[printprofilepic]By the time you hold this issue of the Voice in your hands, we’ll be very close to – or perhaps have just passed – another Election Day in the United States. There’s something about the approach of another opportunity to vote that seems to amplify anxiety. I’ve certainly felt anxious in the last several weeks. Grumpy. Tired. Of course, some of that might be due to my inclination towards seasonal disaffection this time of year. Or perhaps not: the other night, Jess and I were watching the local late newscast, which treated us during one commercial break to a total of no less than eight political ads, all negative and mudslinging – at least five or six minutes of doom, gloom, and negativity. I wasn’t even certain who was representing which party, or what anybody stood for. I found myself fervently wishing that we could just get to December now. It’s no wonder that people’s enthusiasm for participating in our democracy seems to poll so low.
And yet . . .
Our Unitarian Universalist principles place value in the democratic process – not just within our churches but also within the wider world. Think about that for a moment – democracy is, for Unitarian Universalists, a religious principle; participation in the continuation and well being of our civic environment is a visionary act. My participation matters more than my fatigue, and so I feel called both by my religious and civic communities to look past the time and money spent on negativity and to get informed – to find out what my leaders stand for, even if they won’t say outright; to make choices that make my community a better place to live and move toward a vision of a fair, just world.
Whatever your choices may be, I hope you’ll at least choose to participate in the process.
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In our congregational life, democracy plays out in different ways. We have a representative democracy in the form of an elected board and voluntary committees that keep the church functioning and make sure we are moving forward on a course that meets our mission and vision. We have the time and talents of all our volunteers that make Sunday mornings happen. We have the voluntary contributions all our members make each year that fund the advancement of our mission. There are so many ways to choose to participate in the well being of our church community.
A few weeks ago, Larry Schultz and the members of the program council presented a forum on the committee life of the church. Larry told the forum that his service on committees and on the board throughout his time in the congregation has played a major part in how he feels connected to the people around him here at the church; in turn, the church has benefited from Larry’s time and talent as he’s pursued his connections in this way. In other words, service to the congregation can be a relationship of mutual benefits. Now, it’s been said that no one joins a church because they’re aching to do committee work, and this is largely true. However, service to your church community on Sunday and beyond does deepen relationships. And, while most church traditions rely on the time, talent, and treasure of their members, Unitarian Universalism is wonderfully unique in its acknowledgement that the life of the congregation begins with the individuals who sit in the sanctuary each week. The power flows up, if you’ll pardon the expression, from the pews.
All of this is a long way of saying that we need you. Your choice to participate in this community – to engage in the myriad forms of democratic practice in the congregation – is vital; it’s good for you and for the congregation. Committees are one way to serve, but not the only way. Opportunities with smaller time commitments are always available. Check the “Simple Ways to Serve” board in the Hearth Room during coffee hour. If you’re curious about committees, remember that our Council meetings are always open to the church public on the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m.
Beyond these opportunities, if you have an idea of a way you’d like to contribute time and talent to the congregation, come and talk with me, or with any of the members of the board. We want to encourage your talents and encourage new ways for everyone to get involved. We’ll find a way to help you participate in a way that is meaningful to you and to the life of the church.
One additional way of participating is by giving me a hand with my sermons. I’m looking to include more experiences and viewpoints of the congregation in the sermons this year, working with the theory that our lives are the text from which we learn, and from which I preach. On Thursday, November 11th, I’ll hold a “Sermon Feed: Back and Forth” event in the Hearth Room at 7 p.m. This is an opportunity to offer feedback on any of this year’s sermons, and for me to ask you some questions that will feed into a future sermon. The first gathering should lead to some particularly meaty discussion, as I’ll be looking for input on an upcoming sermon about “god language.”
Or, maybe you have an idea of your own. Do you think you have a sermon in you? Something you think the congregation needs to hear? We have pulpit openings later in the year, and we’d like you to fill them. I’m offering sermon coaching to anyone who’d like to try their hand at speaking before the congregation. Contact me in the office if you’re interested.
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This month, we will be trying a small change to the order of service. We know many of you appreciate the chance to light a candle on Sundays, but we’ve received much feedback recently that the candle-lighting procession in the service interrupts the flow and the energy of Sunday mornings. Beginning November 7th, we’re going to shift the time to light candles to the beginning of services, starting with the moment you enter the sanctuary and ending with the prelude. The candle rack will be located on the far left side of Robinson Hall in front of the chancel area. Feel free to light a candle whenever you’re ready, up until the prelude has finished and the welcome begins. Parents should take special care in supervising their children with candles, and also take the opportunity to talk with our younger members about what it means to light a candle and to participate in services in this way.
The worship committee and I are always looking for feedback, especially as we begin to experiment more this year. Please send your comments to worship@uulosalamos.org.
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On Sunday, November 21st, we will once again present our “Thanksgiving Ethnic Bread Service.” We’re looking for volunteers willing to bake two loaves of bread for a service – a bread that represents part of your family heritage – and to share a few words with the congregation about the significance of that bread. We also need volunteers in coffee hour to help cut bread and serve cider. Please contact me before November 18th if you’re willing to bake.
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My first collection of sermons, Your Life is a Gospel, will be available on Amazon.com later this month. I spent part of this past summer editing sermons from my first two years in Los Alamos for the collection, and have chosen to publish it through CreateSpace, Amazon’s print-on-demand service. The book is $18, and I hope to have some copies available for sale at the church before the month is out.
I wish you all a bountiful and a restful Thanksgiving holiday.
See you in church,
Rev. John Cullinan
