My Pet Peeve and More Access to UU History

I thought I'd take this time and space to acknowledge a ministerial pet-peeve of mine. This is the misconception by many that Unitarian Universalism doesn't have its own theology. The truth is that it has, I think, a rich and life-giving theology, with which our own personal theologies experience varying degrees of synchronicity. So, I'm on a mission to have folks begin to understand that this wasn't a denomination that suddenly appeared in the 1960's and that throws up it's hands saying, "Whatever...it's all good." To that end, I've been trying to introduce resources for exploring the richness of our tradition both historically and theologically.

My colleague, Rev. Thom Belote, has generously posted lectures from a UU History seminar he put together for lay leaders as a part of the Midewest leadership school. I invite you to read a couple and let me know if they bring up questions for you.

Rev. Belote's lectures can be found via his blog: www.revthom.blogspot.com.

Obama Seder

It was such a joy to gather together for our annual Passover Seder. I regretted that I didn't catch this article in the New York Times until after we had celebrated together. I find it soothing to know that the President sits down for a Seder meal and spends an evening focusing on imprisonment and liberation. I like to imagine the message of Seder affecting how he thinks about everything from incarceration rates in the country to human trafficking to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender rights. Enjoy the picture painted in this article: Next Year in the White House: A Seder Tradition.

Back from Vacation and Profiles of Unitarian Universalists

Back from a delightful vacation during which we mostly unplugged ourselves while camping out on an island.

Last Sunday in church we reflected on the legacy of Rev. James Reeb who was killed in Selma after participating in a march with Martin Luther King and the meaning of heroism. Some of you expressed gratitude for the short lesson in Unitarian Universalism that came from hearing about Reeb's journey and how it fit with Unitarian Univesalist theology. I thought you might appreciate knowing about these short narrative biographies of Unitarian Universalist heroes that come to us thanks to the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Queens and their minister, Rev. Ian White Maher. They can be found by searching "UU Minute" on YouTube (www.youtube.com). You can start with this one about Reeb: James Reeb Video.