When Judith asked me to speak today on the subject of “religious leadership,” I thought “why me?” I don’t really think of myself as a religious leader. Even though I am a member of the board, and soon may be on the executive committee of the board, I feel like I’m helping with the business of running the church.

I’m a relatively new UU, having been a Lutheran for many years, followed by quite a few years of drifting without any religious connections. My therapist kept trying to get me to think for myself: what was important to me? What ideas fit? Heck, I didn’t know. I went on a Sierra Singles bus trip to Yosemite, and one of your former members was my roommate. I told her I was looking for a church, and she pulled a newsletter from here out of her suitcase. I was skeptical. And curious. I came the following month and your principles and your words spoke to me. You cared about the things I cared about. Judith expressed the concerns about the direction our country had taken, especially since 9/11, and especially with this horrible war, and that echoed my concerns. I was also drawn to the beautiful music. So I joined.

Whenever I join a new group, I’m compelled to participate. I don’t know whether it is my mother’s influence or if it’s the feeling that I always get that a place won’t run itself. I can’t just sit in the back and expect everybody else to do the work but not me. So I volunteered. Pilgrim’s Feast. Office volunteer. Helping with new member dinners. And then people started calling me with suggestions: Can you be in charge of the kitchen for Pilgrim’s Feast? Be in charge of a new member dinner? Be a Board member? Be in charge of Dining for $? (This is the scariest!) Do Ask Me? Be on the Executive Board? Did I really keep saying yes? Yep. I want to be an active part of this church. I want to get to know more of you. And I like being on the board during this time of transition as Judith retires – it will surely keep us on our toes.

OK, so maybe I am part of the religious leadership. And I’m feeling hopeful for our future. The UUA seems to have many helpful and seasoned practices for us to follow in this time of transition, and I am grateful for their religious leadership. For myself, I will do my best to follow the idea of Harold S. Geneen: “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.”

So I light the chalice this morning in honor of our leaders, their attitudes and actions, that they may continue to serve us well.