| A year ago, in January 2020, the UU Fellowship of Central Michigan held its annual congregational retreat and decided that the social justice focus for the year would be on voting rights and the environment. A year later, where do we stand? Do we continue those two priorities? With the election over, does voting rights still make sense? In today’s world, are there different priorities we didn’t see a year ago? My role as the Fellowship’s minister is not to tell the congregation how to organize your efforts, but to support you in doing so. My role is nourish the spirit of the congregation in its thirst for social justice; and to encourage the congregation to think and act from the place of moral and spiritual conviction: that every person is worthy; that all are interconnected; that we are obliged to serve justice with love. I think we are all catching our breath after the inauguration of a new president. We are taking stock of the events of January 6 and what it means to have armed militias as part of the fabric of American society; and to have a large minority of the country brainwashed into believing crazy conspiracy theories. This is the new normal that we are grappling with, even as we glimpse that we have a chance to control the COVID 19 outbreak. We are in a moment of taking stock, seeing the world as it is now—and deciding what we are called to do in response. Our social justice response to the world of 2021 will be rooted in love and in Unitarian Universalist principles. As the congregation discerns what that is, I will be ready to support and lead the efforts as best I can. PRAYER Spirit of Life and Love, Justice-loving God, hear this prayer. The world is different from what we thought we knew. We see rioters and militia in Lansing and in Washington; we see QAnon conspiracists in congress. The world is just as we have always known: people are decent and loving. People want to be safe and loved in their families and communities. God of love and justice, help us to see both truths: that people are goo; and that people are dangerous when deceived, fearful, and hurt. Spirit of Infinite Love, guide us into the work of greater justice with determination, compassion, and humility. Aho. Amen. Rev. Andrew Frantz |
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Rev. Andrew FrantzUUFCM Minister Office hours:
In-person and via Zoom: Tuesday 10-noon Wednesday 1-3 & 8-9pm Office Hours Zoom Link Outside of Office Hours, Drew is reachable at any time via text, phone, or email. Day off: Monday Contact for emergencies only minister@uufcm.org Phone/text: 440-935-0129 Pastoral Care Concerns
For support with life's challenges, please contact Drew during his office hours or make an appointment with him. For specific needs such as rides to medical appointments or meals for people recovering from illness or surgery, please contact the Arms Around team via Gisela Moffit at gbmoffit@gmail.com or 989-772-1602. Every effort will be made to lessen the burden on the individual or family who is dealing with a difficult circumstance. Archives
March 2023
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