Both Sides By Rev. Nina D. Grey October, 2004

A non-UU minister friend asked, "Is it possible to be a staunch Unitarian Universalist?" I said, "Yes! It's even possible to be a devout Unitarian Universalist!" "Surely not!" he replied, a sparkle in his eyes. It was a playful interchange, but later I reminded him of some UUs we both know, completely devoted to our faith and our church. Then he agreed, that yes, it is possible to be a staunch UU.

A commitment to be non-creedal is not lack of passion. Many of us are very passionate about our principles, adamant about respecting each person, seeking justice, encouraging spiritual and/or intellectual growth, and acceptance of one another, obstinately attached to the democratic spirit of our faith, and profoundly committed to fostering harmony, peace, freedom and justice for all, and sustaining the intricate, diverse, interdependent web of life.

Some think a religion needs to have one compelling story or holy person to engender loyalty. But our religion, drawing on many religious and secular stories, and offering the inspirational example of wise and courageous men and women of many or even of no religion, evokes the deep devotion of many who worship in Unitarian Universalist congregations.

A man stood at a UU congregational meeting, to say how glad he was that he, who believed in a higher power, could worship with a woman who was a self-described atheist. He was proud his church exemplified the principles of acceptance of one another, the right of conscience, and a commitment to responsible seeking of truth. He relished the religious pluralism of that community.

We cherish our differences and simultaneously celebrate the bonds that unite us, the principles of our faith. My dream? That we will learn even more how to embody spiritual pluralism, to express through our programming the diversity represented by the flags of different traditions hanging in our sanctuary. That we might think together about how to respond to the variety of spiritual needs that our congregants bring, in order to better support each of us in our spiritual growing.

This year, our young people are learning about world religions. This seems like a great time for us to arrange some parallel adult programming through Sunday afternoon or evening programming. A lifespan approach to learning more about world religions could be a beginning in learning more about how to better embody religious and/or spiritual pluralism in our congregational life. Responding to this idea at our Religious Education Council retreat, one member said, "Ah! World religions aren't just out there! They’re also in here, in our own congregation!" In that spirit, we are all warmly invited to attend a gathering at our church October 12, a dialogue about the Barcelona Parliament of World Religions, where there will be representatives who are local Unitarian Universalist (like our own Rosemary Snow) as well as some of the Hindu, Jain and other faiths. See more about it elsewhere in the newsletter, and come join us then, and at worship and other times this month in church.

With love, in faith,

Nina