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This may be a bit of an odd question, but do any of you find yourself searching for local UU churches when you go on vacation?
We joined our congregation about two years ago. Since then, everytime we go on vacation, I find myself searching for local UU churches near where we'll be.
Is this odd? I guess I see it as a refuge in an area I don't know; it's knowing they'll be allies near.
I worry this is a narrow-minded view, though. There are good people out there, even if they're not in the UU church.
That's all. Just food for thought.
Central East Region of the UUA
:Staff Writer
:In a Q&A, Rev. Shige Sakurai, UUA Special Assistant for Equity, Belonging, and Change, shares how UUs are engaging in culturalΒ transformation.
Well, I live in a country with NO UU Churches whatsoever (like, I checked the map and there's no Churches in THE ENTIRE REGION), and I'm neither in the economical situation to either move countries nor fund my own Church locally (one of the legal requisites here for doing so is having a physical place for meetings, which I can't afford rn).
However, UU is the closest thing I attune to Spiritually, so I want to join a Community. Is there like, a Discord server or anything like that where fellow UUs do online meetings? I wanna see if that's a possibility in the short term.
Thank you very much, and have a wonderful day! ^^
Elizabeth Berg's novel "Never Change" tells the bittersweet story of Myra Lipinski, a 51-year-old visiting nurse who considers herself a contented spinster, living quietly with her dog, Frank. Her ordered life is upended when she is assigned to care for Chip Reardon, the "golden boy" she secretly adored in high school. Chip, once the popular and handsome athlete, has returned to his hometown to die from an incurable brain tumor, having chosen to forgo further treatment.
Their reunion forces Myra and Chip into a poignant redefinition of their past roles. Myra, who always felt like an outsider in high school, now finds herself in a position of intimacy and care with the man she once worshipped from afar. As Chip's health declines, their relationship deepens, exploring themes of memory, longing, and second chances, even in the face of imminent loss. The arrival of Chip's former girlfriend, Diann, adds another layer of complexity, but ultimately, Myra finds herself in a loving connection, albeit with a man whose time is running out.
Therapeutic Benefits of Reading "Never Change":
Reading "Never Change" can offer several therapeutic benefits, particularly for those grappling with themes of:
Grief and Loss: The novel directly confronts the reality of terminal illness and impending death. It can help readers process emotions related to loss, both for themselves and for loved ones, by offering a sensitive portrayal of a character facing the end of life and those caring for them.
Acceptance and Letting Go: The story highlights the importance of accepting life's unpredictable nature and finding peace even in difficult circumstances. Chip's decision to forgo treatment and Myra's journey to accept their limited time together can be a powerful lesson in letting go of what cannot be changed.
Second Chances and Unconventional Love: For those who feel they've missed out on love or connection, the novel offers a hopeful message about finding profound relationships in unexpected places and at unexpected times, even in the twilight of life. It challenges conventional notions of romance and happiness.
Empathy and Compassion: Myra's role as a visiting nurse and her deep care for her patients, including Chip, fosters empathy in the reader. The book delves into the emotional complexities of caregiving and the human desire for connection, encouraging readers to consider the perspectives of both the ill and those who care for them.
Self-Discovery and Identity: Myra's journey allows her to shed old insecurities and embrace a more authentic version of herself. The novel can encourage readers to reflect on their own identities, past regrets, and the potential for personal growth at any stage of life.
Living Fully: Despite the somber backdrop of terminal illness, "Never Change" celebrates the richness of human connection and the importance of living fully, even when faced with limited time. It reminds readers to cherish moments and find joy in the present.
This book can be used to facilitate discussions about caregiving for human service professionals in all disciplines.
So in my early years the church was a big part of my life. My Grandmother was very involved and by extension my family was. After I was born I even lived in an apartment owned by the church and was raised there for a little while. I was "baptized" UU and the church was part of my life until I was about 11-12.
I'm 33 and just getting back in, but in a different part of the country. Over the years I've forgotten a lot and would like to reconnect with my faith and raise my children in it, but I've been to a couple services and I don't care for it.
The first presentation I attended was some pretentious writer reading from her memoirs about her struggle to save her boyfriend's family farm and get it recognized as protected land. My wife and children are native and I was so embarrassed listening to this woman talk about how after 4 generations it was a travesty they might lose their huge patch of land without a single mention of the suffering that made that land fall into their hands in the first place. She had given us enough context to understand she was from settler blood as well and when she said, "I could feel my ancestors rejoicing for us saving the land." I could about feel the soul leaving my body. Then she read us like 4 pages about buying a fucking car. It was awful.
My third visit was a sermon from a guest Minister. She seemed nice enough, but she basically gave a whole sermon on labor justice, liberation, and equality without a single honest criticism of what it is about our society and economic system that makes these things rampant. Nothing meaningful said on class or on the history of the labor movement. She made it seem like if immigrant produce pickers were given the protections and pay that most American blue collar workers have that that would be that. No more exploitation. No reason to think past a system that has benefited her tremendously and has caused untold suffering through war and imperialism. She wrapped this sermon up in revolutionary language and even added a nice white washed quote from a black revolutionary artist.
If I start on my first meeting with the Social Justice Group I'll be dropping like three more paragraphs about how problematic that was.
I say all this to ask if this is an experience you all are having? How do I reconnect with my faith when the church is so right wing? How do I get past the performative, white liberal, bullshit? Why have the politics of the church not expanded left of liberalism, especially since it's absolutely not compatible with our principles?
Thanks. I know that some of you may feel a little called out on this post and I'm genuinely sorry.
WWUUD stream 