mUUsings from Rev. joan

In yesterday’s sermon, I alluded to finding a way to use modern technology to have deeper spiritual and theological discussions within our congregation.  This is my first attempt. After the annual meeting yesterday, I had a very brief discussion about the appropriateness of identifying First UU in our mission statement as “a religious community.”

If you at church yesterday, you know from my sermon and from previous sermons that I believe WE ARE.  As I said yesterday, many of us bring experiences that were not particularly pleasant or helpful to our spirituality within formal, traditional religions.  I understand this.  In fact, I come from a similar experience.  In my youth, the rules and customs, the lies and misdeeds of the leaders within the religion of my parents became stifling and non-spiritually productive for me.  Like many of you, when I found UU, it was like coming home.

I once read a sermon or heard sermon, I can’t quite remember, but what I took away was that Unitarian Universalism is the most-evolved form of our Judeo-Christian roots.  Interesting thought.

I believe that when we gather for worship UU-style, “A time to raise high that which gives worth and meaning to our lives” we gather as a religious community.  A religious community grounded in love.  Makes sense to me.  I believe UU could be the religion of our times and that we have much good news to share with the world.  As I said yesterday, allowing others to define us because of their unhealthy practices does not seem smart to me.

I pose this question to those interested in this discussion, if The First Unitarian Universalist Church of Indiana PA is not a “religious community,” what are we?  Why do we list our name with other churches in the Indiana Gazette and the tourist bureau?  As your minister, why am I asked to deliver a spiritual reflection at public events if not as the representative of a religious community?

I look forward to hearing your response.
Rev joan

FYI – your responses come to me only and I will post all responses that further the discussion.  Responses that are hateful or negative, from our community or others who might find this blog, will not be posted.