Standing on the side of love is the best politics of all

When the question arose about who would be willing to help with the October, 2016 service in our small UU congregation about "politics", the story in Matthew 15 - 22 immediately came to mind:

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap him in what he said.16 So they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and teach the way of God in accordance with truth, and show deference to no one; for you do not regard people with partiality. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to the emperor, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why are you putting me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 Then he said to them, “Whose head is this, and whose title?” 21 They answered, “The emperor’s.” Then he said to them, “Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”22 When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away.

It seemed that in this year, 2016, with an increasingly polarized and ugly presidential campaign season, the idea to address "politics" was like walking into a mine field. UUs covenant together to affirm and promote a principle, the fifth of seven, "the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large." Having been raised a Roman Catholic and as a practitioner of that religion before  moving to Unitarian Universalism, the teachings of Jesus still ring true and resonate strongly in the head and heart to the extent that there is a realization that the kingdom of which Jesus taught is not of this world. The story is told in John 18:

 Pilate then went back inside the palace, summoned Jesus and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”

34 “Is that your own idea,” Jesus asked, “or did others talk to you about me?”

35 “Am I a Jew?” Pilate replied. “Your own people and chief priests handed you over to me. What is it you have done?”

36 Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

37 “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

38 “What is truth?” retorted Pilate.

And Jesus puts His finger right on the issue when it comes to the "right of conscience" and that is "what is the truth?" 

It does not appear that the truth is important in the 2016 Presidential campaign and yet it is something that we Unitarian Universalists profess to care about. Our caring can be very stressful until we realize that the truth which we seek in faith is not likely to be found easily in this world of ego drama, but rather in the transcendent understanding of the interdependent web of all existence of which we are just a tiny part. If we are to take Jesus' advice, we simply give to the Emperor that things that are the Emperor's, and to God the things that are God's. The things that are of God is love for Jesus told us that the way to His Kingdom is "to love as I have loved." Unitarian Universalists strive to Stand On The Side Of Love which is the best politics of all.

How does the "right of conscience" and "use of democratic process" get applied in this election year of 2016 for a UU?

It was mentioned at church yesterday that the topic for reflection in October in our congregation might be "politics."

 In thinking about this topic, the fifth principle stands out, "The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large" as being the basis for reflection at this service. A particular focus on this topic might be how we manage our emotions and interactions as individuals, as congregations, and as a denomination of religious people with people who have different opinions and values than our own? Can we be kind and compassionate to those who have different political preferences? Should we be? 

Our fifth principle beginning with "the right of conscience" seems to imply a respect for other people's beliefs, opinions, and preferences even if they are different from our own. How does one apply this principle in election season? Please leave your thoughts and comments.

The Brockport Unitarian Universalist Fellowship starts its seventh year this morning.

I attended the first service of the new church year this morning at the Brockport Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, BUUF, in Brockport, NY. The congregation numbered 10 in attendance at the Different Path Gallery on Market Street, Brockport, NY in the midst of the Sunday Farmer's market. The focus of the service was on  our UU forebearers and the meaning of social justice in our UU tradition.

This is the beginning of the seventh year for BUUF which has had its ups and downs. The plan is to have one service per month on the first Sunday of the month at 10:00 AM.

New blog - Notes On The Spiritual Life

I am publishing most frequently now on the blog entitled, "Notes On The Spiritual Life" which can be accessed by clicking here. This blog is designed to publish comments on the spiritual life around monthly themes. The theme for February, 2016 is "decision making." The theme for March, 2016 is "salvation." You are welcome to visit and engage with the material by posting comments.

The Lord's prayer from A Course In Miracles

Bill Thetford: The Lord's Prayer (ACIM Version) from Foundation for Inner Peace on Vimeo.

Easter Hallelujah at First Universalist Church of Rochester, NY on Easter 04/05/15

Turning UU ministers into entrepreneurs begs the question of what are they going to sell?

The UU Ministers Association has a new program they are calling "Entrepreneurial Ministry" apparently designed to help UUs package and market the product to gain more market share.

While packaging and marketing are important, even more important is the product they are intending to sell. Without a clear sense of mission and vision and values, the business will continue to fail as it has been.

Unitarian Universalism, as a religion not a "movement," is badly in need of renewal. If UU has answers to the major religious questions people struggle with in our contemporary times it would sell itself. The secularization of UU as a business enterprise is not going to work. This effort of turning ministers into entrepreneurs is gimmicky, catchy, and inspirational in a counterfeit kind of way. UU needs to go back to its roots and engage in a radical renewal.

Some say that people are spiritually hungry which the population attempts to satiate with identification to sports teams and getting caught up in political fundamentalism of various ilks. Jesus said to be "in" the world, but not "of" the world. Jesus was other worldly and we have been warned about not espousing idols or false prophets. Thinking that UU is a business that requires entrepreneurial" pitch men and women is to go down a road that distracts us from UUs core mission which is to save the world from its ego driven nature and bring one another home to Godfulness.