What’s going on... July 2010

Sunday Services  

Sunday, July 4 – Rev. Fred Howard, “I See You”

Some of you will recognize the sermon title as the tag line from James Cameron’s recent blockbuster sci-fi movie “Avatar.”  On Independence Day we will re-explore the distant moon Pandora to see what truth about human freedom was revealed to Jake Sully during his mission there.

Sunday, July 11 – David Rodgers, “The Labyrinth in Sacred Placemaking”

The importance of the labyrinth today arises from its association with -inthos, the ancient Greek reference to the power of place, particularly the power of the sacred place.  The presentation will explore the concept of recreating a meander starting from a known entry to reach an unknown meditative place of feminine power centered at the intersection of human and natural forces and returning the meditant to the familiar world enlightened by the journey and without becoming lost.  Recreating a place symbolizing this journey reiterates a cycle of discovery and rediscovery each generation must make in order to come to terms with how best to integrate rationality and irrationality as forces equally capable of sustaining or destroying ourselves.
       As many of you  know, until recently, we had a “grass defined labyrinth on the church’s back lawn, which Jim Ingram designed according to a plan Luana Goodwin provided after speaking to our congregation about labyrinth’s several years ago.  David goes on to say that the value he sees of recreating the labyrinth by the UU congregation resides in its potential to symbolize our choice to share our spiritual journey as individuals and as members of a spiritual community to the center of individual human consciousness and the collective unconscious while simultaneously providing a path to return to daily life energized by discovering personal and communal insights into the feminine residing inseparably and deep within each of us and within society as a whole. 

       David Rodgers is an artist and a regular attendee of our services.  Welcome David again to our pulpit.

Sunday, July 18 –– SHARED SERVICE SUNDAY

Plans for this special day are described below.  Please note the change in time for services.  It is a wonderful opportunity and important that as many of our congregation as possible participate in all parts of this day’s events.  We owe Lars Leader special thanks for creating this opportunity for us.  Please join in if at all possible.

On July 18, our congregation has the opportunity to participate in a Shared-Service Sunday with Serenity Christian Church (1619 N. Lee St.)  Serenity is an African-American church that started up about a year ago.  They are a small congregation, but like ours are very involved in social justice issues. 

8:30 AM On that Sunday morning, we will carpool the short distance from our church to theirs.  Their sanctuary has a very distinctive architecture, with the roof shaped like an upside-down ship symbolizing a slave-trade vessel. 

Directions to Serenity Christian Church -- From our church, head towards the city on Park Ave.   Turn left onto Lee St, heading towards downtown.  (Lee Street is at the first traffic light past Ashley on Park, as you travel out of the city towards our church.)  Serenity church is about 1/3 mile down Park, on the left at the corner of Park and Moore.  They have a large parking lot at the back of the church.

9:00 AM Their service starts at 9:00 AM and finishes around 10:30 AM.  Members of the Serenity congregation will follow us back to our church to attend our service. 

11:00 AM   Rev. Fred Howard, “The Language of Love” at the UU Church

A disturbing trend in our increasingly polarized society is for our religious communities to only talk to themselves.  That is, we restrict our dialogue to those within our own enclave that already share our own views.  The result is a reinforcing feedback loop where we become more and more entrenched in our own narrow perspectives, be they liberal or conservative.  The Christian scriptures contain great wisdom regarding human language and our need to find words that transcend the particularities of clan and culture so that we might communicate in more loving and fruitful ways.   What we learn from each other in our shared experience this Sunday may hold the key to a Spirit within and beyond ourselves that can empower us to carry the good news into all the world.  

(Note:  Our service and RE will begin at 11:00 AM rather than 10:45 this day.)  The Children’s RE kids have a special project planned that they will do along with Serenity children.  (See the announcement about the RE program in this newsletter.)  

12:30 AM After the service, our UU congregation will host a Fellowship Luncheon with our Serenity guests at the UU Church. 

The Tanners will bring their grill with hot dogs, hamburgers, veggie burgers and chicken to share. Our members are asked to bring a side dish or dessert to share. Kimberly Tanner is coordinating the potluck.  Contact her with the item that you plan to bring so that she can make sure that we have a wide range of offerings.   

Sunday, July 25 – Dr. Anne Marie Smith, “Capitalizing on the Mouse:  Commodity Fetishism in Films by Disney and Dreamworks”

Ann Marie Smith will critique children's films that reflect a pro-capitalistic culture through the film companies' marketing techniques directed toward families and children.  Ann Marie Smith is a faculty member in the College of Education at VSU.   Her area of professional interest is in children’s literature.  She is a member of our congregation.  Welcome Ann Marie once again to our pulpit.

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Parking Problems - Can you Believe it?!

The Board has asked that some of us “old-timers” start parking on the school property that abuts our land.  A path has been recut through our woods to the church.  This will free up spaces in front of the church for newcomers and visitors.  Help out if you can and provide our visitors a more welcoming first visit.   Please be sure to heed this notice for our guests on Shared-Service Sunday.

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Religious Education

For Children: The RE program for children meets at. 10:45 AM concurrent with the Sunday morning service.  Contacts: Mya Storey; Susan Bailey.   

Kids’ Religious Education on Shared Service Sunday

Parents please note that RE and the service will begin at 11:00AM on this day, not the usual time.

On Shared Service Sunday, our lesson in Religious Education class will center on the 6^th Principle of Unitarian Universalism, “We believe in working for a peaceful, fair, and free world.”  We will talk about several peacemakers…Jesus, Gandhi, Cesar Chavez, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Nelson Mandela, do a group activity, and create two Peace Trees.

      The Peace Tree is the inspiration of Mitra Sen, a Canadian public school teacher and filmmaker.   Mitra became concerned when parents of students in her classrooms would not allow their children to participate in multicultural celebrations, music or art. Parents did not want their children to be exposed to other cultures and religious traditions. This led Mitra to create a film entitled “The Peace Tree”.

      The story centers around three friends, two Muslim girls and a Christian girl, who try to find a way to overcome their parents’ refusal to allow them to observe each other’s celebrations (Christmas and Eid). The girls are successful in showing their parents how important it is to celebrate and share diversity and become united in that diversity. In the process, the girls create the Peace Tree…a tree decorated with symbols of peace and love from many different cultures and faith traditions (the dove, the Star of David, the Cross, the paper crane, the Moon and Star of Islam, the Ohm from Hinduism, etc.)

       One of the two Peace Trees we decorate will go home with our visitors to Serenity Church and the other will remain at the Unitarian Universalist Church. May these trees serve as reminders of our shared service experience and of the importance of celebrating diversity in unity. In the words of Mitra Sen, “Let us embrace the beauty of every culture and faith to create peace in our world.”  

 The Kids’ RE Retreat is planned for July 10, overnight into Sunday, July 11. Start time is 4:30 PM on the 10^th.   Watch for details.  Contact Sue Bailey if you have questions.  

 Buddhist Sutta Study Group

Brian Ānanda is hosting a Buddhist Sutta Study Group at the church.  The meetings that began in late June are planned for the 1^st & 3^rd Tuesdays of the month (also the 5^th, when applicable) at the church.  Doors open at 6:00 PM and the meeting starts at 6:30 PM.  Contact Brian Ānanda if you are interested or just come to this wonderful opportunity to continue the discussion we began recently in Adult RE.  Brian has been sending e-mails over recent weeks about suggested readings.  If you are not seeing his posts let him know.  Brian has been attending our services as a newcomer to Valdosta.  He is a practicing Buddhist.

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MINISTERIAL MUUSINGS

Rev. Fred Howard                                               July 2010

This is an exciting time in the life of our community!  So much is happening.  It is a time of transition of leadership in our Board of Directors.  On July 4 we will celebrate both the job well done by our outgoing Board and also pledge our support to the ones who will be taking the helm for the next year.  Please take a moment to thank all of those who have served and will be serving in this capacity.  Your gratitude is a large part of the compensation that these receive for their faithful service to our congregation.  Really the only compensation they get outside of the satisfaction of service well done.

      Lars has already exhibited leadership in bringing up the idea of shared worship with Serenity Christian Church.  I concurred with Lars that this was a good idea to explore and so we began a conversation between the leadership of our respective congregations.  The results of those conversations will be our shared worship experience on July 18.  Those in our congregation who would like to are invited to join the contingent who will be attending the 9 AM worship at Serenity Church.  Then at 11AM those from Serenity who choose to will be coming to worship with us at UU Valdosta.

     This event promises to be a bold beginning in our transformation toward becoming a more multicultural community.  I guess it could be said that, “Its only one worship service,” and that’s true, but any journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.  And we are now taking that step.  Time will tell where the journey takes us.

     There may be surprises.  I expect there to be some, and even relish the possibility of something unexpected coming out of this initiative.  There may even be some resistance.  Change always stirs something fearful.  I think Paul Rasor put his finger on this fear in his article in our current issue of UU World Magazine when he wrote that it’s “the fear of difference that change always represents.  At a deeper level, it is a fear of losing control.  I am not talking here about political or social control, the fear perhaps that entrenched power groups in our congregations might lose their influence, though that might happen.  Instead, the real fear is the loss of intellectual control.  Our move toward becoming a multiracial and multicultural faith challenges our safe and tidy way of being religious.” 

        I encourage all who will to come and join us on this adventure of religious cultural exchange.  Who knows where it will lead?  If we did, then it would not be an adventure.  Hopefully, it will bring us to a place where we will be a little closer to being where we say we are when we speak of “global community,” “acceptance of one another” and “encouragement to spiritual growth” as outlined in our seven principles.  It may not turn out to be exactly like the place we had envisioned in "our safe and tidy way of being religious."  Perhaps it can be a place with more promise than the poverty of our individual and collective imaginations could ever conceive.   

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President’s Corner

Lars Leader

We have an exciting year ahead of us at UU Valdosta.  Over this past year, with Rev. Fred Howard as our minister, we’ve seen the chairs fill during our Sunday services.  Setting up more rows in the sanctuary has become a frequent task Sundays.  Newcomers have joined us as new members of our congregation.  We have a lot to look forward to!

     I think the most exciting aspect of our current growth has been the interest those new to our church have shown in becoming involved.  The musically talented are performing to add richness to our services, other newcomers are joining in to prepare the Meet and Greet coffee time, many are adding their thoughts during the discussion following the service, the RE teachers are getting extra help from folks who join the children for their class, and don’t think those who help straighten up the sanctuary after the service go unnoticed.  We’ve also seen some new faces at the service projects our congregation is a part of.

      The participation of those who attend our church in what we jointly affirm to be important is at the heart of our effort to “create the beloved community”.  All of the board members, as well as others in our fellowship, are available to assist anyone in becoming more involved, in joining in with your time, energy, skills.  We look forward to your input.  

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ABOUT OUR MEMBERS AND FRIENDS

Thought you might like to know that

v Glenda Whitman’s son is HOME!  As many of you know her son has been in Afghanistan this past year and has for some months had his expected return date delayed.  He visited with Glenda until he had to return to Fort Bragg, NC in late June.  He does not expect to have to return to Afghanistan until September 2011.  We’re so happy for you Glenda.

We say goodbye this summer to two families who we will miss

v Kari, Pat, Cameron, and Eric Wells who are moving to Miami.  We are going to miss you folks.  Do keep in touch.

v Shannon, Mike, Alex, and Damien Regains who will be moving to the Midwest as Mike leaves the service.  If you missed the book discussion a couple of months ago where some of us learned about their farming plans, you ought to chat with them before they leave.  Best wishes to you.

INVITATION TO MEMBERSHIP If you are interested in becoming a member of our fellowship, we encourage you to talk with our minister, Rev. Fred Howard or our President, Lars Leader or Membership Director, Kimberly Tanner.  We welcome your questions, and we extend an open invitation to all who want to join our liberal community of faith.

 

 

 

 

 

Fred Howard is our part time minister.  You may contact Rev. Howard by email (preferable) at fredhoward435@hotmail.com..  He is available for consultations on Monday and Wednesday afternoons on most weeks from 2-5PM by appointment.  Fred welcomes any questions you may have about membership in our congregation.  He is also available for weddings and rites of passage ceremonies by prearrangement.

 

 

 

 

Have a Happy Fourth Everyone-Happy Birthday America!

 

Let’s Have Some Fun!!

Book Discussion and Potluck: Next book and book discussion will be Friday August 13.  Book is "God Is Not One" by Stephen Prothero.  Prothero, who is a religion professor, takes the somewhat controversial position that  "the globe's eight major religions hold different and irreconcilable assumptions."  He argues that "understanding their differences is a start to accepting them."  The group meets at the church, usually on a Friday evening.  Bring a dish to share.  Coffee and tea will be provided.  You are welcome to bring other beverages.  We have been selecting books which deal with different cultures, religions, and life styles.  Let us know your suggestions.  Contact: Betty Derrick.

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Notes from Kids’ RE – Sue Bailey

This is a new, regular column for our newsletter from our RE Director.  Let Sue know how you like it.  Great idea Sue!

This is an exciting time in Kids’ Religious Education! We are growing! There are new faces and a variety of ages ranging from 2 – 14 so there is never a dull moment in the RE room.  For the past several weeks, we have focused on the first two principles of Unitarian Universalism: “We believe that everyone is important” and “We believe that everyone should be treated fairly and kindly.” Our lessons have centered on understanding the effects of labels and stereotypes on how we see and treat others. Stereotypes lead to making assumptions about people or groups that are inaccurate and unfair.

     In one lesson, we chose gifts for several people based on knowing only one characteristic about each individual. When we learned additional facts about each person, we had an opportunity to change our gifts to more closely match their interests. What a surprise to discover that Uncle Fred, a motorcycle gang member, enjoyed collecting antiques and Great Aunt Phyllis, the senior citizen, was a daring, adventurous, and loved tattoos and cool leather jackets.

      In another lesson, Greenie, the new kid, joined our class. Greenie was not welcomed by the class or treated very kindly because he was different and an outsider. We discovered from this lesson that words hurt and, even after we apologize for saying hurtful things, the scars from being mistreated remain. Greenie will never be the same as when he first joined the class.

     Bursting stereotypes was the activity for still another lesson in this unit. We each came up with one or two stereotypes and wrote them on strips of paper and tacked them beside balloons on the bulletin board. We discussed each stereotype (Tall people are good basketball players; grownups don’t like hip hop music; small people aren’t strong) and why it was an unfair and overly simple description. Each child then had the chance to burst a stereotype by popping the balloon.

     We will be finishing up our look at stereotyping with an examination of stereotypes in some well-known stories such as Cinderella, Snow White, and The Three Little Pigs and in the media. Our next unit, “Our Global Footprints”, will begin in July as we focus on the 7th principle – We believe in caring for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things.”  

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UU Church of Valdosta Board of Directors

June 2nd, 2010

Attendance: Doug Tanner,  Rosie Asbury, Sue Bailey, Fred Howard, Jim Ingram, Kimberly Tanner, Lars Leader, Kat Nickola and Kari Wells.

Old Business: 

·         Peace Pole-Might hold off on this project until Sept. for International Peace Day.

·         Labyrinth- still looking for ideas.  May need to call on volunteers to help with this project.

·         Doug ordered 10 more hymnals for the congregation. We have not yet ordered the supplements.

·         New vacuum was purchased for the church.

·         Jim is going to talk to someone about repairing/replacing the siding.

 

New Business:

·         Program's Report:  Programs are set through June and most of July, We still need more Lay Leaders. If you are interested, please contact one of the board members.

·         Treasurer:  Account looks good. We are ahead of our projected budget.

·         Need to check on the # of chairs we have to make sure there will be enough for the joint service.

·         Need a new microwave.  Kat said she may have one to donate.

·         Lars handed out a new chart that he would like to use going forward at the board meetings. This will help keep track of what everyone is doing.

·         Visitor cards- Kimberly is going to establish a data base or update the existing one that Lars has.

·         Discussion of possibly creating a Music program.  We have several talented members, if you are interested in being a part of it, please speak to Bill or Keith.

·         July 4th there will be a small ceremony to honor the outgoing and incoming board members.

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Treasurer's Report – Rosie Asbury

May 31, 2010

Receipts                  May                       July -present (11 mos.)

  Plate                     $ 263.60                                 $ 1880.60

  Pledge                  1905.00                                   15813.00

  Rent                        380.00                                    2600.00

  Miscell.                     60.00                                      385.00

Total Receipts  $ 2608.60                                $  20678.60

Disbursements    

  Speakers’ Fees   $ 400.00                                   $ 2275.00

  Minister Expense  700.00                                      10130.78

  Repairs & Maint   127.33                                          722.33

  Newsletter                  0.00                                       104.57

  Pest Control             35.00                                       692.00

  Building Insurance       0.00                                      1214.00

  Postage                  132.00                                       328.40

  Supplies                    10.14                                       180.00

  Utilities                    255.21                                    2758.30

  Advert./Website       0.00                                         350.00

  UUA Dues                 0.00                                     1659.00

  UU Conference        0.00                                         325.00

  Donations                0.00                                          425.00                               

  Others                      30.00                                        157.92

Total  Disburs.$ 1689.68                             $ 21322.30

Net Receipt      $   918.92                              $   - 643.70

 

Newsletter Editor:  Betty Derrick Website:  Carol Stiles Local Publicity: Dee Tait July 15: Deadline for August newsletter.

 

 

 

 

                   

 

Social Action Activities

Accepting Difference Project

This project works to bring attention to and build diverse coalitions to address systemic problems in our community.  

"Come-and-See" Training:  A second Come and See Training Leadership Workshop on Community Organizing was held on June 24.  The group of invited participants met at the VSU University Center. The Accepting Difference Project, under Carol Stiles' leadership for this project, along with Dee Tait, Lars Leader, and Susan Bailey invited the participants and planned details for this event.  Another event is scheduled for July 31 with Ana Garcia-Ashley, who is Co-director of the Civil Rights for Immigrants Department and Director of Southern Territory of the Gamaliel Foundation.  Watch for further information about this project in forthcoming newsletters.     

Break Bread Together

Our date for meal deliveries with the Break Bread Together program is the 2^nd Monday (and 5^th when there is one) of each month.  If you would like to help deliver meals beginning about 11:00 AM, please contact Frank or Rosie Asbury.  

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At the Church-in-the-Woods

New Hope Christian Community Church- Sunday evenings: Choir practice at 4:30 PM. Service at 6:00 PM.  http://internationalchristiancommunity.ning.com  

Taoist Tai Chi – Monday and Thursday: Continuing Class 6:00-7:30 PM for the summer. A new beginner’s class will start in late August.  Contact Dennis Bogyo or Luana Goodwin.  

PFLAG Meeting – 4th Tuesday each month, 7:00PM

Contact: Doug Tanner. The web page for PFLAG Valdosta:
http://pflag-valdosta.web.officelive.com/default.aspx

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UUA TRUSTEE TIDBITS                    Joan Lund                                   July 2010                                      

 

I would like to be writing about General Assembly 2010 but the column is due before my departure to our annual meeting. Hopefully those of you who attended GA returned energized and ready to share your perspectives and experiences with your congregation. It seems appropriate, no matter what decisions were made at GA to write about how we can become more welcoming of racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity, and to dismantle racism in congregations and the larger community. In a letter from our President, Rev. Peter Morales sent to all of us shortly before GA he said in part, “We are in a struggle for the future direction of American society. How we treat immigrants, especially those from Mexico and Central America, is today’s equivalent of the Civil Rights Movement.”    The issue for all of American society is how we are going to live together in a time in which “whites” are in the minority. This issue is one which will affect each of us no matter where we live, or how we identify ethnically and culturally. Rev. Morales has said, “We can be the religion for our time”. I believe he means we can be a faith that crosses what divides us in race, class, and culture…a significant challenge for our UU faith with our northern European roots.

An excellent beginning for all of us might be engaging in the newly-developed adult education Tapestry of Faith curriculum, Building the World We Dream About (BtWWDA), which was field tested with forty-five congregations for over a year from 2007 to 2008. It is expected to be available this year. The curriculum’s author is Dr. Mark A. Hicks, a George Mason University professor of transformational education, and JUUST Change Anti-Oppression Program Consultant.

                The goals of the curriculum are to: 1) Promote multicultural welcome, inclusion, and affirmation in all facets of UU congregational life; 2) Cultivate participants’ knowledge and skills in addressing issues related to race, ethnicity, and cultural identity both individually and institutionally; and 3) Identify ways congregations can build multiracial/multicultural communities of love and justice. The curriculum includes a series of interactive seminars conducted over a 12-month period. Participants will explore topics that increase personal understanding on race and ethnicity, as well as systemic racism, through spiritual reflection, journaling, the arts, simulations, guest speakers, and field trips. This year-long effort culminates with the creation of action plans for anti-racist/multicultural congregational transformation.

UU groups will be able to download BtWWDA; for information on when it will be available, contact Taquiena Boston, tboston@uua.org. You can contact me at jlund@uua.org.. I always look forward to hearing from you.

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UU Activities and Announcements

June 23-27- UUA General Assembly, Minneapolis , MN

July 19-25 - Southeast UU Summer Institute (SUUSI), Radford, VA

August 8-13- Southland UU Leadership Experience, The Mountain, Highlands, NC

 

SUUSI (Southeastern UU Summer Institute–July 19-25

It’s most likely too late to get in this year (but you can always try).  Read on to know to mark your calendar for next year though.

For the time of yoUUr life!  Are you looking for a great, affordable experience for your family, one with lots of adventures and filled with friends? If so, then come to SUUSI!

SUUSI is a fun-filled gathering of UU's and fellow travelers from all over the country. Activities for all ages are available, including workshops, nature outings, worship and theme talks, and nightlife, including some of the best musicians you'll ever hear! You'll be welcomed warmly and invited into our community. Together, we'll create a week of conversation, of reflection, of activity, and of family. You'll be challenged intellectually and nurtured spiritually. You can stay up all night dancing or making music, and spend all day communing with nature or exploring your personal growth. We have special programs for youth, teens and young adults, so be sure to bring the whole family. SUUSI is an intentional community of approximately 1,000 people - the second largest gathering of UUs in the world - who gather in July to explore our interconnectedness, learn new ways of seeing our world and each other, delight in the joys of meeting old friends and making new ones, share outdoor adventures, dance, and sing.  

Florida Chapter of UU Women and Religion: You are invited to share a weekend with other women of the Northeast Cluster.  Our goal is to share, learn, laugh, reflect and generally strengthen our connections to one another.  This time together will take place at the Canterbury Conference Center in Oveida Florida February 4-6, 2011.  One of the activities, for those interested, will be to discuss reactivating the Florida Chapter of UU Women and Religion.  There will be structured time as well as time to just hang out alone or with friends.  Final program details to be determined; your input is welcome.  Cost: $220.00 per person which includes double occupancy accommodations, six meals, hospitality bar (coffee, tea, water, soda fountain, whole fresh fruit) and use of the conference facilities.  The grounds are lovely and will offer the opportunity to enjoy the natural surroundings.  Check out the facility online at www.canterburyretreat.org A nonrefundable deposit of $20 is due by July 1s with final payment due October 1, 2010.  Make out checks to Northeast Cluster with UU Women's Retreat on the memo line.  Checks to Allie Gore 8062 SW 81st Loop Ocala, Fl 34476

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Sound Bites                              By Connie Goodbread  

As Unitarian Universalists we are confused about what a sound bite is. We think that a Unitarian Universalist sound bite must somehow explain everything about our faith. When in fact a sound bite is a piece of truth, not the whole truth. None of the sound bites that we hear about other religions explain the entirety of a faith. What we need is new good sound bites that are pithy, fun, joyful and short. Can you come up with a sound bite that speaks a piece of our truth? 

Great leaders are great leaders not because they can tell you what they are doing or how they will do it but because they can tell you why they are doing it. - Simon Sinek

For far too long Unitarian Universalism has been using terrible sound bites. Here are some examples: "We are the people who can believe anything we want." Or, "Unitarian Universalists, the people with the seven suggestions." Or, "God's frozen people." Or, "When given a choice UUs would rather talk about heaven than go there." You have all heard these as well as the jokes that we, and others, tell about us. We do this in an attempt to keep a sense of humor about ourselves. Don't get me wrong; keeping a sense of humor is a good thing. We are the fun faith. However, it is also important that we, at least some of us, take the faith seriously. Who does that?

Rev. Peter Morales, our UUA President, is using a sound bite that I would like to mention here. "We are the faith beyond belief." Unitarian Universalism -the faith beyond belief. Now that is good.

Rev. Susan Smith says, "There is no fundamentalism in Unitarian Universalism." Provocative and true. I have had more push back from this statement than any of these others. Fundamentalism asserts that it is the one way, the one truth, and that is not Unitarian Universalism. I like to say, "We are the people of the many paths." This is what makes us non-fundamentalists.  

"We are the people of the promise and the struggle." This one could be a Jewish sound bite. But it is also true for us. Our promise is our Covenant. Our struggle is to develop, become fully human, not to be stuck or mired forever in one stage but continually evolving - alive, awake, aware. Here is another, "We are the people who value loving justice and just loving." Love and justice, two of the deepest values we uphold.

                Our UUA has been using - "Standing on the side of love." "Nurture your spirit, help heal the world." Wonderful, meaningful and catchy.

                These statements cut to the heart of who we are. These sound bites tell people why we have a passion for Unitarian Universalism and why it might be meaningful in their lives too. These sound bites are not the whole truth but they are each, a piece of our truth. If we are to be all that we can be, then we need to understand why. Why we are. Why we exist. Why is this faith different? Do we have a deep message that could feed the people and save the world? Can we make simple statements that say why and that also inspires others? Not because of, or for, ourselves but because of our core values and because those core values could help others to become all they could be.

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