"Images of UUCCSM"

I had been here before last spring: July 1995 and December 1996, with good feelings. Also, I knew Judith Meyer and had met Ernie & Maggie Pipes. I had a good series of meetings with the Search Committee.

What did I discover upon arriving?

First, regarding Sunday services, I felt the liturgy was a little bumpy & maybe even a little stiff. Good liturgy needs to provide comfort while also letting NEW light through. I also noticed some resistance to traditional theological language, the whole “God issue”. How is it that “god” became a problematic issue in some of our Unitarian Universalist churches?

Late 19th century there were two interpretations of evolution:

1. Random: people are a fluke
2. Henri Bergson: vitalism; evolution is not directionless, but controlled by a creative life force: elan vital, which seeks ever higher expressions of complexity & competence.

Continued developments: Human Potential Movement; Humanistic Psychology

Such a view does not necessarily presuppose a “Prime Mover”. In other words: we can talk about religious and mystical ideas without abandoning science or empiricism and we can talk about religious and mystical ideas without having to believe in God, just like Zen Buddhists.

There’s another reason our younger ministers are using traditional religious language more than their predecessors of twenty and forty years ago: Our congregations are more of a mixed bag theologically than we used to be.
Post 1985: we’re a pluralistic faith. There are lots of ways to be a Unitarian Universalist.

I found Sunday services here when I arrived to be kind of formal (with the exception of Louis Durra). And I found the whole congregation to still be mildly depressed about Judith’s leaving.

Thus, I tried to articulate an Abundance mentality (church is one of those synergistic things: the more you put into it…the more you’ll get out of it. Try it and see!). And I did my best to help you remember that your best days are ahead, if you want them to be!

One more convention within Ministry in Our Tradition: Freedom of the Pulpit. I changed the Order of Service a little. I tried to do challenging sermons; several on ministry. This is complemented by Freedom of the Pew. In the dialogue between a Unitarian Universalist Minister & the gathered congregation you don’t have to agree!

Also: your ideas are welcome:

- Hilary Garland’s challenge to preach on Zen
- Ron Crane’s encouragement to preach on the many died that we might enjoy the freedom of choosing our own religious leaders.

Another image of UUCCSM: BYOT (Building Your Own Theology). That was a great experience: a real community builder. As UUs we believe in “Life Span Religious Education.”

I have been changed by my encounters with each one of you. But rather that pick some out and risk hurting the feelings of someone else I didn’t mention, let me share how I was affected by the four members whose memorial services I conducted and what I learned from four amazing UUs among you.

- Jan Folick (radical new beginnings)
- Peggy Butler (theology of heart)
- Fran Hotchkiss (a professional woman with confidence, creative imagination & entrepreneurial drive)
- Rachford Harris (investor)

So Jan Folick, Peggy Butler, Fran Hotchkiss, and Rachford Harris: four more images of UUCCSM that touched me very deeply.

I also loved going to De Benneville Pines with many of you last weekend – it was a terrific experience

The unusual play of events that led to my coming to Southern California the year my friend Paul Sawyer suddenly contracted cancer and died. None of this has escaped me. It’s amazing: the unpredictable, uncertain influences that lead to so many decisions in life. Fourteen months ago Santa Monica was a last minute selection for me. Meanwhile, Paul had been after me for years to come to SoCal – “No way!” I repeatedly said.

Then, almost on a whim, I ended up coming…for what turned out to be the last year of his life. Amazing! In that spirit I want to make one final—whimsical but nevertheless serious—proposal for congregational consideration.

I think UUCCSM member S.J. Guidotti was on to something last year when he proposed naming something here after late member Rod Serling. But he was all wrong about the Cottage. Forget about the Cottage! It’s the beautiful area in between the buildings that should be dedicated as the “Serling Courtyard”, a designation (I’m assuming) that no one would probably use much, preferring the more magical “Twilight Zone”.

As in, please join me following services for a light luncheon and cake honoring our wonderful year together…in the Twilight Zone.

Once again: thank you. Amen. Namaste.