Co-Ministers’ Colloquy September 18

Dear UUSS community~  This past Sunday, Robin Ahearn, Director of Lifespan Religious Education, shared that everything we do is religious education, because everything we do as a congregation teaches something about what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist, part of a religious community. “Religion” comes from the Latin word, religare, “to bind.” Our faith teaches us that each of us matters, and that we are interdependent with all of existence. What does it look like when we behave as though we know these things are true? That is what we hope to practice and learn together. Of course, there are bumps along the way. Mistakes are made. There are disagreements about what is the best decision or way forward. When that happens, we hope that what binds us together is strong enough to help us to get ourselves sorted and when needed, to begin again, in love.

Tonight is the beginning of Yom Kippur, the holy Jewish day of atonement and forgiveness.Building beloved community takes work. At the teacher training a couple of Saturdays ago, Sarah Tyo shared some strategies for classroom and individual re-sets for when something goes awry in the classroom, when someone’s choices might not be the best for themselves or the class. The EAST or Education Accessibility sub-team, has been working diligently for months to consider how to be as inclusive and welcoming as possible. The re-sets were shared with thoughtfulness and care, reminding us of our first principle-that we affirm and promote inherent worth and dignity in every person. Teaching our children and then practicing as adults-to atone, to apologize, to ask for forgiveness and to do the work of forgiving when we have been disappointed or hurt is religious, binding work. Being in religious community also offers times of joy and clarity! Seeing all of the children, youth, teachers, and advisors gathering for their classes was definitely one of those moments for us! We hope that every Sunday has that much energy and participation. With gratitude, and in faith~ Rev. Lynn and Rev. Wendy