Rev. Bill Gupton of Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church took the pulpit today. His career path has included stops as journalist, minister, and yoga teacher. He said Heritage is "where the Universalist comes first." His sermon reminded us of what a radical and rational concept it is to support the inherent worth and dignity of every person.
Universalist, Gupton says, is the grammatical modifier. You can be a Universalist Hindu, a Universalist Sufi, a Universalist Jew, or a Universalist Christian. The Universalist side of our faith believes that we are all saved, universally.
Rev. Gupton shared the story of Rev. Carlton Pearson, a former Pentacostal bishop who has embraced Universalism. His story was covered by UU World and This American Life. Rev. Pearson, the conservative leader of a mega-church in Tulsa, had a change of heart when he found that his best friend was gay. His religion told him that this man would go to hell. Pearson started to doubt a god that would punish his friend, a man he knew to be good. He started to preach a more universalist message. All were saved in God.
Pearson was soon rejected by his faith. All Souls Unitarian Church of Tulsa, a mostly white congregation, offered Pearson and his remaining followers to share space at their church. Their combined efforts have created the UUA's largest congregation in America. That is radical in Oklahoma. It's radical everywhere.
This radical love is something to learn from. It is radical to accept all comers--gay, straight, black, white, gospel, classical, urban, suburban. . . It's what All Souls and Pearson did. It's what our UUniversalist principles call us to do.
Go out into the world,
G.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
08/08/10--What is Theism? by Rev. Sharon Dittmar
What is Theism? Jan Connelly started us off with thinking about this topic describing an exercise Sharon led Jan's orientation group through. Imagine a line with THEIST at one end and ATHEIST at the other. Where on the line would you place yourself on this human spectrum?
In the children's story, Sharon allayed some of the fears the adults might have had about God, assuring all, "You don't have to believe what I believe." She shared some books that might start a talk about theism started between you and your young person. Here's a reading list:
Sharon told the story of Rev. Bill Sinkford's journey from atheist to believer. It involves an exodus and return to First Unitarian. There was a long night waiting at his son's hospital bed. He described how his prayers evolved in the course of the night from begging to save his son to a comfort in knowing that whatever happened, Bill and Billy would be held in the hands of God.
Later, Sinkford's journey led him to become President of the UUA. His call for developing a "language of reverence" to "name the holy" caused an uproar for a while in Unitarian circles. Sharon reminded us that the conservative and fundamentalist elements of our society often hold the language that is related to God. What we hear about God is not liberal perhaps because liberals do not speak of God much at all.
The definition of God has evolved. Sharon said, "If we're free to grow and learn, we're going to change our minds." God had to change because the authoritarian God of our parents was more about power than justice and love. "In order to survive the twentieth century, God had to change."
This statement just blew me away. "God had to change." I have never thought of God as being very willing to change. But Sharon reminded me that this is true. My own process has led me from fundamentalism to atheism to agnosticism to theism. (And since Sharon introduced me to panentheism this morning, I think that might me the next step on my journey. Or maybe I'm a pantheist.) I thought I was changing. Sharon spoke of I & Thou by Martin Buber. Buber is saying you need God and God needs you. This forms the basis of Hartshorne's Process Theology. So I'm left wondering what it is God needs us to do?
Feminist theology has added to Sharon's understanding of God. Many early religions have male and female aspects of deities. Women are generally gentler. So when God is seen as feminine, God can be more caring. And thus, women can be seen as powerful.
Black Liberation Theology has also influenced Sharon's definition of God. James Cone's work has emphasized that if a God exists, God will be with the oppressed. If he is not, God is racist. Sharon says, "The day I read 'God is Black', I knew I could trust God again."
Theodicy is the justification of God in the face of suffering. If God is all powerful, how do we explain holocausts, genocide, hunger, violence? For many, there is no way to explain these horrible things if God is all powerful. So maybe God isn't all powerful. And maybe God doesn't need to be. Perhaps, the thing we call God is just the guarantee that you will not be alone in your suffering. There are people at this church who will keep that guarantee. Bill Sinkford was assured of that when his mother died. He had been away from First for some time. But someone from this congregation brought him a covered dish when his mother died and that started him on a different course in his life. Maybe we find God in the covered dish.
The minister doesn't have all the answers to this. And neither does the blogger. I'm interested to hear your opinions and thoughts on this question for the ages.
Go out into the world in peace,
G.
In the children's story, Sharon allayed some of the fears the adults might have had about God, assuring all, "You don't have to believe what I believe." She shared some books that might start a talk about theism started between you and your young person. Here's a reading list:
- What is God's Name? by Sasso
- What Does God Look Like? by Kushner
- Where is God? by Kushner
- God Lives in Glass by Landy
- Ayat Jamila: Beautiful Signs by Conover and Crane
- Humanism? What's That? by Bennet
- The Everything Seed by Martignacco
Sharon told the story of Rev. Bill Sinkford's journey from atheist to believer. It involves an exodus and return to First Unitarian. There was a long night waiting at his son's hospital bed. He described how his prayers evolved in the course of the night from begging to save his son to a comfort in knowing that whatever happened, Bill and Billy would be held in the hands of God.
Later, Sinkford's journey led him to become President of the UUA. His call for developing a "language of reverence" to "name the holy" caused an uproar for a while in Unitarian circles. Sharon reminded us that the conservative and fundamentalist elements of our society often hold the language that is related to God. What we hear about God is not liberal perhaps because liberals do not speak of God much at all.
The definition of God has evolved. Sharon said, "If we're free to grow and learn, we're going to change our minds." God had to change because the authoritarian God of our parents was more about power than justice and love. "In order to survive the twentieth century, God had to change."
This statement just blew me away. "God had to change." I have never thought of God as being very willing to change. But Sharon reminded me that this is true. My own process has led me from fundamentalism to atheism to agnosticism to theism. (And since Sharon introduced me to panentheism this morning, I think that might me the next step on my journey. Or maybe I'm a pantheist.) I thought I was changing. Sharon spoke of I & Thou by Martin Buber. Buber is saying you need God and God needs you. This forms the basis of Hartshorne's Process Theology. So I'm left wondering what it is God needs us to do?
Feminist theology has added to Sharon's understanding of God. Many early religions have male and female aspects of deities. Women are generally gentler. So when God is seen as feminine, God can be more caring. And thus, women can be seen as powerful.
Black Liberation Theology has also influenced Sharon's definition of God. James Cone's work has emphasized that if a God exists, God will be with the oppressed. If he is not, God is racist. Sharon says, "The day I read 'God is Black', I knew I could trust God again."
Theodicy is the justification of God in the face of suffering. If God is all powerful, how do we explain holocausts, genocide, hunger, violence? For many, there is no way to explain these horrible things if God is all powerful. So maybe God isn't all powerful. And maybe God doesn't need to be. Perhaps, the thing we call God is just the guarantee that you will not be alone in your suffering. There are people at this church who will keep that guarantee. Bill Sinkford was assured of that when his mother died. He had been away from First for some time. But someone from this congregation brought him a covered dish when his mother died and that started him on a different course in his life. Maybe we find God in the covered dish.
The minister doesn't have all the answers to this. And neither does the blogger. I'm interested to hear your opinions and thoughts on this question for the ages.
Go out into the world in peace,
G.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Music/Sound Art/Community/Engagement/Worship
Do all of those words mean the same thing? I was flipping through some UU blogs and found this entry. It's timely to me as we prepare this weekend to hear the musical journeys of some of our members. Nick Payne will be the service leader for what is always an engaging time.
Is this worship? Art? Performance? Noise? It does seem fun. It does engage. And my, those people seem young. See what you think. Forget those hippie drum circles.
Is this worship? Art? Performance? Noise? It does seem fun. It does engage. And my, those people seem young. See what you think. Forget those hippie drum circles.
Sunday, June 13, 2010
"Gender Identity" with Rev. Sharon Dittmar on 06/13/10
Pride Sunday is always a great day at our church. Today was no different. From the rainbow balloons in the entry, to our private accessible restroom on the second floor, to the rainbow sherbet served after the service, it is clear that this church takes PRIDE in welcoming and celebrating the gay community.
This year's Pride Sunday service focused on issues of gender identity. Rev. Dittmar taught us so much about the experience of GLBQT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgendered) people. Some vocabulary, some etiquette, some popular culture.
Sharon mentioned Leslie Feinberg's Beacon Press book Transgender Warriors. This sounds like an excellent book to enhance understanding of the social justice issues that surround our gender expression. Feinberg's own life experience reminds me of the courage these warriors must summon in order to walk about in a world that prefers direct answer to "Is that a man or a woman?" Sharon also mentioned Jeffrey Eugenides's fictional Middlesex, which I can highly recommend. The movie "Boys Don't Cry" and the production notes here also illuminate the violent death that Brandon Teena suffered because others were afraid of his gender expression.
Can a boy wear a skirt to school? Can a girl wear a tux to the prom? This sermon reminds me that our teens, puzzling out their own sexual and gender identities, often lead us into clearer thinking on the issues with their willingness to question our standard ways of thinking. As Sharon reminded us, to them gender is something to play with. Boys with eyeliner. Girls in boxer shorts. Appreciate the difference. Children at our church and, hopefully, in our world will be accepted, embraced, protected no matter how they identify.
The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing offers resources for faith communities working in our own church, the community, and the world to celebrate and support GLBTQ people and to take a stand on issues of injustice related to sexuality. Our own UUA, has started the Standing on the Side of Love campaign, led by our own RE graduate, Adam Gerhardstein. Adam's parents, Mimi Gingold and Al Gerhardstein, are rightfully proud of the ministry he has taken up, as we all are. The effort encourages using the power of love to conquer discrimination of all sorts, including advocacy to end unfair marriage discrimination for gay couples. (By the way, Standing on the Side of Love takes its name from our closing hymn today that was written in honor of another of our own RE graduates, former UUA president Rev. Bill Sinkford.)
The problem of how to label, identify, and classify people is not their problem. Sharon reminds us, "The problem is ours and that's a good problem to have because we can change. . . Find your love and give it."
And take a peek at Bret Michaels' hair extensions.
Go out into the world. . .
G.
This year's Pride Sunday service focused on issues of gender identity. Rev. Dittmar taught us so much about the experience of GLBQT (gay, lesbian, bisexual, queer, and transgendered) people. Some vocabulary, some etiquette, some popular culture.
Sharon mentioned Leslie Feinberg's Beacon Press book Transgender Warriors. This sounds like an excellent book to enhance understanding of the social justice issues that surround our gender expression. Feinberg's own life experience reminds me of the courage these warriors must summon in order to walk about in a world that prefers direct answer to "Is that a man or a woman?" Sharon also mentioned Jeffrey Eugenides's fictional Middlesex, which I can highly recommend. The movie "Boys Don't Cry" and the production notes here also illuminate the violent death that Brandon Teena suffered because others were afraid of his gender expression.
Can a boy wear a skirt to school? Can a girl wear a tux to the prom? This sermon reminds me that our teens, puzzling out their own sexual and gender identities, often lead us into clearer thinking on the issues with their willingness to question our standard ways of thinking. As Sharon reminded us, to them gender is something to play with. Boys with eyeliner. Girls in boxer shorts. Appreciate the difference. Children at our church and, hopefully, in our world will be accepted, embraced, protected no matter how they identify.
The Religious Institute on Sexual Morality, Justice, and Healing offers resources for faith communities working in our own church, the community, and the world to celebrate and support GLBTQ people and to take a stand on issues of injustice related to sexuality. Our own UUA, has started the Standing on the Side of Love campaign, led by our own RE graduate, Adam Gerhardstein. Adam's parents, Mimi Gingold and Al Gerhardstein, are rightfully proud of the ministry he has taken up, as we all are. The effort encourages using the power of love to conquer discrimination of all sorts, including advocacy to end unfair marriage discrimination for gay couples. (By the way, Standing on the Side of Love takes its name from our closing hymn today that was written in honor of another of our own RE graduates, former UUA president Rev. Bill Sinkford.)
The problem of how to label, identify, and classify people is not their problem. Sharon reminds us, "The problem is ours and that's a good problem to have because we can change. . . Find your love and give it."
And take a peek at Bret Michaels' hair extensions.
Go out into the world. . .
G.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
"Coming Home" with Rev. Sharon Dittmar on 05/30/2010
Today's topic "Coming Home" deals with soldiers and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. You can find more information about PTSD and treatments at these links:
National Institute of Mental Health
Cincinnati VA
Mayo Clinic
Soldiers, familes, and communities are torn apart when a soldier leaves, is hurt, or dies. Sharon sang it so eloquently in the offertory today. Here's a link to the Dixie Chick's version of the song, "Travelin' Soldier."
You Tube
Go out into the world. . .
G.
National Institute of Mental Health
Cincinnati VA
Mayo Clinic
Soldiers, familes, and communities are torn apart when a soldier leaves, is hurt, or dies. Sharon sang it so eloquently in the offertory today. Here's a link to the Dixie Chick's version of the song, "Travelin' Soldier."
You Tube
Go out into the world. . .
G.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
Music on Sundays, May 16, 2010
This past Sunday was Music Sunday, one of my favorites of our church year. I had to miss this year. I didn't get to hear our great musicians and that saddened me. Fortunately, the beautiful music our choir and others shared can be found at this link.
Music Sundays remind me of the service our choir and musicians do for our church. Participation in choir is definitely one of the biggest gifts someone can make to our church. We'll never be able to count the number of hours that someone like Evelyn Payne has given to the church in her commitment to practice in the choir. Choir members practice on Thursdays and Sundays, in addition to any time they may practice on their own at home. All of this to provide us with an anthem, an offertory, a contemplative mood. Other musicians offer gifts from their years of expertise on their instrument. How long has Blake Taylor been playing the harmonica? When did Kevin Pease first bang on a set of drums? Count these hours, too, when adding up what goes into our worship service.
Some people contribute to our music programs in ways that are never heard. Cynthia Heinrich serves as the Choir's librarian. She makes sure that everyone gets a piece of music and everyone returns the one given to them. And the guys who run sound (Yes, it's all guys at this point. Any volunteers, ladies?) have another job that goes without much thanks. It's a job that only gets noticed if done poorly--which is probably why you may not have noticed this team's work before. They do great work.
And, of course, the music committee's work is unsung. Music is one thing in our worship service and in our budget that we all seem to have visceral feelings about. What sounds angelic to me may sound heathenish to you. The variety of song experienced today should remind us that when it comes to music, we all have something different that provokes our spirit. Our Music Director, Tom Sherwood, has made a commitment to encourage musical variety. If you don't like a song, just wait. Something you like (and something I may not like) will come along soon. Support those who give their gifts at church. Give thanks.
Go out into the world. . .
G.
Music Sundays remind me of the service our choir and musicians do for our church. Participation in choir is definitely one of the biggest gifts someone can make to our church. We'll never be able to count the number of hours that someone like Evelyn Payne has given to the church in her commitment to practice in the choir. Choir members practice on Thursdays and Sundays, in addition to any time they may practice on their own at home. All of this to provide us with an anthem, an offertory, a contemplative mood. Other musicians offer gifts from their years of expertise on their instrument. How long has Blake Taylor been playing the harmonica? When did Kevin Pease first bang on a set of drums? Count these hours, too, when adding up what goes into our worship service.
Some people contribute to our music programs in ways that are never heard. Cynthia Heinrich serves as the Choir's librarian. She makes sure that everyone gets a piece of music and everyone returns the one given to them. And the guys who run sound (Yes, it's all guys at this point. Any volunteers, ladies?) have another job that goes without much thanks. It's a job that only gets noticed if done poorly--which is probably why you may not have noticed this team's work before. They do great work.
And, of course, the music committee's work is unsung. Music is one thing in our worship service and in our budget that we all seem to have visceral feelings about. What sounds angelic to me may sound heathenish to you. The variety of song experienced today should remind us that when it comes to music, we all have something different that provokes our spirit. Our Music Director, Tom Sherwood, has made a commitment to encourage musical variety. If you don't like a song, just wait. Something you like (and something I may not like) will come along soon. Support those who give their gifts at church. Give thanks.
Go out into the world. . .
G.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
"So Much More" with Rev. Terry Sweetser, on Association Sunday, May 2, 2010
This week's sermon by Terry Sweetser gave us a lot to think about. So much more to think about. We are part of something bigger and this Sunday we focused on our part in the UUA. Here are some links that might help to connect to this week's service, the sermon and the social media that can link it all together.
Association Sunday is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to encourage support of special projects. The funds we offered today will be used to encourage and support ministers of color as they begin their careers in ministry with the UUA. There's still time to donate to give your support. Click here to donate.
Here's a sampling of other Association Sunday sermons that were heard across the country.
You can learn more about the UUA's Tapestry of Faith curricula that our young people use in their Religious Education classes. This project was supported by previous Association Sunday funds.
See a video of Rev. Sweetser's thoughts on generosity here.
Did you love the Phillip Glass anthem that Wen-Mi Chen played today? I don't always like Phillip Glass, but it seems that I always like what Wen-Mi plays. If you'd like to learn more about Phillip Glass' music, iTunes U offers a series of free presentations by knowledgeable educators, scholars, and performers provide aesthetic, historical, and social context on selected artists. Here, Pablo Ortiz discusses the work of Phillip Glass. And here you can purchase the Aleck Karis version of Metamorposis II.
What else connected with you? Feel free to share your thoughts here. Or you can also get fancy and post some links, pics, videos, and music.
Go out into the world. . .
Glenetta
Association Sunday is sponsored by the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) to encourage support of special projects. The funds we offered today will be used to encourage and support ministers of color as they begin their careers in ministry with the UUA. There's still time to donate to give your support. Click here to donate.
Here's a sampling of other Association Sunday sermons that were heard across the country.
You can learn more about the UUA's Tapestry of Faith curricula that our young people use in their Religious Education classes. This project was supported by previous Association Sunday funds.
See a video of Rev. Sweetser's thoughts on generosity here.
Did you love the Phillip Glass anthem that Wen-Mi Chen played today? I don't always like Phillip Glass, but it seems that I always like what Wen-Mi plays. If you'd like to learn more about Phillip Glass' music, iTunes U offers a series of free presentations by knowledgeable educators, scholars, and performers provide aesthetic, historical, and social context on selected artists. Here, Pablo Ortiz discusses the work of Phillip Glass. And here you can purchase the Aleck Karis version of Metamorposis II.
What else connected with you? Feel free to share your thoughts here. Or you can also get fancy and post some links, pics, videos, and music.
Go out into the world. . .
Glenetta
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