General Assembly 2009 June 25, 2009

For those of you who are new to Unitarian Universalism, you may think you have escaped organized religion, but truly you have not.  We actually are an organized religion, and our yearly national meetings prove it!  The intention with which we structure our religious institutions is vital to enlivening the covenants we make together in the presence of the sacred.  If we do not build structures that account for our yearning towards multiculturalism,  the pull of the status quo and the dominant culture will pull us back to a comfortable complacency.

The structure of our gatherings over the years has evolved.  This year we are focusing more on providing resources to the congregations in the form of UU University, offering tracks in areas ranging from the ever-tantalizing church Governance, Social Justice, Multi-generational church, Theology, Stewardship, etc.  And the best part of this is that all of this will be on video and available for purchase for congregational use.  The Social Justice track I attended today (which finishes tomorrow) was well-organized and stimulating in mind, body, and spirit.  Presenters like Paula Cole- Jones of the JUUST Change consultancy for the UUA, Paul Rasor and Sharon Welch left me wanting to read more of their words and preach their gospel.

You can still particpate by watching GA online streaming here.  Be sure to catch the Sunday morning worship with my beloved mentor the Rev. Abhi Janamanchi preaching. As leadership development continues to be a focus of General Assembly, my hope is that we will set aside funds for our leaders that they may attend and be inspired in mind, body, and spirit by this special yearly gathering.

Allison at the Meadville Lombard booth as a proud alumna!

You Are the Music in Me! June 14, 2009

I just got back from the Southwest Florida Gay and Lesbian Chorus performance “80 Spectacular Years of Disney,” and my face hurts from smiling so much.  As someone who is often up on a platform putting myself & my energy out there, it is so nourishing to be in the seats receiving the energy from others.

And what better group that the Gay and Lesbian Chorus?  Here is a group that sings with heart and feeling.  Until now I had no idea Disney songs could be so cool.  Perhaps it is also the context.  Hearing the song, “Someday My Prince Will Come” replete with song and dance from some fine male basses & tenors was utterly fabulous.  The song “Beautiful” reminded me of the ethos of gay and lesbian pride that says- you are beautiful! you are loved!

Maybe my schmaltzy centers are activated because this is the group that gave their time and talent to sing at my ordination.  Maybe it’s because it’s pride month and I myself am deeply proud of the gathering energy in Lee County that can bring us closer to justice for us/ our LGBTQ brothers and sisters.  But mostly, it’s because each person in the chorus let their light shine, gave the best of what they had- their authentic selves.  This is such a huge part of what gay pride is about- being who you are and shining that loving light onto others.

I want to publicly thank this fine, dedicated group for bringing so much fun and joy to our community! I love you all!

Unitarians in Edinburgh June 5, 2009

Andy and I had a fabulous trip together in Scotland.  On our last day there, we went with our friends to St. Marks Church.

Andy & Allison in front of St Marks

The service was very similar to ours.  A chalice was lit, prayer time, hymns, musical interlude and sermon.  They had a green hymnal published out of London by the British Unitarian Association in addition to our familiar Singing the Living Tradition gray hymnal.

view from the pews

After the service we trooped through the sanctuary to a room behind it.  We queued up for tea and coffee and good conversation.

The wee hospitality helpers. The gal on the right, Alice, is the daughter of our friends Paul and Mindy. I love Alice!

They even had a fair trade table:

On our travels, we also visited a church in Fortingall in the Perthshire region of Scotland.  The church there situated itself, as many churches did, at a sacred site.  The church was built right next to an ancient yew tree.  Experts speculate over its age, but the ball-park age of the Yew tree is 5,000 years.

info sign at the church

The yew is protected now b/c over time people have carved out bits of it to take home with them. It is amazing it still lives after being hollowed out by greed.

Where you see ground used to be the solid trunk of the yew. Only parts of it remain, but it lives!

It was a treat to spend so much time with my partner, my beautiful husband!  It is a gift to be employed by congregations who value a minister’s time away to be refreshed and to spend time with loved ones.

Thanks!

At Arthur's Seat atop Edinburgh