Don't keep it a secret!
Today is Ash Wednesday in the Christian calendar, the beginning of Lent. I don't doubt that today you will see many people with the mark of ashes on their forehead. And you've probably been part of, or at least overheard, a conversation where someone is trying to decide what to give up for Lent. Someone may have even asked you what you are giving up for Lent. For those of us who don't think of ourselves as Christian and have negative associations with the trappings of Christianity, this can be an awkward moment. The flippant answer I used to give was that I was giving up Lent for Lent.
But it is clear to me that adopting some sort of discipline, some sort of practice, can help me to clarify what is important to me and where my faith lies.
I've decided to give up something during Lent, and I invite you to join me. I'm giving up keeping my faith life a secret. I've often wondered how my life would have been different if I had known about Unitarian Universalism earlier. So during Lent this year, I'm going make sure that I wear a chalice pin or some other UU symbol every day. Maybe it will be a conversation-starter. I don't want Unitarian Universalism or this congregation to be the best-kept secret in town! And when a conversation turns to values or beliefs or justice, I'm not going to hide how these are rooted in and informed by my Unitarian Universalist faith.
Those of you who are members of the congregation most likely received a pin when you were welcomed into membership by the congregation. Dig it out of the cup of loose change on your dresser and put it on! This may even feel like an act of bravery. As a teenaged Catholic, it sure felt like an act of bravery to walk around for a day with a smudged cross of ashes on my head. Surely I can wear an attractive little pin that symbolizes a faith tradition and religious community that I've grown to love.
If you can't find yours or you would like a pin, several nice ones are available through the UUA Bookstore. If that's not in your budget, get in touch with me and I'll help.
Blessings!
But it is clear to me that adopting some sort of discipline, some sort of practice, can help me to clarify what is important to me and where my faith lies.
I've decided to give up something during Lent, and I invite you to join me. I'm giving up keeping my faith life a secret. I've often wondered how my life would have been different if I had known about Unitarian Universalism earlier. So during Lent this year, I'm going make sure that I wear a chalice pin or some other UU symbol every day. Maybe it will be a conversation-starter. I don't want Unitarian Universalism or this congregation to be the best-kept secret in town! And when a conversation turns to values or beliefs or justice, I'm not going to hide how these are rooted in and informed by my Unitarian Universalist faith.
Those of you who are members of the congregation most likely received a pin when you were welcomed into membership by the congregation. Dig it out of the cup of loose change on your dresser and put it on! This may even feel like an act of bravery. As a teenaged Catholic, it sure felt like an act of bravery to walk around for a day with a smudged cross of ashes on my head. Surely I can wear an attractive little pin that symbolizes a faith tradition and religious community that I've grown to love.
If you can't find yours or you would like a pin, several nice ones are available through the UUA Bookstore. If that's not in your budget, get in touch with me and I'll help.
Blessings!
