Thursday, November 24, 2022

Gratitude: The Heart Of Unitarian Universalism



Back in the Spring of 2007 the UU World published a feature article entitled The Heart Of Our Faith by Rev. Dr. Galen Guengerich the senior pastor at All Souls Church in New York City. The article was based on a sermon that Rev. Dr. Guengerich had given at All Souls on October 15, 2006.


Rev. Dr. Guengerich writes in part:


The feeling of awe emerges from experiences of the grandeur of life and the mystery of the divine. We happen upon a sense of inexpressible exhilaration at being alive and a sense of utter dependence upon sources of being beyond ourselves. This sense of awe and dependence should engender in us a discipline of gratitude, which constantly acknowledges that our present experience depends upon the sources that make it possible. The feeling of obligation lays claim to us when we sense our duty to the larger life we share. As we glimpse our dependence upon other people and things, we also glimpse our duty to them. This sense of obligation leads to an ethic of gratitude, which takes our experience of transcendence in the present and works for a future in which all relationships—among humans, as well as between humans and the physical world—are fair, constructive, and beautiful.


Rev. Dr. Guengerich had a book published in May of 2020 entitled “The Way Of Gratitude: A New Spirituality For Today.”


Knowing our Oneness with our Transcendent Source.


God has lit your mind Himself, and keeps your mind lit by His light because His light is what your mind is. This is totally beyond question, and when you question it you are answered. The Answer merely undoes the question by establishing the fact that to question reality is to question meaninglessly. That is why the Holy Spirit never questions. His sole function is to undo the questionable and thus lead to certainty. The certain are perfectly calm, because they are not in doubt. They do not raise questions, because nothing questionable enters their minds. This holds them in perfect serenity, because this is what they share, knowing what they are. T-7.III.5:1-8


A Course in Miracles (p. 250). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 


Belief in God is not a matter of empirical efforts nor is it a matter of the rational mind of the ego. Belief in God is not a “belief” at all but an experience. Having experienced the experience of the Divine there is no longer any doubt of any kind of the reality of God, our Transcendent Source.


In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. This truth and meaning is to be found within in our experience not in an empirical nor a rational process.


Today it is suggested that we take some time to retreat into the inner silence of our experience and know our Oneness with our Transcendent Source.


Wednesday, November 23, 2022

Acknowledging our authentic nature.


Because God’s equal Sons have everything, they cannot compete. Yet if they perceive any of their brothers as anything other than their perfect equals, the idea of competition has entered their minds. Do not underestimate your need to be vigilant against this idea, because all your conflicts come from it. It is the belief that conflicting interests are possible, and therefore you have accepted the impossible as true. Is that different from saying you perceive yourself as unreal? T-7.III.3:3-7


A Course in Miracles (p. 249). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 


The drops of the ocean are all equal and don’t compete because they are simply part of the whole. To see oneself as separate and in competition with other drops is insane because in essence all the drops are the same having come from the same source and returning to the same home from which they have come.


In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In this “inherent worth and dignity” there is no competition but only Oneness.


Today it is suggested that we reflect on our genuine and authentic nature and acknowledge it in ourselves and in others.


Changing the purposes of the UUA



It has been suggested by the committee on UUA article II bylaws that the purpose of the organization be changed from a service organization to an advocacy organization to “heal historic inequities.”


Historically, the Unitarian Universalist Association was to serve the needs of its member organizations which function for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes reasons. The draft states that the UUA “will transform the world by our liberating love.” Many have questioned what this sentence means specifically fearing that it opens the door to the political agenda of the board of directors.


In asking for feedback, the committee asks how a person would vote on the proposed change from no to yes on a four point scale and then asks for suggestions. You can read the text by clicking here, and you can provide feedback by clicking here. Feedback is requested by 11/28/22.


Transgender Christian leaders say scripture inspires inclusive congregations.



 

On September 25,2022, NPR aired a broadcast entitled “Transgender Religious Leaders Say Scripture Should Inspire Inclusive Congregations. Here is a brief excerpt:

Evangelical Christianity has played a big role in the political debate around transgender issues, and the spate of legislation it's led to. And so that position is widely known: God created humans, separated into male and female – categories that are innate and immutable.

But religions speak with more than one voice. And other Christians are using their sacred texts to embrace a broader understanding of gender.

Unitarian Universalism which includes people from all major religions and none do not profess a creed. Instead they have seven principles which they covenant together to affirm and promote. The first of the seven is the “inherent worth and dignity of every person.” 

One of Unitarianism pioneers, Francis David, said in the 16th century, “We need not think alike to love alike.”

The Universalists preached the unconditional love of God for God’s creation and that all humans will attain the Kingdom of God eventually.


Tuesday, November 22, 2022

Groundswell of opposition growing against article 2 changes to UUA bylaws.


Today it was learned by the staff at UU A Way Of Life that November 28th may be the last day that the comments on the UUA bylaws revision will be accepted. Here is the link for comments - https://bit.ly/A2FeedbackNov It's supposed to be available until November 28. The comment form  tracks emails, so you can only enter comments once.

The bylaw revisions change the purpose of the Unitarian Universalist Association, eliminate the seven principles and the six sources, and add wording about inclusion. A side by side comparison of the changes can be accessed by clicking here.

There is a groundswell of objections to these revisions coming from UU groups such as UUMUAC (Unitarian Universalist Multiracial Action Council), the Fifth Principle Project, and many individuals and UU congregations.

Becoming One with All.

What can the perfect consistency of the Kingdom mean to those who are confused? It is apparent that confusion interferes with meaning, and therefore prevents the learner from appreciating it. There is no confusion in the Kingdom, because there is only one meaning. This meaning comes from God and is God. Because it is also you, you share it and extend it as your Creator did. This needs no translation because it is perfectly understood, but it does need extension because it means extension. T-7.II.7:1-6


A Course in Miracles (p. 248). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition. 


Carl Jung is said to have said one time something like, “I don’t believe in God; I know there is a God.” If Oneness is your experience, “belief” has no meaning. Belief is a cognitive activity, Experience is awareness in our whole being.


In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. What UUs are seeking is not cognitive understanding but an experience of Divine Union.


Today it is suggested that we take our thinking caps off and sink into the relaxation of becoming one with the all.


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