I am so surprised with myself. I'm enjoying this church experience. The UU church has pretty much everything I believe to be good about going to church, without all the dogma. I'm so impressed.
I took my kids to church this Sunday. It was my second time there. The sermon was about "too much of a good thing", and covered all of the "virtues" and how even too much virtue can turn deadly. Even moderation. All things in moderation, even moderation. I was impressed with the thoughtfulness of the sermon, as well as the many places from which the reverend pulled his material; the bible, history, Buddhism, current events, Judiasm, philosophy, and personal anecdotes. I think my hubby might even have liked to have been there.
Anyone been to a UU church? What's your take on it?
5 comments:
I was a UU back in Oklahoma City in the early-to-mid 1980's. Many fond memories of that church and those days.
Tammy, I know we didn't talk about this at the party.
I went to the UU church with a friend yesterday. I hadn't been to a church other than for a wedding or funeral for 9 years, and that was the same UU church.
I went for community, because I know it is there. I thought it was interesting that the guest speaker talked about needing to offer whatever it is you seek. Really interesting, because the piece I took from Enki that means the most to me is the concept that all human beings are compassionate, vital, and wise, whether they have uncovered it in themselves or not. It is from Shambhala, which I had never explored before finding Enki. For some time now, a personal mantra of mine has ended with "... I offer compassion (vitality, wisdom), I seek compassion (vitality, wisdom), I receive compassion (vitality, wisdom)." To receive you must offer and seek.
I love how certain human concepts resonate with me at different times. Many years ago my lesson was to learn to bend and not break, and I encountered it many places. Now it is a continuation of the intellectual realization that one must complete the circle, offering as well as receiving.
The boys want to go next week (it helps that we know several families that attend).
I think when I went before I wasn't ready to let my guard down and accept people as they are; it was more about me and seeking something that would validate my experience. This time I went more humbly.
What I have always liked about the UU church is the way it embraces diversity and encourages exploration, and how it acknowledges that humanists explore their existence just as do people of faith. I like the strong social justice component and the focus on reaching out to the greater community.
There was something nourishing about being in community and singing "We Shall Overcome" while one by one we spontaneously taking each others hands. We sang about the power of peace and love to overcome hatred and fear. It was groovy.
What do you all think of this U*U "church" experience?
I wish we had a UU church near us. We're 100 miles from anything. The closest thing we have to inclusive church is the local Methodists and I've been involved in the Methodist church in years gone by and this one is much more of a moderate church than a liberal one. Ah well, solitary I shall be.
Speaking of sitting, have you read Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. I bet you'd like it. Also an old dear friend of mine wrote a book called Buddha Mom. I'm embarrassed to say I haven't yet finished reading the end result (although I've read multiple versions when she was working her way through writing it) but I'm sure you'd enjoy it as well.
Laume, Buddha Mom was one of the first books I read on Buddhism that wasn't a book about what the Buddhist 8-fold path and meditation are. I loved it. You have good friends :)
I'll check out that other book. Thanks for the recommendation.
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