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The Parish Minister's Page From our UCE Newsletter, December 20, 2006. Reverend Ms. Barbara J. Pescan
This question is asked as often inside as outside our UU assemblies. It is part of our good news that UUs agree to struggle together – to develop reliable vocabularies of reverence; to practice rituals that lift up the importance of life passages; to keep asking the deeper questions; and to work continually to bring our values and our actions together. All of these practices honor the breadth and depth of human experience. The Old English word, weorthscipe, translated as worth-ship, meaning the practice of holding in view that which is of worth, gives a clue to our Sunday morning practices. The words of the service may touch on world events, science or the environment; speak of personal experience, the wisdom of sages or world religions; use Humanist, Jewish, Christian or Buddhist teachings; or honor Earth-centered cultural traditions. Using this broad religious reference library, we try in our Sunday mornings to invite individuals to engage with their whole selves. From time to time we are all in need of healing, or of being exhorted to reach beyond complacency with how things are to see what yet may be. Public worship reminds us that each individual life is part of a larger whole across time and culture and nature. Worship at its best allows us to rest for a moment in awe at this interdependent web of life. The content of a particular sermon may not speak to every person in the congregation. But, we hope that over time the synergy of words-music-silence joins with a growing sense of community to touch the intellect and the senses; to prod the conscience and the moral imagination so that, renewed, we go out into the weekday world prepared to live our values in ways that bless the world and ourselves. We are a community of seekers covenanted to walk together in the ways of integrity and service. Here, we open time and make room to reflect on the questions. Here, we help each other find the courage and commitment to live fully toward what answers we might find and within the mysteries that abide. Here, the whole community may see itself gathered to celebrate its common life. Here, we promise to keep our minds and hearts open to each other and to what lies beyond our certainties to what is yet to unfold. Barbara Recent minister's columns from the UCE Newsletter:
Unitarian Church of Evanston
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How on earth do Unitarian Universalists worship when we have no creed, espouse a range of theological beliefs and hold no object at the center of our worship?