Minister’s Column

“The dream of one world is our North Star,
the light we follow no matter where we are,
the dream of justice liberty and peace for all.
If we only keep that star in view,
we know for sure our course is true.”
​
These words are an excerpt from the choral piece sung by the choir last Sunday. Composer
David Wolfson took the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism and crafted choral music
with rhyming lyrics for each. In this case, the star metaphor connects to the 6th principle (The
goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all). As a singer, this line was my
favorite one musically, with a graceful soaring melody. As a minister, I appreciate how this
line—and the whole seven-part composition—reinterprets the seven principles in a fresh way
that illuminates their core meaning.

It was delightful to be part of the choir singing this music. It was wonderful to see Ricky
Courlander, UUFCM member and fellow tenor, connect with her son David Wolfson—the gifted
composer of this music—as he joined us on Zoom for the worship service. Afterwards he said
that it was a joyful experience for him as an artist to see that his work is meaningful to the
people for whom he composed it.

In the same Sunday worship service, we held a ceremony to honor and welcome eight new
people into the congregation. They each signed the book of membership, indicating that they
are committing to the ideals of this religious community: that we will see one another in our
fullness; that we will dare to bring all of our gifts and beauty (along with our woundedness) to
this congregation; and that we will seek to repair with love any time that we harm one another.

In the fellowship hall before the worship service, a group of us including the new members had
a moment to check in—going around the room and giving everyone a chance to say how they
are doing today. Like any time that we share authentically with one another, some of us
expressed joy; others were having a bad day or a tough week. Just as when we share joys and
sorrows in our worship services, those feeling joy and right next to those feeling sorrow. This is
true in our community whenever we gather. May we witness one another in our fullness as we
journey together. In the words of David Wolfson,

“Wherever our journeys take us, wherever we might roam,
if we keep our eyes on that Northern Star, we may all, at last, come home.”

PRAYER:
May the deep joy of sharing special music bless this congregation. May the message and beauty
of David Wolfson’s music bless all who hear it.

May the new members of UUFCM – David Allan, Kurt Roeder, Nancy Roeder, Daria Kingman,
Jane Douglas , Phoenix Thompson, Amy Voege, and Darlene Ritchie – find love and community
and spiritual growth here among us.

Blessed be.

Rev. Andrew Frantz