March 21 Board Meeting Highlights

At the March 21 Board meeting, your PUUC Board:

• Decided to initiate a thorough update of the PUUC Leaders Handbook and policies and procedures.
• Approved Ann Marie Alderman, Tim Brown, Karl Hesse, Lucy Neel and Pam Whistler as PUUC delegates to the Southeast District Annual Meeting April 26-27 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Charlotte. Rev. Robin will also attend.
• Scheduled a congregational retreat Saturday, August 24, to renew consensus on PUUC governance, roles and responsibilities.

Please ask any Board member for more information about these items or other Board business.

In faith,

Lucy Neel, Shaun Allen, Lou Gardiner-Parks, Karl Hesse, Robin Mara, Evan Nash and Pam Whistler 

PUUC Board of Trustees

Confessions of a Work-a-holic

There is an old joke that goes something like:

A minister’s job is the easiest job. 

You only work one hour a week!

While it is true that ministry is an incredibly rewarding and life-giving profession, it is also true that it is far more than a one day a week job.  I’ve had some members ask lately, “what does your week look like Monday through Saturday?”

Unless you are a preacher’s kid or work in a church or have served on our board, it is pretty rare to understand exactly what the minister’s weekly schedule looks like.  Admittedly, I over-work.  I’ve known this for years but it wasn’t until the Finance Committee asked me to chart my hours for our new mission-based budget that I realized how much.

Ignorance is bliss, or so I thought!

Generally, my work week includes 2-3 committee meetings, several pastoral care visits and phone calls, planning the service and order of service, writing for our congregational announcements and publications, several community meetings, sermon drafting, writing a children’s story, meeting with staff, responding the occasional news reporter, attending a rally or vigil, completing some outreach to our denomination, study, prayer, teaching, holding office hours, planning special services or life transition services (memorials, dedications, weddings) and then of course there is Sunday.

So when you add this is all up, it came to about 75 hours a week.  That can’t be, I thought.  So, we did the numbers again.

I hear the first step is admitting you have a problem.

And my problem is that I love my profession enough to work far too much.

I am a work-a-holic.

So, why is your minister confessing?

In truth, it’s two-fold.  One is to share with you my own revelation in the hope that any of you struggling with this addiction might also do your own inventory.  And the second is to quite frankly make myself accountable to changing a pattern I wouldn’t advise anyone in my office for pastoral care to take up.

So it’s time I practice what I preach!

Over the next few months, I will be working to create a sustainable ministry by crafting a manageable work schedule.   I will be truly honoring my Sabbath Day, which will be switching to Mondays and will not respond to calls, unless of course they are emergencies.  I wont’ be answering emails on Monday and plan to spend the day free of work.  

Please continue to call me when you are in need and please continue to share your dreams and ideas about building a beloved community.  I am excited to continue this shared ministry together. I am honored to serve as your minister.

In faith and gratitude,

Rev. Robin

Spiritually Speaking: The Legacy of Freedom

For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.

~Nelson Mandela

Unitarian Universalists come from a legacy of proud heretics.  Heresy, not understood as the wrong belief, but understood as the ability or freedom to choose.  We are proud of the courage across the ages of struggling for religious freedom.  We stand in a legacy of rabble-rousers, activists, and bold souls who refused to be limited by law, tradition or popular culture in their search for spiritual truths.  These are good ancestors to have in your spiritual family tree.

Our modern day UU family also includes plenty of folk who know the value of religious freedom.  Some of us have been shut down in places where free-thinking, exploring and questioning was simply not allowed.  In contrast, our community affirms a free and responsible search because we actually believe that the human mind and heart are made for responsible discerning and seeking.  This is why we continue a community based in a representative democracy.  It is also why we have the freedom of the pulpit, so that our religious leaders are free to speak the truth on their heart and not fear persecution for honesty.  It is also why we are freely associated body; those who join us choose to do so without a threat of hell or the promise of heaven, but only in the spirit of a community striving together by choice.

The challenge is to learn how to be free in order to live a life of meaning rather than only seeking being free from our histories.  Just like it’s not enough to be defined by what we don’t believe, we Unitarian Universalists believe in a freedom to a responsible search.  Grappling with the demons of our past and finding the truth now is no easy faith journey.  It’s challenging to use our freedom with care and concern for others, while following our own conscience.  

A free and responsible search for truth and meaning begins in community.  It begins in a community that affirms each are worthy but understands that we live in a connected world where our actions have ripples.  It grows in a place that allows soul-stretching, the deep work of asking questions, speaking them aloud and gathering among supportive guides and journeyers.

A free and responsible search requires of each us to be open to multiple truths.  We have the great challenge to make room for each other’s beliefs and really engage them.  This can happen in the Chalice Circle when we listen deeply.  This can happen in our religious education classes when we ask each other questions, and rather than formulate rebuttals allow an idea to move about the room.  This can happen when we can stand in who we are.  This can happen when are honest with the ones we love and continue the struggle that all may be free. 

This can happen in our community.

Indeed, it does happen.  Every time, we stop and listen to a newcomer.  Every time we are awed in a spirituality group at the connection between our story and another-even decades apart.  Every time, we learn from the questions and answers of our children.  Every time, we gather in the gift of a free community and our souls stretch just a little.

It’s possible, it’s happening.  Come be free, and see.

In faith and freedom,

Rev. Robin

World Neighbors Project

“In separateness lies the world’s great misery, in compassion lies the world’s true strength.” ~attributed to the Buddha

As Unitarian Universalists we affirm and promote the interconnected web of all existence.  In this modern world, hands from around the world make our daily lives possible from our clothing, food to even our homes.  With this connection, comes a great responsibility.  The World Neighbors Project seeks to balance our social justice ministry and fulfill our responsibility as world neighbors.

Introduction:

Evolution of the Trip:

The World Neighbors Project was inspired by the work of our member, the late Jodie Kacer.  Jodie Kacer was a longtime Unitarian Universalist who lived in Wisconsin and joined PUUC in 2010.  She connected her UU congregation in Wisconsin with an organization called the Masaai American Organization (MAO).  See here for more information on MAO http://www.maasaiamerican.org/

MAO is a nonprofit organization focused on helping women and children get access to healthcare and education.  MAO purchases crafts at a fair trade from cooperatives in Guatemala and then sells these products for a small profit in the United States.  The proceeds of these sales are used to benefit women and children in Kenya.  Then, products are purchased at a fair trade from women in Kenya and again sold for a profit in the United States.  These profits are used to benefit women and children in Guatemala.  Essentially, it is beneficial international trade.  MAO is not a missionary or religious organization, but is grounded in values shared by Unitarian Universalism.

After conversations with Rev. Robin and Jodie, the PUUC Social Justice Council decided to host MAO craft sales in December of 2011.  The craft sales resulted in the funding of a solar panel, which now powers a school in Kenya.  In the spring of 2012, Kennedy Lieberman, the daughter of two members MJ and Larry Lieberman, traveled to Guatemala to work for two months for MAO.  At Jodie’s request and after speaking with Kennedy Lieberman, Rev. Robin and Ann Marie Alderman traveled to Guatemala in the summer of 2012.  Rev. Robin reported her experiences to the Social Justice Council.  The Council talked about the potential for a project and after four months of conversation, decided to put together an exploratory trip.  In December of 2012, the congregation held it’s second craft sale, which has helped women attend school through funded scholarships.  In January of 2013, the Core Planning Team formed.  In February of 2013, the first general meeting was held and the World Neighbors Project was born.

Intention of the Trip:

The Core Planning Team has been charged with planning an exploratory trip for July 2013.  The intention of the planning trip is to familiarize participants with the region of Santiago, Guatemala and in particular the area for a potential project, Chuk Muk (located outside of Santiago).  Participants will return to explore whether a project in Chuk Muk is possible.  No commitments for a project have been or will be made before, during or immediately after the trip. 

The philosophy of this trip is grounded in an anti-racist, anti-oppressive and multi-cultural viewpoint. Participants on this trip are going to listen and learn, rather than teach.  Participants will also complete service projects including volunteering in a school, elder center and hospital. Part of the belief of the core team is that in traveling to another culture, participants will better understand global citizenry, interconnected living and poverty in their own community and context.

Process for Post-Trip Exploration:

July 29, 2013  Exploratory Team Returns

Aug 2013  Team Meets with Social Justice Council to Debrief

Core Team meets with Social Justice Council, determines if any project is possible.  If SJC and Core Team determine a project is not feasible, craft sales may continue but exploration ceases.  If project seems at all feasible, then the following schedule begins.

Sep 2013  Social Justice Council meets
Open Core Team meeting held, all members are welcome

Oct 2013   Core Team develops a project plan.

Nov 2013 Core Team submits draft project plan to Social Justice Council.

Dec 2013  Core Team and Social Justice Council review proposal.  Social Justice Council sends back edits.

Jan 2014  Social Justice Council finalizes proposals; shares with congregation and Board of Trustees; Board reviews at January meeting.

Feb 2014 Social Justice Council receives Board of Trustees feedback; begins congregational meetings.

Mar-May 2014  Congregational informational meetings held (at least five)

Jun 2014 Proposal submitted at congregational meeting for a vote by the members

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Why are we traveling to Guatemala?

A. While there are many places we could begin this work, the Social Justice Council began in Guatemala because we had a member connection and UU connections that assured of this organization’s credibility.

Q. Shouldn’t we be working on social justice projects locally?  There is so much need here.

A. Absolutely, this trip is not intended to replace local social justice work but to better balance PUUC’s social justice program.

Q. I can’t go on the trip, how can I be involved?

A. We understand it is not feasible for many members to travel to Guatemala.  Members can be involved by assisting with craft sales, core team planning or project planning.  In addition, some members have already come forward to donate funds in order to support others participating. 

Q. How many people are going on the trip?

A. Currently, there are 9 members plus Rev. Robin and an MAO representative, Lea Pellet.  There is room for at least six more individuals in the exploratory trip.

Q. How much does the trip cost?  What is the financial liability for the church?

A.  The approximate cost of the trip is 1,200.00 including meals, flight, lodging and transportation. There will be some fundraising efforts (brunches or bake sale) to defray the costs, but none of the church’s operating fund or pledge income is being used to support the trip.  Any financial liability for the trip would be a part of the Core Team’s assessment, congregational discernment and board review (see above).

Q. I didn’t think Unitarian Universalists were missionaries.  Is this a mission-based trip?

A.  No, we don’t plan on converting anyone. The trip is spiritual for participants, but not missionary in orientation.

Contact/Further Questions:

This info sheet is designed to give a brief introduction to the Guatemala exploratory trip.  Further questions should be directed to Core Planning Team members, Darla Davis and Virginia Gil-Rivas who can be reached at worldneighbors@puuc.org

Other members of the Core Planning Team include Mimi Davis, Amanda Howard and Rev. Robin Tanner.  The World Neighbors Project is an approved project of the Social Justice Council, who would also welcome any questions.  Amanda Armstrong and Brian Foster serve as co-chairs of the Social Justice Council.  They can be reached at Amanda Armstrong armstram@gmail.com and Brian Foster bafoster@gmx.com

We welcome all questions and inquiries and hope this document serves as the introduction to an ongoing congregational exploration.

Spiritually Speaking: Saving Face, Saving Lives in “The Community Redeemed”

In our theme-based ministry this month, we are considering redemption.  In most of the Christian world, redemption is linked to Jesus’ death on the cross and, more specifically, atonement theology.  Atonement theology includes a wide array of theological beliefs, among which is that all humans are born with original sin.  Thus Jesus, as the son of God, died in order to atone for all of humanity’s sin.  A common description is “the ultimate sacrifice to repay the ultimate debt.”

In case you hadn’t guessed, we Unitarian Universalists simply do not support atonement theology.  We believe each child is born with gifts and a unique spirit, which sing to the universe. Our job is to help our children cultivate these gifts.  Sure, we also know that humans can cause horrible violence and pain.  But the story of humanity is not grounded in a sinful nature, but in a gifted nature that requires cultivation, care and love.  We hold up the beautiful and believe in the restoration of what is broken.  

As for Jesus’ death, we Unitarian Universalists believe it to be a horrendous moment in the history of hurt and violence perpetuated against some of our most visionary and inspiring leaders.  We seek knowledge and inspiration from Jesus’ life rather than his death.  We believe in a resurrection of the spirit.  Simply put, that the lives of those gone before live on in our love and memory.  So we focus on how Jesus’ lived and what his life can offer us today.

So what does redemption have to do, if at all, with Unitarian Universalism?

We also believe as Unitarian Universalists that we are all connected and all worthy.  This includes the heroes like Jesus who we want to be connected with as well as those who have caused great harm.  We believe we are all worthy, even those we might like to dismiss, turn away from or pretend don’t have as much worth as we do.

And we know, as a relational faith that the only way to grow and love is within the context of community.  We learn about ourselves by being in relationship with each other.  We learn how to love being in relationships, from our families, to friends, and our families of choice. 

 

Unitarian Universalists know what it is to be redeemed by community.  In a culture so often about saving face, we strive to save lives by living up to our covenant.  As we say each Sunday, “we light our flaming chalice to illuminate the world we seek. In the search for truth, may we be just.   In the search for justice, may we be loving.  And in loving, may we find peace.”

The Unitarian Universalist minister Rev. Dr. Forest Church compared redemption in Unitarian Universalism to grocery store coupons.  In our faith, we believe we each have received these unique gifts.  It is in community that we seek to find the loving, justice-making and honest ways to use these gifts, or redeem these coupons.    It is within community that we discern how to redeem these coupons.  Just like a coupon for the grocery store, part of getting the best value (or in our case the peace we seek) is matching our gifts to their purpose.

It is our hope that this place we call our spiritual home, PUUC, helps you discover how to redeem your spiritual coupons, discovering the peace of our gifts meeting the world’s great needs.

Redemption in Unitarian Universalism: The journey of discovering the places where our gifts and the world’s needs meet.  In other words, it is a state of being saved and valued by and through the gathered community.

Peace to you on the journey.  All coupons welcome!

In faith and love,

Rev. Robin