers a reflection on how the various streams of our faith meet, merge, nourish and sustain us for the year ahead.
Hi - I've been trying to find a picture of the actual symbol designed by Hans Deutsch and used in WW2 era. Do any of you know where I could find it, or if you could share it with me? There are a lot of interpretations of the flaming chalice symbol that can be found online, but none that are directly attributed to Deutsch (from what I've seen). Any help appreciated!
![]() | While cleaning out a closet at church a while ago I found this game… does anyone recognize it? I can’t find anything online and even though I reached out to beacon press and the UUA no one’s gotten back to me so far. I can add more pictures of the inside if that’s helpful. I’m hoping to learn more about the game’s origins and history. [link] [comments] |
I believe every religion leads to the same God. Jesus, Buddha, Krishna, and many more are extensions of the Supreme divine.
God came to earth as those formed in different periods to encourage unity and spread positive teachings.
Does anyone have the same beliefs?
![]() | So, there’s this UU church about 25 minutes away from my house, and I’d never really thought about it before. But, I recently started a band and have been looking for a place we can practice, and I figured nearby churches would be a good place to look. This caused me to wonder about the lack of super overt Christian imagery. I then looked up what UU actually was and, while impressed by the idea of considering all the worlds religions, im curious how Unitarian Universalists see themselves. Do you guys see yourselves as a denomination of another religion or as your own thing? Also, your churches are beautiful. Just had to say that. [link] [comments] |
Specifically the UK. The closest we have here are Unitarian churches but I haven’t been able to find any UU congregations.
Edit: I’ve just realised that the “Unitarian” churches here are actually closer to UU congregations than traditional church congregations. Thanks for your replies!
Hello, I am doing this because it is literally a last resort before homelessness. I am in my 30's and have taken care of a family member for the past 8 months. The family member passed and I tried to find a job really hard because I just lived off of their income, anyway, no job and the months passed and I lost my car and I got diabetic neuropathy and now I cannot work a job outside of the home because of my legs. I also have crippling anxiety and live in a rural area. I have applied to endless online jobs but to no avail. I am losing my internet and probably going to be homeless at the end of the month. I have no speakable family because they dont like that i am gay and i also have horrible credit so i cannot borrow money. I know this looks suspicious as hell, but I promise you it is not, it is just a last resort. I am hungry and going to lose everything. If anyone could help at all my cashapp is $captainmidnight515 anything that you send will help me. Also, if you cannot send money please send prayers. I missed my loved one I took care of so bad, and so much heartache, but I would still do it again, we have some good times. Please just send good thoughts and vibes, I have also tried a few churches and food banks to no avail. Sorry, and I know people have it worse than me, just feeling down. I just do not want to live anymore. Will this ever get better? I hope it does but I don’t think it will. I just miss them and all this is just more than I can take. Please just manifest, pray for me, anything, there has to be an end to this. I know there are people with it a whole lot worse than me but this still hurts awful.
Hello, I am doing this because it is literally a last resort before homelessness. I am in my 30's and have taken care of a family member for the past 8 months. The family member passed and I tried to find a job really hard because I just lived off of their income, anyway, no job and the months passed and I lost my car and I got diabetic neuropathy and now I cannot work a job outside of the home because of my legs. I also have crippling anxiety and live in a rural area. I have applied to endless online jobs but to no avail. I am losing my internet and probably going to be homeless at the end of the month. I have no speakable family because they dont like that i am gay and i also have horrible credit so i cannot borrow money. I know this looks suspicious as hell, but I promise you it is not, it is just a last resort. I am hungry and going to lose everything. If anyone could help at all my cashapp is $captainmidnight515 anything that you send will help me. Also, if you cannot send money please send prayers. I missed my loved one I took care of so bad, and so much heartache, but I would still do it again, we have some good times. Please just send good thoughts and vibes, I have also tried a few churches and food banks to no avail. Sorry, and I know people have it worse than me, just feeling down. I just do not want to live anymore. Will this ever get better? I hope it does but I don’t think it will. I just miss them and all this is just more than I can take. Please just manifest, pray for me, anything, there has to be an end to this.
So, honestly, I’m not sure all that becoming a UU member entails... But I’ve been going to UU services — maybe 6 or 7 over the past few months — and so far I’ve really enjoyed the sense of community and how the services/sermons make me think more deeply about what’s going on in the world and in other people’s lives. I love that they share the donation baskets with organizations that are philanthropic and justice-oriented. I enjoy the singing and the stories and the little moments of meditation.
I think I want to do more and to even try making new friends with the UU crowd, but I’m worried about the whole “membership” aspect and how similar it may be to more traditional/organized religions. I don’t want to feel like I’m obligated to come each week or feel like I’m trapped in some kind of agreement to be UU… and the prospect of having a “chalice guide” (as they call it) kinda gives me cult vibes. 😅(Side note that may relevant: I was once approached by the door greeter and she kept thanking me for joining, telling me I should come back again, and touching my arm. It made feel pretty uncomfortable — I guess because it reminded me of how some Christian churches proselytize. Since then I’ve waited until the last minute before going in to avoid another situation like that. Everyone else has been great lol!)
All that being said, I totally understand if that’s, you know… kinda the point of going to church haha. Maybe you can’t be a part of the UU congregation without jumping in. At the end of the day though, I’m really looking for a way to socialize with like-minded people, to establish some routine to my life, and explore my spirituality as an Atheist. I don’t necessarily want to take unfair advantage of the community — but I’m just not yet passionate about the church or engrossed in its philosophies. I think I need to become involved on my own time and in my own terms.
Here’s my big question: Do I need to become an official member to take part in the church? For instance could I try out some of the clubs/activities first to see if it’s all a good fit? I’m thinking maybe this Sunday I will try one of the post-service groups that do meditation or group work… and I saw they have trunk or treat planned for this October which sounds like a lot of fun. (I’m a single woman, no kids, and I don’t get any trick or treaters where I live!!) Would it be okay to just show up, listen to the service, donate some money, and take things slow? Is there a point where I’ll no longer be welcome as a “guest”?
I’d really love any advice.. I sent an email to the church a few days ago basically saying all this and they only replied “come next Sunday and we’ll talk to you about the membership process.”
"We Are All the Same.... and Not: A service of celebration and reflection on being in community"
Sunday, September 17, 10:50 am, 2023
September 15 to October 15 is National Hispanic American Heritage Month. Mari Magaloni Ramos, Santana Gonzalez Gomez and Vanessa Southern will explore some of what we celebrate this month and also larger reflections about being in community together. Rumor has it there may also be members of a Mariachi band at church!!
Rev. Vanessa Rush Southern, Senior Minister; Rev. Laura Shennum, Minister of Congregational Life; Mari Magaloni Ramos, Worship Associate; Santana González Gómez, Worship Associate; Galen Workman, Board of Trustees; The Ferree Family, Chalice Lighting; Reiko Oda Lane, Organist; UUSF Choir led by Mark Sumner, Music Director; Morgen Warner, Soprano; Mariachi Trio El Jalisco
Shulee Ong, Camera; Jackson Munn, Camera; Asani Seawell, Live Chat Moderator; Jonathan Silk, Communications Director; Amy Kelly, Flowers; Linda Messner, Head Usher
Hello! I joined the UU church recently, although I had always been vaguely aware of it, in a way, I was a UU without knowing it!
I recently had a mental health crisis after using psilocybin, and ended up having an incredibly intense, scary, ego-death trip without my consent (I took a very small dose, but my doctors think that because of several chronic conditions, my body doesn't metabolize substances the same way as the average person). I had to do out-patient treatment for a month, but the nature of my crisis is not entirely psychological, so it helped, but only a little. Essentially I entered a crisis where I don't see anyting as real, and the concept of time triggers severe, all-encompassing panic. It's hard to describe, but I am chronically disoriented, things seem upside down and inside out and my own mental processes are very disorganized. Imagine trying to send a work email with a hangover, after stepping off a roller coaster. And the keyboard is set to another language, and the screen is not facing you.
Somehow, among this, I decided to join a UU church. I say I go every Sunday, but truthfully, my grasp of time and space is so scattered that it's not even easy to type this. And it's extra scary because I'm a boring, uptight professional who never dabbled in substances. What is happening to me is my dirty little secret.
In UU I find a little wedge of partial peace. I find myself not being able to feel fully present during service, but some things stick. I notice for even mere seconds at a time that I quiet the unrest and ask myself "How can I be of service?" " How can I uphold my promise to this person/animal/community" "What new promise can I make internally to be a better wife/daughter/sister?". And although I haven't chatted other members yet, even as I type this, I feel the love of this community is real. I know people are rooting for me, the way I am rooting for them, even without reading these words.
So thank you all for being a part of this, whatever it is. Thank you for your service, for your commitments, for your just being you.