Pete Seeger, who died last week, speaks to one of the tensions that exists in this congregation: the tension around "God" language. Here's a longer piece from Pete than what I mentioned in last Sunday's sermon:
The holiday season brings with it a jumble of emotions. That it happens during the time of year when the light grows less is significant. Maybe the holiday hubbub helps us be more open about both how difficult relations can be and how important it is to us to connect with others in supportive ways. This past Sunday, we reflected on the stories that we are grateful for. You may have thought that the Thanksgiving story of the Pilgrims and the so-called "Indians" getting together for a feast was conspicuous by its absence among the stories that we shared.
UU minister Peter Lee Scott years ago came up with a list of reasons to call the minister. That list has been adapted and added to by other ministers over the years. As it's different for UUFCM to have a minister around full-time, I thought it might be useful to share a version of Rev. Scott's list:
Thank you for the incredibly warm welcome you have extended to me!
This welcome has only gone to affirm the sense of you that I got from looking over your materials in the interim search process and from the interview – you are an incredibly friendly and active group! Full of passion and idealism and a faith that you are living out, making a real difference in your lives and in the life of the greater community. |
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