Phoenix, Here We Come! (FM)

Every June thousands of Unitarian Universalists gather for the UUA annual General Assembly.  This year’s event will be in Phoenix, AZ.Ministers arrive on June 18 and lay delegates come on June 20.It’s a unique Assembly this year because the theme is “JusticeGA.  ”You can hear President Morales’ invitation by clicking here.  At least a dozen members of UUCA will be attending and bringing home the “Good News” of GA.
           For your Ministry Team, this GA will be unlike any other.  We are excited about having been asked to bring our ministry to Phoenixand sharing it with so many other UUs.  As your ministers, we have always known that UUCA is a special congregation; now we’re going to share it with thousands of others during two major gatherings

           On Wednesday, June 20, I will be delivering the 192^nd Berry Street Lecture. Started in 1820 by William Ellery Channing, the BSL is the oldest continuing lecture in North America.  Rev. John will be introducing me to the audience of 500+ UU ministers.   My presentation is entitled “From iChurch to Beloved Community: Ecclesiology and Justice,” and in many ways you have heard it all!  That is, much of what I will be sharing grew from ideas that originated here at UUCA. Two ministers will give responses to my lecture: UUA President Morales and Kimberly Tomazewski (last year’s UUCA intern). I am honored and humbled to have been asked to do this (and will be happy when it’s over!).

           Then on Sunday, June 24, your Ministry Team will be conducting the biggest worship service of the Assembly. Anastassia will be lighting the chalice and giving the opening words, I will be speaking the prayer/reflection, Christina will be telling the “story for all ages,” and John will be delivering the sermon. The congregation will number 4000+! It promises to be an experience to remember. You can watch the service live by tuning into the streaming video link on June 24 (at 12 pm). We hope to arrange for watching it here at the church, so look for an announcement about this special and fun gathering.

           Both of these experiences are “once in a lifetime” opportunities. We will be holding you – the members and friends of UUCA – in our hearts and spirits as we travel to Phoenix and tell of the ministry we share with you.
           Take care and see you soon,
                         Fred

The Meaning of Membership (CL)

At the December congregational meeting, the "Improving Congregational Meetings Committee" passed out index cards and invited people to submit questions regarding the budget, which Jackie Heimbuch and Rev. Fred answered. 

One question wasn't really related to the budget, but Rev. Fred held on to it, and passed it along to me to answer…

"What are the advantages of church membership or incentives for membership? Other churches charge more for workshops and classes for non-members. Can non-members still wear blue nametags? Why be a member if you still have all the privileges if you don't pledge?"

My ministerial portfolio includes working with the Membership Team, which has wrestled with this very question. The question poses some interesting points; it's true, we don't charge money for our classes, for children's Religious Exploration, or for most events. We allow non-members and visitors to take part in all of those activities free of charge. Why bother being a member?

Here are some of the practical reasons:

1. Members get to wear blue nametags.

2. Ministers will officiate weddings, unions, memorial services and baby dedications free of charge to members. Building rentals are free or very reduced-cost to members.

3. Most lay-leadership positions are reserved for members. You cannot chair a committee or serve on the Board of Trustees as a non-member.

4. Members shape the direction of the church. Members vote on the budget, Board elections, calling or ordaining a minister, approving capital campaign or building plans, etc.. Democracy is a pillar of our faith (Principle #5) and exercising the right to vote is an important way of being a part of this congregation. In addition, while everyone has their opinions, the leadership of the church (including the ministers) gives the perspectives and opinions of members more weight than those of non-members.

  5. Serving as a delegate to Joseph Priestley District Assembly or UUA General Assembly is a right reserved for members. As with voting on issues of importance to UUCA, voting on issues of importance to our larger faith tradition and organization is also a privilege.

But, more importantly, I believe the reasons to be a member of this faith community have less to do with practical and pragmatic reasons, and more to do with reasons of meaning, depth, and commitment.

Consider for a moment, the debate over Marriage Equality. Why, in states where Civil Unions are legal for same-sex couples, are people still fighting for Marriage Equality? For the most part, the pragmatic details are the same. But there is something deeper, something more meaningful about Marriage, and same-sex couples and their allies are fighting for the right to have Marriage, not just the pragmatic rights and privileges. When someone chooses to join this congregation as a member, they are entering into a committed relationship, a covenant, with this community (a little bit like a marriage). The benefits are nice, but the act of taking one's faith journey seriously, and committing to walk beside members of this church as we work toward creating the Beloved Community, and being recognized as doing so, these are the real reasons we join a church community.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is not a pay-for-service commodity.  It is not the grocery store or the movie theater. It is an organization which provides services constantly to those who need them, whether they are members or not, whether they are UU or not. Choosing to join in membership with us says, "I believe in what this church offers. I support all the work of the church, even the parts that don't pertain directly to me. I want to partner with those efforts, and I choose to support this community with my time, talents, energy, ideas, and money." 

We are so blessed to be a community of such diverse, loving, committed people. I appreciate all of you, and I know that membership is an honor and a responsibility that most of you take very seriously. Thank you for that… It is through your commitment that this place will continue to be here, for those who seek us in the future.

RIDING THE CREST...

 
Need a visit or a call from one of your ministers?  The UUCA ministerial team is here for you.  As your Associate Minister with a social justice portfolio, I spend much of my time in the community.  However, I am still one of YOUR ministers and I'm here to provide pastoral counseling and care to you and your family when needed.  My colleagues echo my sentiment and are available as well.

Additionally, UUCA has a Pastoral Care Team that is also available.  They are just an e-mail away.  Contact Jeanne Slawson jeanneslawson@gmail.com  or Caroline Hadley c_hadley@verizon.net. 

We know there are many pains, transitions, homecomings/goings, and sorrows in our congregation.  Your ministers are here to celebrate and mourn with you.  Please do not shy away from reaching out to us.  Remember, we cannot always know your hurt or struggle unless you express it to us.

Together we will continue to build a church that nurtures the spirit and feeds the soul as we build bold and compassionate lives together.  Talk to you soon.

Rev. John
associate@uuca-md.org

Email for UUCA Ministers

Fred Muir -  minister@uuca-md.org
Christina Leone - faithdev@uuca-md.org
Anastassia Zinke - intern@uuca-md.org

Martin Luther and Diaper-Changing (CL)

On Sunday (May 13, Mother's Day), the Wonder Box contained a diaper.
You never know what's going to be in the Wonder Box!
The diaper was significant because it represented the story of Martin Luther, the 16th century priest and reformer who began the Protestant Reformation. Luther became a father and he once wrote a famous piece in which he discusses the importance of humbly serving God, in a way that allows people to respond to many callings, not just the calling to the priesthood. His point here is to emphasize serving God with humility (and while his theology is not our theology, and his times are not our times, this lesson in humility can be helpful).
I told you I'd post it to the blog, so here it is. Enjoy!   -Rev. Christina

 Here's what he wrote...

"Now you tell me, when a father goes ahead and washes diapers or performs some other mean task for his child, and someone ridicules him as an effeminate fool, though that father is acting in the spirit just described and in Christian faith, my dear fellow you tell me, which of the two is most keenly ridiculing the other? God, with all his angels and creatures, is smiling, not because that father is washing diapers, but because he is doing so in Christian faith. Those who sneer at him and see only the task but not the faith are ridiculing God with all his creatures, as the biggest fool on earth. Indeed, they are only ridiculing themselves; with all their cleverness they are nothing but devil’s fools."

When Doors Close.... (AZ)

For several years, I explored whether working towards justice outside of a faith community could fulfill my calling to help create communities pushing for change. While working as an English teacher in Japan, I founded a non-profit that developed and taught cultural awareness classes and raised funds for local relief groups in the Democratic Republic of Congo. After Japan, I lived with Burmese refugees and helped them improve their English so that they could appeal to the United Nations and non-governmental organizations for aid. Upon returning to the U.S., I worked to protect access to health care and served as a grassroots organizer, but something in this work made me feel that I was serving others instead of building a community of which I was a part. I felt like these paths were closing to me. I felt empty and disconnected.

The Quaker author Parker Palmer helped me through this crisis with his book, Let Your Life Speak. He wrote about his own unclear professional transition and internal stalemate:

After a few months of deepening frustration, I took my troubles to an older Quaker woman well known for her thoughtfulness and candor. “Ruth,” I said, “people keep telling me that‘way will open.’ Well, I sit in silence, I pray, I listen for my calling, but way is not opening. I’ve been trying to find my vocation for a long time, and I still don’t have the foggiest idea of what I’m meant to do. Way may open for other people, but it’s sure not opening for me.”

Ruth’s reply was a model of Quaker plain-speaking. “I’m a birthright friend,” she said somberly, “and in sixty-plus years of living, way has never opened in front of me.” She paused, and I started sinking into despair. Was this wise woman telling me that the Quaker concept of God’s guidance was a hoax? …

Then she spoke again, this time with a grin. “But a lot of way has closed behind me, and that’s had the same guiding effect.”

I laughed with her, laughed long and long, the kind of laughter that comes when a simple truth exposes your heart for the needlessly neurotic mess it has become. (p. 38-39)

As Ruth taught me, there is as much guidance in way that closes behind us as there is in way that opens ahead of us. … All we need to do is stop pounding on the door that just closed, turn around – which puts the door behind us – and welcome the largeness of life that now lies open to our souls. (p. 54-55)

While the doors of the advocacy world were “closing” for me, I noticed that I loved being at All Souls Church, Unitarian, and that my face would light up whenever I spoke about it. I was drawn to the multiple ways in which I could serve and be present with this community. I accepted a calling to ministry that I had previously silenced. My ministry asked me to foster congregational community because in addition to my passion for social justice, I wanted to address personal and spiritual issues. I saw that once people found healing and support within a congregation, they had the means and developed a desire to go out and transform the world. Vibrant, engaged Unitarian Universalist communities are the bedrock of the social justice work that we perform as part of our collective ministry. They are places of healing, hope, and justice-making. They are the place I call home.

Keeping the Faith: "Gating As a Way of Life" (FM)

When it comes to why people attend our congregation and stay, there are several responses many have shared with me.  Among the reasons are:  they feel comfortable at UUCA; they feel safe here. Some say they want a place where like-minded people gather.  I’ve also heard some say they were searching for a place where they could relax and let go; at UUCA they are free to be who they are regardless of their background.

     It’s likely that you’ve heard similar reasons as to why some come to and stay at UUCA.  You might be able to see yourself in one of these responses, maybe in all of them.  Where I’m going with this is to wonder if attitudes and reasons such as these actually create and reinforce a church community culture that might be just the opposite of what we want; one that is different from the story we think about and tell each other and newcomers.
     What set me to thinking about this is an OP-ED piece written weeks after the Trayvon Martin shooting in Sanford, FL.  The article is entitled “The Gated Community Mentality” by Rich Benjamin.  It’s a powerful examination about the ways communities can attract people who in turn attract other people who are just like them - likeness of values, skin color, attitudes, politics (everything from where you go to church or send your children to school, to how high your grass can grow or the color of your home), and who is welcome into your community and who is not, whether as a guest, a homeowner, or simply someone out walking. 

     There are all kinds of gated communities, real and symbolic ones.  Think about the places you go that restrict; some for legitimate, legal reasons and possibly others where the restrictions are questionable, or even hidden.  Perhaps the gates are so subtle you may not realize they exist. And what about your own thoughts and values - are they restricted, and if so in what way?  Do you control a gate that lets people and ideas in or out of your life?

     Now back to UUCA.  Are we a gated faith community?  I can already hear and feel some push-back -- of course we aren’t, we’re not gated!  We’re a church open to everyone, we allow free access to any person.  Anyone can come to UUCA without hesitation or fear of who they are, what they look like, or what it is they believe.  The gate is always open!  Some might say there is no gate.  Really?  Anyone is welcome?  No gate?  Or are there people and families for whom the gate is closed, while for others the gate is open?

     Rich Benjamin convincingly writes that America is rapidly developing “the gated community mentality.”  He thinks it’s almost impossible to avoid, to escape: “Gated communities churn a vicious cycle by attracting like-minded residents who seek shelter from outsiders and whose physical seclusion then worsens paranoid groupthink against outsiders.”  Strong words. Yet isn’t this one of the results of the fear that seems to be gripping our cities and communities?  The need to create gates to our communities is a response rooted in fear. Often the fear is baseless.  It’s hyped by the news, movies and TV, by friends and family, by politicians who claim to have the answer (so vote for them!).  Unfortunately it is sometimes hyped by the very places and people for whom relief from fear has traditionally been a calling - religious communities.

     As a small community of faith, we can make a difference in addressing fear.  Let’s look for the gates to our church, to our way of religion.  Let’s think about who gets in and who doesn’t.  There are so many questions and so little time, unless we act together.  Together let’s answer the call to open the gate, greet others with hospitality, and become a community where we “inspire and empower bold and compassionate living.”
     Take care and see you soon,
                   Fred