RE News Archive
Do you know our church covenant? Here's a hint: wesay it together in the service every Sunday.
Love is the doctrine of this church.
The quest of truth is its sacrament
And service is its prayer.
To dwell together in peace;
To seek knowledge in freedom;
To serve humankind in fellowship;
Thus do we covenant with each other.
Unitarian Universalist congregations are covenantalcommunities, directly descended from Puritans in earlyAmerica, who created a form of governance in theirchurches known as congregational polity, which we UUsstill practice today. What binds us together is not a particular profession of faith or creed, nor fealty to anyhigher authority than the members of our own community. Instead, what unites us is our covenant: all whoagree to "walk together" in support of this covenant maybecome members of our church.
The Religious Exploration Committee, Adult Programs Committee, and I are deep in planning for nextyear's program, and I am delighted to be able to share alittle bit about what's to come. As part of our movementtoward offering a truly lifespan RE program, our 2011-2012 church year will include a congregation-wide focuson our covenant, with monthly themes drawn from eachline of it: Love, Truth, Service, Peace, Freedom, Fellowship, and Covenant. These themes will show up in different ways, including chalice lightings, readings, and sermons. We'll offer at least one Adult RE workshop or coursethat relates to each month's theme and will have specialweekly opening words in all our classes for children andyouth. We're creating a brand new 2nd and 3rd grade classthat will explore these themes as the central part of theprogram, with sessions that engage different styles oflearning, including drama, service projects, artwork, presentations from special visitors, cooking, building, andother hands-on modes of exploration. And several timesduring the year we'll celebrate our covenantal themesthrough intergenerational worship and social events.
People who come to our church, no matter what ageor stage of life they are in, are looking for many of thesame things: a sense of community and opportunities forlearning more about Unitarian Universalism as well asother varieties of religious faith, inspiration to grow personally as well as spiritually, and ways to live our valuesthrough acts of service to the church community and tothe world. A common thread runs through all that we do- when we meet in groups separated by age or interestas well as when we gather as one community. I'm soexcited to strengthen those common threads over thenext year, and I invite all in our congregation to walktogether in deepening our connection to the covenantthat binds us together as one family of faith as UUCCSM.
- Catherine Farmer Loya
A Useful Toolkit for Meditation
A useful toolkit for meditationThis class will start on Wednesday, April 20, at 7:30p.m. in the cottage. The last class is on Wednesday, June8. It provides a toolkit of eight to ten meditations fromseveral spiritual traditions. Present-time and sit-downversions will be taught and both brands of meditation(mindfulness and inquiry) will be presented. The class isexperiential and learner-centered and not lecture andteacher-centered. We discuss each meditation, do it, anduse it as homework. Printed descriptions of all meditations are given to participants.
This is Bill Blake's fifth meditation class. It differsfrom the others in that the first five weeks will focus on"growing up" and the last three on "waking up." Growingup relates mainly to increased conscious awareness, i.e.,more mindfulness or presence with our thoughts, feelings, and environment. Growing up never ends. Wakingup points toward spiritual awakening or enlightenment:knowing what we are. The two approaches are distinctyet interconnected. Each builds on the other.
These meditations are simple and user-friendly.Some individuals relate more to particular meditationsthan others because each of us has distinct predispositions. When a participant finishes this class, he or shewill have a "toolbox" of meditations benefiting relationships, self-confidence, and career. Often a participantchooses to practice one meditation for several monthsand then releases it for a few months or years - andthen vigorously re-practices it.
Newcomers to meditation are 100% welcome.Steady attendance and dedication to homework willamplify mindfulness and groom you for awakening.
- Bill Blake
Adult RE: UU Controversies -- Communism
In April the UU Controversies discussion will beabout the Unitarian relationship to Communism, a subject that caused fierce division within Unitarianism.National Unitarian leaders Noel Field and StephenFritchman were fired from their Unitarian jobs becauseof their Communist activities. In the 1950s controversyover the State of California requiring churches to sign ananti-Communist loyalty oath contributed to a split in ourown congregation. We will discuss the sharp Unitariandebate accompanying these events. A brief backgroundpaper is available at https://sites.google.com/site/uusmcontroversies/home. Thediscussion will be at Tom and Bronwen's house.
- Tom Hamilton
As I write this column, I am preparing to load up agiant van with seven of our UUCCSM high schoolyouth, YRUU advisors Liza Cranis and GretchenGoetz, and many pieces of luggage and bedding to driveto San Francisco to participate in a "street retreat" withthe Faithful Fools Street Ministry. Created in 1998 by aUU Minister and Franciscan nun, the Faithful Fools is acharitable and educational organization whose mission isto be present with and to address the existence of povertyin the midst of material wealth. Each month they host a"street retreat" when members of the public are invitedto join them in a ministry of presence in the heart of SanFrancisco's Tenderloin.
This is our first experience with the Fools, though weare joining youth from Neighborhood Church in Pasadenawho have participated for several years already. I am gladto be joining a group of repeat-retreaters, though even soI head out with a great deal of excitement and a little bit oftrepidation. What can I expect from the retreat on Saturday?
The instructions are intentionally vague: the truth isthat there are no instructions, nothing that requires doing.Participants are asked to be present. We are told to allowourselves to be led and have the experience we were meantto have. We are encouraged to listen and be aware of ourown judgments. We are not given tasks or brochures orfood to hand out. The most instruction we are given is asuggestion to stand in a food line and eat a free meal at oneof the soup kitchens serving hot lunches.
Have you heard the old adage that the role of religionis to "comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable"? OnSaturday morning, before heading out into the Tenderloin,we'll encourage our youth to push themselves, to move beyond their expectations and limitations. Certainly, thoseof us going on the street retreat
From Our DRE
This is an exciting time of year in the RE department, as the RE Committee and I launch into an assessment of our current programs and do a lot of dreamingand asking around and planning for what next year'sprogram will look like. September may feel far awaynow, but it will be here before we know it. Because ofthis, I've been thinking a lot lately about what RE is. ButI wonder what we might learn about RE if we also thinkabout where it happens.
The easy response is that religious education happens on Sunday morning in our classrooms. It happenswhen we gather together in groups to learn about ourfaith and its history and about the world's religions, andit happens when we ask our young people to think forthemselves and to find meaning in the world and intheir lives. It happens when we lead our kids in creatingcaring communities right there in their classrooms, andit happens on Social Justice Sundays when we worktogether to make the world a better place.
That's not the only place where religious educationhappens, though. Religious education includes everything we do at church. Religious educator and authorMaria Harris proposed that there are three kinds of curricula: explicit curricula (what we intentionally teach),implicit curricula (what is learned from the patterns andstructures that surround the explicit curricula), and nullcurricula (what is learned from the things we don't seebecause they are missing). Learning doesn't stop whenclass is over. Our young people are learning about beingUU and about our community when they come toForbes Hall and see how the adults interact at coffeehour, and when an adult who isn't their RE teachergreets them by name, or doesn't. They learn something,too, by whether they feel known and loved when they areat church. Don't we all?
But is that the end of the story? Does religious education stop when we leave the church grounds? Is onehour a week (assuming perfect attendance) enough togive our young people a grounding in what it means tobe UU, to teach them to think for themselves, respect allpeople, and take action to make the world a betterplace? Of course not. Parents, you are your children's primary religious educators. They watch what you say andwhat you do. How are you living your own faith? Whatare you doing at home to help your kids develop and livetheir own UU identity and values? What more could wedo to support you in this role? Remember, friends, thatours is not just a Sunday religion. In the words of Unitarian religious educator Sophia Lyon Fahs, "Life becomesreligious whenever we make it so."
- Catherine Farmer Loya
UU Pals is coming!
Q: What is UU Pals?
A: UU Pals is a beloved UUCCSM program that encourages communication between the generations. Manytimes it has been the foundation of lasting friendships. Itis a great way for children, youth, and adults of our community to learn more about one another in a wonderfully fun way!
Q: How does UU Pals work?
A: Adults, children and teens sign up for UU Pals in February. Then, on Sundays during the month of March, theUU Pals will exchange notes, small handmade items, orthoughtful tokens of friendship. Each child or youth ispaired with an adult and they exchange informationabout themselves by writing notes to one another. Eachnote contains clues about who they are-their likes anddislikes, personal gifts, and talents or hobbies, or "list offavorites." We have a special "double-blind" Pal systemfor matching younger and older pals. One young personand one adult will be paired with each other, and thepair will be assigned the name of a famous UU to use.For example, one young person will be known as "RalphWaldo Emerson Jr." and will have "Ralph Waldo EmersonSr." as an adult Pal. Make sense?
Q: How do I sign up?
A: Signups will begin on February 13 after each serviceand last through the end of February. After signupsclose, each participant will receive specific informationabout the exchange dates, UU Pals Reveal Party, andhelpful hints for giving clues to your Pal.
Q: What else do I need to know?
A: If you have to miss a Sunday or two, don't let that stopyou from signing up-you can leave items with us aheadof time and we'll make sure they get in your pal's bag onSunday. And mark your calendars now for April 1, from 6to 8 p.m., for our April Fools' Day UU Pals costume party,when all identities will be revealed! So, whether you're akid, a youth or a grown-up, don't miss out on this greatopportunity to get to know more about someone new atUUCCSM. For more information, contact CatherineFarmer Loya at the church office.
Girl Scout Cookies are Coming Soon!
Watch theOrder of Service for moreinformation.
From Our DRE
Personal and spiritualgrowth are among the primaryreasons people of allages join religious communities, and I am very excitedabout the future of our congregation's educations ministryto people of all ages. In my seven years as Directorof Religious Education here at UUCCSM, I havenever seen a more passionate and visionary group ofpeople than those who emerged during the course of theRE Covenanting process undertaken on December 4.The members of the RE Committee, along with representativesfrom the board, the Adult Programs Committee,and the RE teachers, as well as the Rev. RebeccaBenefiel Bijur and me, spent a full day together discussingour hopes and dreams for Lifespan RE atUUCCSM. We began the process of crafting a covenantbetween me and the congregation about how we willwork together to achieve our common vision for thefuture. Out of that process emerged a strong commitmentto the goal of Lifespan RE as well as the seeds ofa deep assessment of our current program's structurewith regard to developmental goals for all participants.
My own goal for Lifespan RE at UUCCSM is toprovide programs for people of all ages that inspireeach person to develop a firm ground of belief, rootedin our Unitarian Universalist principles, from whichthey can stretch and grow, question and explore.Together as one religious community of all ages, wecan learn love of one another and ourselves, search fortruth with an open mind, and work to make the world abetter place. This, to me, is what UU faith developmentis really all about.
"Faith" is another of those tricky words, I know.Here's what I mean when I use it: our faith is that inwhich we place our trust. Thus, "having faith" meanstrusting that who we are and what we choose to do matters.A person of faith is one who makes a commitmentto living in a way that reflects that trust. There is nospecific belief or dogma that one must hold in order tobe a person of faith; rather, faith is an act of living withintegrity and purpose. More narrowly, in Unitarian Universalism"faith development" is the development of away of life informed by our UU principles and valuesand committed to living them out in the world.
What could we be offering to better support you indeepening your own UU faith? What would a trulyLifespan RE program look like? We'll continue askingthese questions as we begin the important work of planningfor the future of religious exploration atUUCCSM. Change - another word for development- is in the air, and I can't wait to see where we will gofrom here.
- Catherine Farmer Loya
Neighboring Faiths Field Trip
Teachers Tom Kafka and Laura Carlson-Weiner tookthe Neighboring Faiths class on a field trip to St.Anne’s Catholic Church on Colorado Avenue. The classSis studying Catholicism as part of their study of variousChristian faiths. The class attended the First Sunday ofAdvent Mass celebration with the St. Anne’s congregation.Father Arturo and the whole congregation werevery welcoming. Teri Bond, our trip coordinator, tookthe photo.
Winter Pageant
Kris Langabeer wrangled cows, doves, dogs, donkeyss, mice, grown-ups and other friendly beasts for another joyful winter pageant.
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From Our DRE
What is the Religious Explorationprogramall about,anyway?We're nowhalfway through our church year;it's almost time for us to start planningfor the next one, and the RECouncil and I have some big questions for you.
Over the past couple of years we've been adjustingour programs and trying new things. I'm proud of theprogramwe're offering.We're asking the "big questions"-not because we think things aren't going well. Theyare. But it's important that we stay in touch with thewhole congregation's desires and dreams for our programs,and so we're coming to you to start the conversation.This is especially important as our congregationbegins to assess its overall identity and direction as partof our preparation for settling a newminister over thenext couple of years.
This spring we will embark on an RE visioningprocess that will help us determine, as a whole congregation,what our priorities and goals are for the childrenand youth of our UUCCSMfamily. Thismonth, on bothJanuary 11 and 25, there will be a short "REVisioning"survey in the order of service which we hope allmembersof our church will take the time to fill out.Whetheror not you're a parent or volunteer in the RE program,we need to hear fromyou.What are themost importantelements of our educationalministry to the youngestmembers of our community?Members of the RE Councilwill be on hand during coffee hour to take completedsurveys and talk with you about your responses.
Next, the RE Council and I invite you to join us onthe evening of Sunday, February 22, for a visioningmeeting for RE at UUCCSM.We'll provide dinner andchildcare if you'll show up to help us determine thefuture direction of our program. And then onMarch 22we'll share the results of our visioning with the wholecongregation at a Town Hallmeeting following the 11a.m. service.
What does REmean?
RE is where we create a community for our childrento explore our seven UU principles.
RE is a supportive, loving setting where children'sauthentic selves are nurtured and celebrated.RE is a community where our children can be safeand have fun.
RE is_______________________.
What does REmean to you?
Share your vision this spring, and help us turn themeaning into action.
- Catherine Farmer Loya
From Our DRE
Can you believe that it's December already? The holidayseason is almost upon us. On the 21st we'll becelebrating twelve different winter holidays fromreligious traditions around the world with our "TwelveDays of Winter" pageant. While each of these holidayshas special rituals and stories, you'll find that they havemany similarities. All celebrate, in their own ways, thereturn of light and hope in the dead of winter, and allbring families and communities together to rememberand celebrate the things that are truly important.
We are a family, we members and friends ofUUCCSM, and this month is a time for rememberingthat bond. I'll say it again: we are a family of faith, folks,and even though we don't always agree, even thoughthere might be one person who just rubs you the wrongway in every encounter (like in every family, right?), wemust treat every church member who walks through ourdoors as a member of the family, and every visitor as aguest in our own home.
In my own family, sometimes we hurt one another,and sometimes we say the wrong things in frustration orconfusion or anger. But we also know that there's somethingthat's more important than any argument or hurtfeelings - that no matter what we do or say or think,we'll always be family, and we owe it to one another tolook beyond our differences and work them out. Even ifwe think the other person started it. Even if we thinkwe're more right, more logical, more deserving. Thisview is very important in a family that includes bothUUs and Southern Baptists.
The same holds for us at UUCCSM. May we all, aswe make our way through December, be mindful of thetrue spirit of the season: celebrating life and living, lightand laughter, as one family. Happy holidays.
- Catherine Farmer Loya
Holiday Cookie Bake
All are invited to the Holiday Cookie Bake on Saturday,December 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Forbes Hall. Bringan uncooked batch of cookies and we'll bake and decoratecookies together - and sample a few. Then we'llpack up our cookies to provide a little extra holidaycheer for families in need this winter. Bring cookie cutters,cookie sheets, rolling pins, aprons, and your batchof cookie dough. Bring the whole family. Please RSVP, sowe know how many people to expect, to Catherine
Winter Pageant Update
Winter pageant updateThe "Friendly Beasts," preschoolers through 5thgraders, will continue their rehearsals of "The FriendlyBeasts Song" for the holiday pageant, which occursDecember 21 at both services.Below is the rehearsal schedule:
Dec. 6, 7, and 14 - Preschoolers and K-5 during RE
Dec. 20 - Saturday dress rehearsal in sanctuary(9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.)
Dec. 21 - Pageant (both services; please arrive at8:15 a.m.)
We realize that the pageant day is a long one for thechildren, so please contact me if you can help by:
From Our DRE
This year I'm trying somethingnew with my weekly"RE UUpdates" e-mail forparents and volunteers: I'mincluding a section called "UU Eve ryday." Each week Ishare a short reflection or reading for families to saytogether at mealtimes or bedtime, as a special chalicelighting, or perhaps in the morning before headingout to work and school. And there are also severalsuggested activities or rituals that families can dotogether to help reinforce UU values in their eve rydaylives.
I made this addition to the weekly e-mail becauseI've been thinking quite a lot lately about when ReligiousEducation happens. The easy answer is that ithappens on Sunday morning in our classrooms. Ithappens when we gather our children and youthtogether in groups to learn about Unitarian Universalismand what its history and values can tell us abouthow to live good lives. It happens when we explore theworld's faith traditions as well as our own. It happenswhen we ask our kids to think for themselves in figuringout how to find meaning in the world and in theirlives. It happens when we lead our kids in creatingcaring communities right there in their classrooms,and it happens on Social Justice Sundays when wework together to make the world a better place.
But does Religious Education stop when we leavethe church grounds? Is four hours per month, assumingperfect attendance, enough to give our kids andyouth a grounding in what it means to be UU? Is itenough time to teach them to think for themselves, torespect all people, and to take action to make theworld a better place? Of course not! Parents, you arethe primary religious educators in your children'slives. They watch what you say and what you do -how are you living your own UU values? How are youshowing your children that being UU matters? Whatare the things that you're doing already to reinforcewhat we do in RE classes on Sunday mornings? Whatmore could you do? And what more can we do to supportyou in this role? Remember, friends, that ours isnot just a Sunday religion. And we are all religiouseducators.
- Catherine Farmer Loya
YRUU Goes to Boston
If you asked about the trip last July to Boston, everyone will agree - It was The Perfect Trip.We literally had nomishaps, wonderful weather and fabulous food. Thanks to the generous support of the congregation, a lot offundraising, and help from the parents and folks in the office, eleven teens and eight adults were able to go toBoston for an unforgettable tour. The Rev. Judith Meyer planned a beautifully balanced itinerary.Here are somefavorite memories:
Elizabeth Saldo - The Boston trip was amemorable and exciting experience. I hadno idea so much Unitarian history waslocated in the old city. I loved walking onthe cobblestone streets and walkingthrough the Boston Common. The foodand city were magnificent. I am so lucky tohave been a part of our wonderful trip withJudith Meyer.
Jordan Paddock - I really enjoyed learningabout how the UUA works and how it allstarted. I also loved stopping at Fenway andexperiencing watching a live game at a sportsbar in Boston.
Melanie Sharp - We were following theBlack Heritage Trail and saw keys in the lockof the door of one of the landmark houses.We rang thebell, and the owner was delighted when we told herabout her keys and she invited us in! She kept the housebasically as it was since the 1770s, and in the sub-basementshe had the remnants of the Underground Railroad,which went from one house down the street to thenext until it got to where the river had been. She was adelightful woman, and we loved getting to see her historichouse.
Rachael Dodd - I remember thecrazy, " haunted" wallpaper in myroom at the P&E plus Adam's and Jordan'smagazine clippings decoratingtheir room.Adam Reyes - I enjoyed our own Harvardtour and visiting the library to viewold UU documents. It was fun learningabout our UU history there.
Bronwen Jones - For me, getting toknow the teens was great. Also Icouldn't believe how high the pulpitswere. After living in Boston as a non-UU, it was great learning about thecity's wonderful UU history.
Rachael Moore - I will alwaysremember 4th of July on the Promenadewith the Boston Pops (got meout of Band Camp) and Little Italywith the most amazing food and thebest lasagna ever.
Catherine Farmer Loya - I lovedgoing to the Museum of Fine Arts withAlyssa, Colette, and Haley. It was sonice to just hang out in a small group andshare their excitement.
Karen Patch - I got a kick watching theteens get to know Judith, having fun withher and discovering she is very gullible.They started asking her questions aboutbeing a hippie in the 60s (didn't get muchinfo from her), but great fun in theprocess.
Kathy Cook - So much history everywhereplus seeing the UUA offices wasinteresting. Everything was well plannedand there was time to relax, too. There wasplenty of time to get to know the teens andJudith better.
Sarah Gaillot - The trolleytour of the city was myhighlight along with theSunday church service atArlington Street Churc h(with real Tiffany windows).
Linda Van Ligten - I feltthe trip was very thoughtfullyplanned, and even letthe teens sleep in. Very balancedwith time to hang out mixed with sightseeing.The weather was great and wegot to do a lot of walking.T h e re was a mixture ofdoing things in smallgroups and all together.
Judith Meyer - I think thecongregation should knowthat the public informationperson who gave us the UUAtour found our group to be"really engaged and wellinformedabout UU" andthat one Pickett and EliotHouse staff member told methat ours was the bestbehaved youth group that hadever stayed there. Our youthmade a wonderful impression onour UUA hosts and that made mefeel very proud. Thank you toeveryone who supported us. Youmade something special happen.We appreciate it so much.
- Karen Patch
The Friendly Beasts are Coming
Once again, our preschool through elementarychildren will sing "The Friendly Beasts" song atour holiday pageant on Sunday, December 21,at both services.
As in years past, all involved children will sing thefirst and last verses of the song. Small groups of childrenwill sing the middle five verses dressed in a costumeappropriate to the animal speaking in that verse(brown donkey, red and white cow, dog, dove, andmouse). The children pick which animal they want tobe, but generally, the preschoolers sing the mice verse.Elizabeth Wheat will be organizing costume-makingfor our Beasts this year (thank you, Elizabeth). Olderkids who don't want to dress as an animal but do wantto sing are welcome to be shepherds.
Religious Exploration teachers, please note: I willlead Sunday rehearsals (about 10 minutes long) thatoccur in the RE classrooms during both services. Belowis the rehearsal schedule, including a dress rehearsalSaturday morning, December 20:
November 9 - Preschoolers: at beginning of RE class
November 16 - Preschoolers
This month in our RE classes we will offer a specialin-class curriculum for all age levels called"Lessons of Loss."
All of us experience loss throughout our lifetimes.Sometimes these losses are relatively minor - at age 5,we must leave the familiarity of our home, preschool, orday-care center to start kindergarten. Sometimes theselosses are major - we lose our home, our job, ourspouse, our child. Despite its universality, most of us shyaway from openly acknowledging loss when it occurs,and then deny the intense and unsettling emotions thatfrequently accompany loss. This tendency is heightenedwhen the loss involves a death. Because we have notdeveloped a common language of loss, and are not comfortablesharing our feelings with others for fear that wewill lose control, we often end up feeling isolated orabandoned. This isolation further intensifies theanguish and pain of grief. We hope to help our childrendevelop better strategies for facing life's challenges.Because our response to loss often is affected by our theologicalbeliefs, the RE program within our church communityis a natural place to begin these conversations.
This life-span curriculum offers our congregationthe chance to engage members of all ages in this importantdiscussion. When an entire community acknowledgesthe inevitability of loss, indicates its willingness tobear the resulting pain, and grants its members permissionto experience loss in all its intensity, it can help tominimize the fear and debilitating isolation that are thefrequent companions to loss and grief.
Parents, I hope very much that your family will makea special effort to attend this month, so that your childrencan participate fully in this special program. Andyou are especially encouraged, as are all adult membersof our congregation, to take part in the adult componentof the program. If you have questions or concerns aboutthe curriculum I encourage you to contact me; I amhappy to discuss its contents and philosophy with you.
We have so much to gain from engaging in this programtogether. After all, this is why many of us are herein this congregation; to offer and receive support is oneof the fundamental reasons that we join religious communities.In offering to one another our imperfect butsincere attempts to face our mortality and that of thosewe love, we are keeping a pledge that we implicitlymade, each and every one of us, when we became UnitarianUniversalists. It is no more than you deserve. Andit certainly is no more than our children deserve.
- Catherine Farmer Loya
From Our DRE
The first day of RE for the 2008
From Our DRE
Families, and how to supportand nurture them, have beenon my mind a great dealrecently, not least because later this month my partner,Eric, and I will be heading off to San Franciscowith parents and siblings in tow to solemnize ourchoice to become family to one another. But my ruminationsabout "family" took hold earlier this spring,inspired in large part by the experience of spending aweek with my family in Georgia in April when mygrandmother died. The circle of family around her inthe days leading up to her passing, and the way thatcircle tightened as we held one another up throughthose first days of our loss, were profoundly sacred tome, in a way I had not experienced before.
What would our church look like if we truly treatedour community as an extension of our family? Howwould we support one another through change andtransition, and what would we offer to one another incelebration in times of joy and to shore one another upthrough loss and grief? What programs would we offer?How would we welcome newcomers? Where wouldthe children be? The young adults? The parents? Thesingles? The seniors?
Diana Garland, in her book "Family Ministry,"defines family as "the organization of relationshipsthat endure over time and contexts through whichpersons attempt to meet their needs for belonging andattachment, and to share life purposes, help andresources." This definition recognizes the validity offamilies of origin as well as families of choice. It also isbroad enough to allow us to recognize the ways inwhich our church community functions as a family,and to think about where that takes us.
Here at UUCCSM, we are already doing manythings very, ve ry well. Our congregation is healthy andvibrant, and is poised to move confidently into a newphase of our life together. But take a few moments todream with me: what more could we be doing tostrengthen our bonds to one another as a family offaith?
- Catherine Farmer