Holy week, memories of a Unitarian childhood, and more

Holy week

In the midst of Holy Week, Unitarian Universalists from different theological perspectives engage with Christian ritual and story.

Mama G at "Mom to the Left" observes Palm Sunday as a Unitarian Universalist Christian:

This morning I went along as co-teacher on a field trip with our 5th/6th grade RE class to an outdoor retreat center at a Catholic church so that we could walk the Stations of the Cross. . . We took 8 of our young people and 6 adults. Of course, we framed it all in our UU perspective, but I have to say it is one of the few experiences that I've had at the UU church which really struck me to the core. (March 16, 2008)

Terri Pahucki at "UUIntersections" considers Jesus's life from a non-Christian perspective:

Maybe there is even a place for a "non-believing" UU like me in the story of Christ. Jesus was, after all, condemned for no other crime than heresy! Maybe, then, there is a place in the Christian story for one who does not share in traditional Christian beliefs. Maybe there is a place for humanists, for pantheists, and maybe even for atheists? While I do not feel fully comfortable in Christian communities, I think that I may be able to find my own place within the Christian story. (March 16, 2008)

For reflections on Palm Sunday, visit the Rev. Andrew Brown at "CAUTE," the Rev. Kit Ketcham at "Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Road Show," and the Rev. Victoria Weinstein at "Peacebang."

Critiquing a classic

A newcomer to Unitarian Universalism, embroiderama of "Embroidering the Truth," critiques the Unitarian Universalist classic A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism, by John Buehrens and Forrest Church. While acknowledging that A Chosen Faith is "beautifully written," she is concerned that "for a book acting as the introduction to a diverse faith, the authors are not diverse." She asks:

Where is the book I want to see? I want a book of essays by women and men from various backgrounds, who came to Unitarian Universalism in different ways and followed different paths under the UU umbrella. (March 16, 2008)

Memories of a Unitarian childhood

ASW of "Seven Hundred Fifty Words" gives a delightful reflection on growing up at the First Parish Church of Sudbury, Massachusetts. She recalls her Sunday school teacher, Mr. Fischer, and the classes he taught in the woods near the church:

As is true of most important memories, I remember these mornings as sensory experiences, the literal opposite of a lecture or the way most people use the word "sermon." In fact, although as we got older we did go into the main church to hear the sermons, for me a sermon will always be Mr. Fisher explaining how tadpoles transformed into frogs, not just explaining it, though, but showing us: as we crouched around him in the cool dark woods around the edge of this little pond and saw what actually is a miracle, Unitarian-style. (March 16, 2008)

Not to be missed

The Rev. James Ford at "Monkey Mind" pens a very short autobiography. Jeff at "Transient and Permanent" helps you brush up on Unitarian Universalist history with his series of trivia questions and Universalist quotations. And the Rev. William Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, delivers a sobering YouTube message about the war in Iraq. The text of Sinkford's remarks is also available.