Congregational membership, advice to graduates, and more

Understanding congregational membership

As she prepares a sermon to encourage broader involvement in her congregation's religious education program, uuMomma reflects:

This has me considering how we enter into relationship with each other at the covenantal level. We just had a book signing last week at our church, ushering five more names onto our historic rolls. The new members stand at the front of the church, sign the book, we give them a flower and we ask them to say some words in unison and together we speak the unison reading about 'blessed are they.'

But it doesn’t feel like we are really asking anything of them, or giving them a good sense of what membership entails. (May 31, 2008)

She offers a list of suggested "expectations" for congregational members.

Addressing Barack Obama's recent decision to leave his United Church of Congregation, Joel Monka of "CUUMBAYA" argues that Unitarian Universalists approach church membership differently than some Christians, and therefore don't grasp the necessity of Obama's departure:

A Unitarian who agreed with everything he heard from the pulpit would be nervous; no two Unitarians in the entire denomination would agree with each other on everything- not even that statement. This being the case, it's hard to understand the uproar over the things said by Obama’s pastor- "Of course he doesn’t agree with that, but so what? I disagree with my minister over a lot of things! They’re just trying to play the patriotism card or the race card."

But a "John 3:16" Christian is very different. They don’t share "values"; they share beliefs. Beliefs are the only way to heaven, the only thing that matters. (June 3, 2008).

Advice to graduates

Drawing on famous Universalist preacher John Murray's exhortation to "go out into the highways and by-ways," the Rev. Matt Tittle at "Keep the Faith" offers some advice to this year's high school graduates:

As you finish high school and move on to other horizons, whether it be college or the workforce, go out into the highways and the by-ways. Be seen on the highway of life, on its front pages, and its main streets. Be known there as a person of deep conviction and great integrity. Be known also on the by-ways of life, the back alleys, the inner cities, the forgotten corners of this world. Be known there as a person of humility and compassion. Be an advocate for the least among us and a champion for our highest ideals. (June 1, 2008).

Ask and receive

Mia McLeod, outgoing president of the Unitarian Church of Los Alamos, New Mexico, blogs about "asking for help":

I have always been happy to help others. I would offer, or people would ask for help, but until you have been helpless yourself, it is hard to imagine what it is like to have to ask! You have no choice.

My experience is that people do want to help if they are aware that help is needed. To be able to give help makes you feel good and happy. So there really is no stigma attached to asking for help when you need it. Just think of it as making someone else's day. It is amazing what people will do for someone who truly needs help. (June 1, 2008)

Not to be missed

The Rev. Debra Haffner of "Sexuality and Religion: What's the Connection?" and Elizabeth of "Elizabeth's Little Blog" report on "Sex and the City," the movie. Pseudonymous smijer at "Tete-a-Tete-Tete" appreciates Tad Waddington's UU World article on "The Avatar's Advantage." And the Rev. Dan Harper of "Yet Another Unitarian Universalist" tells a story from the lunch line.