If I Can't Dance

I read an intriguing blog post the other day by Reverend James Ford, the minister of the Providence R.I. UU church.  It was a long post (click this link to read in full) but this paragraph struck a deep chord within me:

  "Now, while I am intimately concerned with the questions of meaning and the possibilities of direction in our lives, this doesn’t mean all has to be solemn. Frequently the theme should be lighter—we need laughter and celebration and song every bit as much as reflection. I think of Emma Goldman, who said, “If I can’t dance, I won’t join your revolution.” And I see our church as a dancing revolution. We are engaged in a dance within the mystery of the cosmos."

It is very possible that I was a Baptist in a past life.  Bear in mind that all I know about the Baptist church is what I have absorbed from the popular media and by word of mouth. I have never actually attended a service. My mental image is one where worship services are infused with deep passion, joyful singing and boundless enthusiasm.  And therein lies the crux of my dilemma and possibly our denomination's dilemma.   The religious right seems to have corned the market on exultant, jubilant, passionate worship.

Which raises the question: what do we worship? We do not fling our arms up in the air during serive and shout "Amen" and "Praise Jesus"; we are Unitarian Universalists after all. We are a diverse people who have as many individual spiritual practices and beliefs as there are colors in the rainbow.  Our 7 principles are heady intellectual ideals which, while being noble, don't tend to inspire in me the desire to dance and shout for joy.  So, what do we worship?  More to the point, why don't we celebrate more often, shout for joy more often, exualte more often when we worship together?  I know that I hunger for that depth of feeling. 

Is it possible to be an Evangelical Unitarian Universalist church without the bible thumping and in the absence of an agreed upon deity? 

See, I'm a good UU....no answers.  Just questions.

Peace

Beginnings

Fall has always been my favorite time of year.  A time of new beginnings.  As sad as I am to see the free form, lazy days of summer come to an end I am equally happy to embrace the cool weather and the start of a new school year for my children.  Fall also marks the births of my two eldest children and even though they were born 18 and 16 years ago, I am mindful that their entry into the world was the start of my journey towards adulthood. I am the woman I am today because of their, and their siblings, presence in my life.

First Parish is also experiencing yet another new beginning.  On August 1st we welcomed Reverend Christina Sillari as our 15th settled minister.  She is the first woman and the first mother to lead our historic faith community. I am filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement as I look into the future.  At this critical juncture in the history of our community, as churches in our city close their doors due to lack of members and money, we at First Parish are filled with hope, commitment and passion.  We are called, each and every one of us, to re-imagine, reinvent and recreate what it means to be a church.  If we have the courage, the creativity and the boldness to take up this great challenge then we will not just survive as an urban church but we will thrive.

This blog is a new beginning as well.  It has been too long since I have written on a regular basis.  If one of my challenges is to find joy in my role as a leader then I must do those things that bring me joy.  Writing brings me joy.  I plan to use this forum to explore not just the challenges of our community but the challenges that face all of us as we battle a culture that is often filled with discord, commercialism, negativity and injustice.  I also envision this as a forum for healthy discussion. It is only when we question each other; challenge each other; lovingly critique each other, that we have a chance to grow as individuals and as a faith community.  I encourage you to leave your comments.  They will be read and honored.

Peace.