Closed Mouth, Opened Heart - Conscious Listening (JC)

In the Hindu/Buddhist tradition many believe there are seven chakras or seven centers in the body where one can collect energy, wisdom, insight, foresight, strength, compassion, power and love.  These energy centers are connected to particular glands in the body.  As one becomes master over oneself, he/she can open and close these energy centers as needed given the situation.

As an example, if I wanted to intuit a person's motives I could open my sixth chakra, also known as the "third eye" which regulates clarity, intuition, clear thinking and vision.  This energy center is located just above the eyes in the center of the forehead.

Chakras are important when I think about our ministry together at the UUCA.  We are in the business of developing intimate relationships with one another.  We grow closer by getting to know each other.  We get to know each other by listening to each other's stories.  When we hear each other in, love pains are endured and healed, wounds are closed, and love is given and received.

To build better relationships at church, at home or at work we must become better listeners.  That's what our monthly theme Sabbath is about to me--being quiet long enough to hear the other. When listening, practice opening only two energy centers (chakras 4 and 7) the heart and crown chakras which regulate love and spiritual connection.  When we enter into relationships from a spiritual perspective guided by love only good can be manifest.

I have personally felt the power of these energy centers in my life for better and for worse.  I've been in difficult conversations where I want the other person to see what I see.  I intentionally kept my third-eye chakra open trying to guess what this person is thinking, trying to convince them that my way was better.  But ultimately the conversation failed.  It is only when I made the decision to close the third-eye chakra and focus my energy on compassion and love, in the name of Spirit, that I began to hear/see things anew.  The conversation continued and healing occurred.

For the rest of this month of Sabbath, try to consciously listen to others.  Open your heart and spirit to love.  Take your eyes off of yourself and place them on someone else.  Practice conscious listening and things will transform!



Love and light,

Rev. John

Connecting as True Religion (CL)

Why do you come to church?

People have a variety of reasons:   Singing in a group, living their values in the community, hearing thought-provoking sermons, providing a safe environment for their children to grow, enjoying coffee and conversation…

All of these reasons have one thing in common: CONNECTIONS.

Connecting is why we come to church. Whether we are connecting to others in community, connecting to our larger world, or connecting to our deeper selves, the whole point is to connect. Hopefully, after we connect, we transform… We grow, we learn, we improve ourselves, or improve the world. But first, we have to connect.

The etymology of the word "religion" is "to connect."  (Re-ligare, like the word "ligament.")

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: We need to reclaim this vision of religion.

Do your beliefs and practices connect you, or separate you? If they connect you, to your own values, to others, and to the world… then that's a real religion! If they separate you, through fear, guilt, shame, or hate… then that's a false religion. I'm not afraid to call a spade a spade. I believe, as Unitarian Universalists, we need to celebrate real religion--those beliefs and practices that connect, support, and encourage people. And we need to denounce false religion-- those beliefs and practices that demean, belittle, or frighten.  We are NOT a religion that says "We can believe whatever we want." Connection is what we believe in. 

Our Seven Principles are accompanied by Six Sources of Inspiration.

These 6 Sources include:

- Direct personal experiences of wonder and transcendence.

- Words and deeds of prophetic, challenging men and women throughout history.
- Wisdom from the world's religions which inspire our ethical life.

- Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to love our neighbors as ourselves.

- Humanist traditions which encourage us to heed the guidance of reason.

- Earth-centered traditions which honor the cycles of the seasons and of life.

All of these sources are available to us as Unitarian Universalists. We are not limited by one source of scripture, or one particular prophet. We are open to a variety of ways of being inspired…  Of course, any of these sources could be abusive or hateful, if taken to an extreme or used in particular ways. But by remembering the root of real religion, we remember how to use these sources in a way that supports our lives and our community.

If you are looking for ways to connect at UUCA, you can visit our CONNECTIONS table starting on September 30. Our catalog will detail the classes you can take, the groups you can join, and the other opportunities for connection in our Unitarian Universalist community. In the meantime, you can contact me, Rev. Christina, at 410-266-8044 or FaithDev@uuca-md.org to discuss where you can get connected. 

If you need one-on-one support or pastoral care, remember, ALL of the ministers are available to talk or to listen. Just contact us directly and we'll find a time to meet.

In the spirit of love and connection…    - Rev. Christina Leone

RIDING THE CREST - Conscious Giving (JC)

Like many of you, I follow the UU Seven Principles and Six Sources as a guide for my life. These beliefs should not be seen as dogma or a creed but rather as guideposts for our lives.  I use them, daily, to help me navigate my moral compass in all situations that I'm presented.  I use these teachings to remind me of my highest aspirations.

In addition to the Seven Principles and Six Sources, I have also created seven ways of thinking that guide my life.  I believe when I have "right thinking" I am in line with my path, Spirit and life.  I have named this way of thinking "The Seven Principles of Consciousness.  They are:

 

            1.   Conscious Listening 

            2.   Conscious Learning

            3.   Conscious Loving

            4.   Conscious Giving  

            5.   Conscious Relating

            6.   Conscious Eating

            7.   Conscious Living

In this blog, I want to briefly focus on my 4th principle.

CONSCIOUS GIVING

To be conscious means we are aware of something.  Our awareness is shaped by our varying experiences.  Each day we learn something new.  My challenge to me is to be aware of what I am experiencing and learning.  I want to be fully present and in the moment so that I will not miss the lesson that is being given by life.

As a result of this awareness, I am conscious about my giving.  I ask, "How am I generous with my time, talent and treasure?  How am I being generous in my relationships--with my family, spouse, kids, colleagues, and congregants?  How is my generosity reflected in the quality of time I spend with folk in the community?  How am I using my gifts to serve others?  Am I sharing a positive word whenever possible?  Am I taking time to do the little things like holding the door for someone or buying the guys coffee ahead of me?"  Am I managing my financial resources in a faithful way?  Do I give, financially and generously to my church and other charitable organizations?  Am I active in any capacity where I am serving others who are not family or friends?"

When we are a conscious giver we are AWAKE and sensitive to our giving actions.

If you are not already, you can become a conscious giver today.  Just say, "I intend to be a conscious giver for the rest of my life" and you begin your new exciting path!  Yes, we all fall short of our expectation(s) but the goal is to keep reminding yourself to be generous and abundant in all that you say and do.  This is the secret to your success as a conscious giver.

In that light, I want to give you an opportunity to be generous.  The UUCA has an online store.  Books and other products you would normally purchase online can now be bought through our online store.  Here's how it works:
 
1. Go to the UUCA online store.
2. Click on "powered by amazon" in the upper right hand corner and anything you buy will benefit the UUCA. Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Love & Light,

Rev. John       
         

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.