Unitarian Universalist Church--Oct 2022

 October 30, 2022                                                                                           

“Deeds above creeds!”

The service began with heavenly music from the baby grand. Reverend Karen Bush warmly welcomed us with a Happy Halloween and commended the children for their costumes. She acknowledged the nations of the Kaskaskia, Piankashaw, Potawatomi, Ojibwe, Chickasaw and others on whose land we sit.

A flame was lit as is done each week, reminder of our “highest aspirations” and inspiration to bring “gifts of love and service to the altar of humanity. May we know once again that we are not isolated beings but connected, in mystery and miracle, to the universe, to this community and to each other.”

Then were hymns, one called “We Are…”                                               For each child that’s born, a morning star rises and sings to the universe who we are. We are our grandmothers’ prayers and we are our grandfathers’ dreamings, we are the breath of our ancestors, we are the spirit of God.

Maybe 150 people sat in the lovely sanctuary, quite a few children dressed in their Halloween best, and everyone masked. A kids’ story included several speakers and a couple of puppets.  Then the little people were dismissed and the room became noticeably more quiet.

The minister had invited congregants to share their joys and sorrows, either by text or in writing, and at this time, these were read:  a shoulder recovering, a baby expected today, a relocation, etc. As the pastor lit a candle for requests that could not be spoken, a choir came forward for a hymn of meditation, directed by an attractive young adult. “We forgive ourselves and each other.”

Next was a bit of business including a report from the pastoral search committee. To help the congregation choose a new leader, the national UU organization is offering a workshop called “Beyond Categorical Thinking.” The personable Rev Karen Bush is serving as interim. Today’s offering goes 50% to the church and 50% to the Trauma and Resilience Initiative.

The choir came up again to sing in Hebrew this time, a passage from the Jewish Morality Laws.  “The world is sustained by these three things, by truth, by justice, and by peace.”

There was a reading from the 2005 Congregational Covenant:  “We promise to express our differences openly and respectfully, speaking directly with those involved, listening closely, offering real solutions in ways that are constructive and not judgmental, and accepting conflict as an inevitable aspect of healthy relationships.”

Today’s message was a team effort to teach gracious ways to handle conflict. Professional counselor David Wolf led, along with the pastor and a couple of actors who demonstrated his points with skits. Mr Wolf had some trouble following his notes but was ably assisted by Rev Karen.

After a closing hymn, the flame was extinguished. This had seemed very much like a church service. Indeed it is the Unitarian Universalist “Church,” having its Sunday morning service. But, hmm, something was missing. 🤔 Actually, someone. Ah, Jesus! I didn’t hear him invited or mentioned, but surely he was and is there.

Note 1:  Masks were required. On the way in I was invited to pick up a color-coded mask lanyard. Green means “I’m not contagious and not worried about catching anything.”  Red means either “Careful! I might be contagious” or “I’m high risk, so please keep your distance.”  Something like that.  Pretty clever. The congregation will decide in a week or two whether to continue the in-house mask mandate.

Note 2:  The website says this of Reverend Karen. "She believes deeply that there are many pathways to enlightenment and in the profound impact of mindfulness in every facet of human life." 

Note 3:  We didn’t hear the mighty pipe organ which decorates the front of the sanctuary.

Note 4:  This church backs human rights, environmental responsibility, immigration, LGBTQ inclusion, and Black Lives Matter (although the crowd was 98% white today). They encourage end-of-life planning and study groups, and the organizations Compassion and Choices and The Funeral Consumers Alliance of Champaign County. There's a walking group and a weekly outdoor meditation in the UI arboretum.