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What Does it Mean to Be a People of Promise?Courtesy of Soul Matters Sharing Circle
Say Yes. Whatever it is, say yes with your whole heart & simple as it sounds that’s all the excuse life needs to grab you by the hands and start to dance.”
-Brian Andreas
There is power in a promise. Maybe the greatest power of all. This is arguably the most foundational claim of our faith.
It is common for UUs to say we were born inherently good and powerful rather than inherently weak and depraved. What is not so common is remembering that this capacity for strength and goodness is rooted in our ability to make promises. Whereas other religious traditions focus on confession or right belief, we’ve always placed our hope in the act of making and keeping commitments. This is what is at stake in proclaiming that we are covenantal rather than creedal faith. If a new day is to come, it will arrive not when we all think alike, but when we all follow through on our commitments to love our neighbor as ourselves. If salvation is possible, it will be realized not from us noticing our need to be cleansed, but from waking up to our need to be connected. If divinity is real, we will know it not in the form of a supernatural moment, but in those everyday miracles when we look into each other’s eyes and say, “You can count on me to…” Grace is not a reward for good behavior, it is the sacred and creative power that arises when two or more entwine their lives in mutual commitment. Again, there is power in a promise. And what about the promise that life itself makes to us? This too is central to our faith. From our beginnings, we have declared life to be full of promise and potential, even when darkness seems to dominate our days. So we commit to keeping our eyes open. Trust in life and others, and life and others will prove themselves trustworthy. Shift your gaze from what you want to what you have and suddenly life is generous rather than a threat. To paraphrase Brian Andreas, say yes and life will start to dance.
Promise as an Act of ResistanceRev. Sara LaWall
Our lives are full of promises, both explicit and implicit. We make promises to our families, our employers, our friends, and even to ourselves. Here at BUUF we also make promises to this community; to support its mission and vision with our time, talent, and treasure; to practice being our best selves in a place of encouragement; to grow our spiritual lives; to care for one another and our children; to support each person’s search for truth and meaning; and to help create a more just, compassionate, and peaceful world (just to name a few). As Unitarian Universalists, such promises are at the heart of our religious tradition. We are a covenantal faith, we do not require adherence to a particular creed or dogma, but rather hold our promises (in the form of covenants) to one another, our communities, and the world, as central to our practice.
Our UU 7 Principles are part of that covenant, beginning with the words, “We covenant to affirm and promote.” They offer us a guide for putting our values and faith into action. In these turbulent times when we are witnessing the dismantling of policies, programs, and values central to our liberal, religious tradition, living out our covenantal promises can be a bold act of resistance. If I affirm and promote, “The inherent worth and dignity of every person” (principle #1), what does that look like in my own life and in the world? What actions does that promise call me to take? What does promoting the “Right of conscience and us of the democratic process in our society a large” (principle #5) ask of us? These promises then, offer an framework for a values-based, tradition-grounded commitment to ourselves and to the most vulnerable in our midst and create a clear counter narrative to the challenges of our democracy. This is what resistance looks like. As part of my promise to uphold our UU covenant of 7 Principles, I continue to work with the Interfaith Equality Coalition of Idaho, a group of liberal faith communities and leaders dedicated to promoting justice, equality, and human dignity through advocacy, education, and public discourse. Last week we hosted a prayer breakfast for our legislatures (we’ve taken on the task of praying for each individual legislator as an act of goodwill and an opportunity to find common ground). A few legislators attended and gave us a great update and advice on how we can continue to make an impact and raise our collective voices on behalf of progressive religion. We also hosted a luncheon for the lobbyists and community partners we’ve been working with to give them a chance to share their work, network with one another, and think about how our work can support them. There are some incredible people out there fighting for equality and rights of all people and our planet and the common good.
What I found most inspirational was the recognition among all of them of the intersectionality of issues. They all understand that human rights, equality, and our environment are all connected. Our work for one intersects with our work for another and the dismantling of one issue negatively impacts the others. As a result, less factionalism is happening among progressive issues (at least here in Idaho) and instead connection and intersectional support is growing. One of the best pieces of advice I have read for sustaining this new justice movement is to choose the issue(s) that speak to your heart and give them as much as are able, with ample time for self-care and renewal. Then, trust that others will fill the needs in other places and together we all move forward, one promise at a time.
It is important to remember that our covenants are aspirational. They express the best of who we wish to be in the world. As imperfect human beings, we recognize we will not always meet those lofty aspirations and we will falter and hurt one another and forget about the “other” in our midst. But our covenant, our promises, central to our UU tradition are serve as touchstones, as a beacon showing us the way to expanding our hearts and minds and living out our UU identity in all our endeavors, both the mundane and the extraordinary.
Congregations also create their own covenants particular to their communities. BUUF is in the midst of that process right now (see more details in board article below). We began with a congregational gathering in November to hear your stories and our Covenant and Right Relations Task Force has been meeting to draft language for our review. The task force will be leading worship on March 26 with a service titled, “The Promise of Covenant.” All are invited to join us following the second service (on March 26) for lunch and conversation about BUUF’s covenantal process and review a draft of our congregational covenant.
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Message from Your Vice PresidentMatthew Sabin
Right Relations Task Force
In November the Board convened the Right Relations Task Force to work on a congregational Covenant.
We kicked off our process with a World-Café styled discussion. Rev. Sara led the discussion of what works and what doesn’t in relations and communication here at BUUF. The participants of that meeting generated lots of inspiring words and ideas including a list of their needs. It is our goal to cover as many of those needs as we can in our covenant.
I am humbled by the caring, deep thinking and conviction of each of the members of our committee. It is an honor to work with them.
Over the course of our meetings we have read and discussed the notes from the World-Café and also read many other congregations’ covenants – there are many beautiful examples out there. I have half-joked about just adopting one of those other covenants, but as beautiful as they are, none captures the unique character of our Fellowship.
Committee discussions have revolved around language, content and style, keeping the primary focus on broad positive language. Seeking to raise our expectations of ourselves.
We are currently working on draft language to share with the congregation at the end of this month. We want to collect as many more ideas from the congregation as we can and we want your feedback on the draft. We will share our work with you in a workshop after second service on March 26th.
I look forward to the discussions that afternoon, and encourage as many of you as possible to attend.
– Matthew |
Office Staff at Your ServiceLast year we made some changes to the roles and responsibilities of our office staff. Ed Davis, our former Office Manager, reduced his hours and now handles only bookkeeping and financial tasks. Sarah Olson took on additional hours and the office management and membership needs with the support of Nancy Harms, our Program Support Specialist. For those of you used to asking Ed about office related items, Sarah Olson is now your “go-to.” She and Nancy are in the office during our regular weekday office hours, Tuesday through Thursday apx. 9am – 3pm. Ed typically works 7am – noon Tuesdays – Fridays. Here is a little breakdown to help you figure out who covers which areas, when questions come up:
Sarah Olson, Membership & Social Justice Coordinator
Membership records & questions, newcomer questions, small groups, Facebook, website, publicity, volunteer support, plate partner program, general social justice support. Sarah serves as a coordinator, offering logistical and infrastructure support to your project, program, or small group and answering your general newcomer & membership questions.
Nancy Harms, Program Support Specialist
Room reservations and general calendaring for meetings & events, order of service, weekly email announcement bulletin, worship related needs.
Ed Davis, Bookkeeper & Financial Manager
Reimbursement requests, pledge and donation information, payroll, accounts payable, tax requirements.
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Annual Giving Drive Kicks-off March 12th!Your stewardship team has been working hard to prepare for this year’s Annual Giving Drive (AGD). This is the time of year when we invite you to consider your financial commitment in the form of making an annual pledge to BUUF. Your pledges help support the mission and vision of this beloved community and all of our programs, ministries, and operations. As you have heard, the theme of this year’s campaign is “The Circle of Love,” inviting us to reflect on how we help create and widen that circle, welcoming and nurturing those seeking a spiritual community where all have a place at the table. We extend that welcome out into the world through acts of service, public witness, advocacy and justice recognizing that our commitment to radical love and hospitality extends beyond our walls even as we support those within. And now, more than ever, the world needs our voices of hope, love, and justice.
I believe, as Unitarian Universalists, we are in the business of changing lives. On some level we have committed ourselves to this fellowship to create wholeness, healing, and transformation in our own lives, in the lives of this community, and in the world. When we give, we say YES to that vision, mission, and possibility. YES to being co-creators in that transformation.
This church belongs to each of us and it is supported almost entirely through the annual pledges of its members and friends. We give to support not only its daily operations and all of the vital programs and ministries like worship, religious exploration, music, and small groups; but also to ensure its legacy for the future. Generosity is a deeply rooted spiritual practice, one that reminds us when we give, we receive just as much–the two are inextricably linked.
With your pledges for 2017-2018 we can create a circle of love that not only sustains us, but ripples out beyond where our eyes can see, touching hearts, minds, and spirits; transforming lives! Join us as we kick-off our month-long campaign with events and special worship services. We hope you can be present for all of them!
Family movie night & potluck on Saturday, March 11th from 5:00pm – 8:00pm, as we consider the meaning of generosity in our own lives through the film, Pay It Forward.
Sunday, March 12,
AGD Kick-off Sunday
Special guest Cherie Buckner-Webb joins Rev. Sara in the pulpit to deliver a rousing sermon weaving together our monthly theme of promise with the Circle of Love. This kick-off service will also feature special music from “The Analog Sisters,” a Boise women’s acapella group featuring Michelle Coleman, Peggy Jordan & Patricia Folkner.
Celebration Sunday
April 9th 11:00am (one service)
at the BSU Stueckle Sky Center! Join us for a multigenerational celebration of our beloved community featuring our fabulous choir and rocking Soulful Sundown band in this stunning location.
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Committee on MinistryThe Committee on Ministry continues to meet monthly. As the name of the committee implies our focus is on successful ministry of the church. Last Fall we (minus Rev. Sara) completed an evaluation of her first year as our Minister. This was submitted to the UUA’s Ministerial Fellowship Committee, as was a self-evaluation by Rev. Sara and a Board Evaluation by our Board. We will repeat the process again later in 2017 and in 2018 as part of the process for Rev. Sara to be granted Final Fellowship status.
As you would probably expect, the evaluation requests input on areas such as “Leads Worship,” “Encourages Spiritual Development” and “Provides Pastoral Care.” It also requires our input on less obvious areas, such as “Leads Administration,” “Pursues Professional Development,” and “Leads the Faith Forward into the Future.” Although this evaluation focuses on Rev. Sara, ministry exists throughout the congregation, so we also make note of areas where the congregation is especially strong or notably absent.
The Committee members are David Clopton, Wanda Jennings (chair), Rev. Sara LaWall, Patty Nakaoki, Matthew Sabin and Sharene Watsen. Talk to any committee member if you have questions, suggestions, or any other topic.
Patty
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March’s Plate Partner:
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Questions to Wrestle With on Promisefrom Soul Matters Sharing Circle
As always, treat these questions and an opportunity to reflect on your own spiritual life. You do not need to engage with every single one, find the one that hooks you and spend time with it. Write it on a few post-it notes and hang them around your house or office, spend some time journaling, then let it take you on a ride. Allow it to regularly break into–and break open–your ordinary thoughts. These are some of the questions our Chalice Circles (small group ministry) use in their monthly gatherings.
1. What promises have you made to your spiritual life? We keep our commitment each day to work and earning cash? Why do the promises to our soul and spirit often take second seat?
2. What promise in your life needs to be broken? Are you keeping a commitment that is keeping you in a cage?
3. When promises are broken, how good are you at “beginning again in love”? Has your ability to trust survived all those promises that went unfulfilled? 4. It’s been said that we promise according to our hopes, and perform according to our fears. Is there a fear in your life right now that is getting in the way of a promise you want to make? |