Pagan UUs, Emerson attacks, the God option, and more

Paganism and Unitarian Universalism

The Rev. Kit Ketcham at "Ms. Kitty's Saloon and Roadshow" asks for stories from Unitarian Universalists about their experiences with paganism (April 2, 2008). Lizard Eater of "The Journey" remembers discovering Wicca, and the impact of that discovery on her understanding of Unitarian Universalism:

Wicca was a part of my journey and parts of it remain with me still. And ultimately, it has given me a deeper appreciation for Unitarian Universalism. I was born and raised UU and so it was something that I could take for granted. But now, when someone walks in our doors and after their first UU worship experience, with glowing eyes, they say, "This is my religion, that I never knew existed" . . . I know what they mean. I’ve had that moment, too. Through Wicca. (April 2, 2008)

In the comments on Ketcham's post, UU blogger Jamie Goodwin of "Druuid" also describes his attraction to Paganism:

Perhaps one of the most compelling reasons for living a pagan path has to do with the ability to take an active role in the building of my life. Many pagan paths believe in such a thing as magic and even the act of communing and calling upon the Gods is an act of defining, building, and sensing the internal power within.

Emerson attack ad

In the spirit of this year's U.S. presidential election, the Rev. Dan Harper of "Yet Another Unitarian Universalist" offers a parody attack ad against famous Unitarian Ralph Waldo Emerson, on behalf of the fictitious "[William Ellery] Channing and Traditional Liberal Religion Committee" (March 28, 2008).

Lay leadership in worship

Reporting from the National Conference for Large Congregations, Elizabeth Barrett of "ExUUberance" responds to a workshop on worship and describes her own experience of helping lead worship:

There was a time that I was in the pulpit for what (to me) was an extended period: ten minutes. I admitted that I was nervous, so the minister helping reassured me immediately by saying that every UU comes to services wanting to engage with us — no one is here because they have to come! Plus, he told me that our pulpit is shaped like a hug and would hug me while I spoke. My nervousness disappeared immediately! (March 29, 2008)

Highlights of the British General Assembly

The General Assembly of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches in the United Kingdom held its annual meetings on March 26-29, 2008. The Assembly's website features a list of resolutions passed at this year's meetings, and a report on Growth and Renewal Day. The latter report states:

The most popular themes were Numerical & Spiritual Growth. The general focus on achieving these was through attending to the welcome given to both new visitors and existing members of our congregations, ensuring buildings, both interior & exterior, are warm, welcoming and identifiable as Unitarian, experimenting with worship times and styles, re-igniting the passion and soul of our movement and living our faith and values through outreach into the local communities.

Stephen Lingwood of "Reignite" offers an eyewitness account of the meetings. (See his posts on the first, second, third, and fourth days.) He writes:

Overall I enjoyed GA. The best bits aren't necessarily the formal bits but the conversations over coffee, breakfast or drinks in the bar. There are some really remakable people in our Unitarian community, and it's good to rub shoulders with them. One snatched 20 second conversation is going to stay with me for a long time. (March 31, 2008)

And the Rev. Eric Cherry, at the UUA's Advocacy & Witness Staff Group blog "Inspired Faith, Effective Action," offers additional coverage of the meetings.

Not to be missed

First Unitarian Universalist Church of Nashville's "FUUN Blog" celebrates the church's decision to call the Rev. Jason Shelton to be their associate minister for music, a first for the Unitarian Universalist Association. (Shelton, an ordained minister in fellowship with the UUA, has been the church's music director.) The Rev. Victoria Weinstein of "Peacebang" reacts to the slogan used by the First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, "God is Optional, You are Not." And Terri Pahucki of "UU Intersections" explains in response why she believes "God is far from optional in church."