DanceLessons

What's That God

My granddaughter who just turned two learns something new every day. Yesterday it was two things:  One was that her whole name is Fiona Quinn Finchem. And the other was the wonderful phrase 'What's that mommy?'; repeated at least every five minutes. It is magical in a way: naming your self and at the same time being open all the questions of the universe - a constant what's that God?

Pagans in the Little Church

The pagans in my little church are a funky, energetic group.  They are young and intense.  Which is quite different from my friends in earth-centered circles I’m use to in a larger church.    Here, a pagan is a pagan.  Language is important.

At Easter, I included Pagans as a group that honor rebirth.  The service opened with a Native American flute.  I heard second-hand, the service was announced 'Pagan-friendly'.  Since then, services  have included Earth day, Beltane, and yesterday a former mountain man spoke on God and Nature.  From my perspective, earth-sentered spirituality was getting top billing.

But then again I don’t have a Pagan world view.  So I was surprised to learn that the Pagans have asked the Board for an alternative Sunday service.  And so it was granted.  At least the Sanctuary room request was granted.  Some members of the Board aren’t clear as to what they actually agreed to.  It was suggested that the published minutes would clarify that point. [The workings of small churches].

My verbal response to this action was along the lines of individualism and the beloved community. If the Pagans want to have a meeting every week on Sunday evening, blessed be.  But it isn’t an alternative to UU Sunday Morning. 

To learn more, I revisited the CUUPS website where Mary Ann Somervill writes “it is a part of the CUUPS chapter's responsibility to their home congregation to provide alternative worship services as often as is suitable for both groups.” (the groups being the home congregation and the CUUPS chapter). 

Hmmm.  I like very much the article “The Well-grounded CUUPS Chapter” written by  David R. Burwasser.  I had not thought of the idea that there are UU pagans and secular pagans. 

There is also an article in the latest UU pagan newsletter by UU pagan Rev. Krista Taves: “ Now, when someone complains about the service, saying it didn’t meet their needs, I say (when I have the courage)… “That means that someone in our congregation with a theology different from yours had their needs met this morning. What a thing to be grateful for.”

As Unitarian Universalists we are too ingrained in the theology that it’s all about us. If a religious service hasn’t pleased our individual tastes, that service wasn’t good. If a hymn has words that are difficult to sing, that makes it a bad hymn. If a ritual doesn’t come from our tradition, it’s a faulty or weak ritual. We have made a cult of the individual, and it’s hurting us, AS individuals and as a religious people. What if the religious and spiritual needs of your neighbor became just as important, if not more important, than your own? What if you could each commit to the practice of spiritual generosity? It might look like this: When you are in the midst of a sacred time, and that twinge of discomfort or frustration sets in, and you start thinking, “What about me?” try something different. “Someone is being filled by this. It may not be me, but I will rejoice with my neighbor. Blessed be.” Conversely, imagine it the other way around. As the gods whisper through your soul, someone who cannot relate to your joy gives thanks that your well has been filled. Talk about love. Talk about power. And the ability to be the religion we say we are.

Rev. Krista Taves

Emerson Unitarian Universalist Chapel

As for me, I’m still looking forward to the published minutes.  I will keep you posted.