Love notes from Reverend Denise

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Love Notes from Reverend Denise

 

In times of stress and dis-ease, it is important to care for ourselves. Engage your senses – all of them. Smell delicious things, breath in ways that refresh you. Look at nature from far and close up. Touch lovely textures. Move your body in ways that feel refreshing. Listen to things that nourish you.
I, like many of you, am worried about next week, next month, the time between now and the national election being certified. I have been taking classes about defending democracy with other UU ministers. I have no illusion that we will know the outcome of the presidency on election night and maybe not for months. I was just listening to this podcast with Van Jones explaining how the race could go on for a long time: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0vORO9NU5iN3gNNFzt9YOD?si=2ZR37h7xSvSyyi-eryHPyg&utm_source=Facebook_SimpleMusicStories&utm_medium=sms&fbclid=IwAR38NucQFY_4x7hwmdEQ23tlG_y7MXvT_HFiKzUNCrWGHN5rWIFNt6DQjsI

I am appreciative of the message our UUA president, Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Grey put out on her Facebook page today encouraging us to be patient. I know no one wants to hear that the election might be months from over. Just like we don’t want to see the surges in the virus. The idea of a coup is not far off in many people’s minds as we continue to see democracy slipping away. As Unitarian Universalists, we defend democracy and that means we want to see every vote counted. You may feel powerless but together we are strong. We can do this work of love and justice. I know we can. I want to have you prepared for not knowing what is next.  I am trying to get you thinking and also encourage you to care for yourself.

 

How YOU CAN Make a difference:

It is a great time to take a UU the Vote class on defending democracy:

 

Emotional Support
In this unprecedented time, I want to give you a few tools to go into next week with.

Listen to good music:

We Shall Be Known by the UU How We Thrive Choir https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft2reFzQtOI

Hold on – wilson philips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aT_76sOgXzg&feature=youtu.be

Holly Near: I am open and willing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AkGk5maD8Q

    • I am open and I am willing.
    • For to be hopeless would seem so strange.
    • It dishonors those who go before us,
    • So lift me up to the light of change.

 

Affirmation of Hope

By Loretta Williams

We, bearers of the dream, affirm that a new vision of hope is emerging.
We pledge to work for that community in which justice will be actively present.
We affirm that there is struggle yet ahead.
Yet we know that in the struggle is the hope for the future.
We affirm that we are co-creators of the future, not passive pawns.
And we stand united in affirmation of our hope and vision of a just and inclusive society.
We affirm the unity of all persons:
We affirm brotherhood and sisterhood that allows us to touch upon each other’s humanity.
We affirm a unity that opens our eyes, ears, and hearts to see the different but common forms of oppression, suffering, and pain.
Yet we are one in the image of God, and we celebrate our hopes for human unity.
Within ourselves and within the gathered community, we will discover the strength not to hide in indifference.
Affirming that hope, publicly expressed, energizes and enables us to move forward. Together we pledge action to transcend barriers — be they racial, political, economic, social, or religious.
We pledge to make our tomorrows become our todays.

 

 

Election Day and Night UU Spiritual Spaces

UU Ministers from around the country are gathering online to offer a UU space for anyone seeking respite, positive energy, peace, and spiritual practice on Election Day. You may join at any time during that day to find a peaceful space for reflection, prayer, meditation, and spiritual practice. We look forward to seeing you anytime you want to drop in on Zoom.

Tuesday, November 3, 7:00 a.m. PST until 7:00 p.m. PST 

https://uuma.zoom.us/j/99553231971? pwd=azZDRERZVURURzBjNU11SjMwUTNjUT09
Zoom Meeting ID: 995 5323 1971, Passcode: 954636

Also, on Election Night, you can find UU Open Space on Zoom with ministerial chaplains available for reflection, spiritual practice, and care.

Tuesday, November 3, between 8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.
Zoom Meeting ID: 212 683 4998, Passcode: 10016

Post-Election:

Wednesday, November 4, 12noon to 1pm PUUF Spiritual Nourishment Circle.

Bring a candle or two, if you like or a stone, shell or symbol from nature that means something to you. Rev. Denise will share a reading or two and then ask you to share your symbol of hope with the group. If there are enough of us, we will go into break out rooms to share your feelings about where things are at in small groups. This will be an opportunity to speak in I statements about what is on your mind regarding the elections. We will take turns and then hold a moment of silence after each person speaks. Then pass the flame to the next person to speak for a moment.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83295737916?pwd=WStzRkFVOUZEL0RhZ3RvL0VmMUFuUT09
Thursday, November 5 from 5-6:15 pm PST – Join us for a national UU Vigil no matter the outcome of the election, with UUA President Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray.

https://www.facebook.com/events/3713971198666868/

Public · Hosted by Unitarian Universalist Association and Side with Love

Widening the Circle of Concern

UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray’s recent letter https://www.uua.org/pressroom/press-releases/theology-and-democracy?fbclid=IwAR0IEWCVI7I_iDCIPnHuUC8IZ6VRekKLgbZhUNZlsvstzt4oPdnwCByznl4

called the UUA’s Commission on Institutional Change’s report Widening the Circle of Concern “critically important for all Unitarian Universalists.”

Placing the work in context, Frederick-Gray writes:

The Commission on Institutional Change (COIC) completed their report in February 2020, just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, everything that has come to pass during this pandemic has only reinforced how urgently we are in need of transformation.

As the Commissioners write: ‘This crisis has revealed the disparities that exist at all levels for the well- being for Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color as well as for LGBTQ individuals, people living with limited economic means, and people living with disabilities. Addressing them within our faith becomes more important, not less.’

They say this because justice work is not done in categories of environment or anti-racism, but in efforts that seek justice for all taking into account all the stories people bring.

In this season of turning and change, marked by so much heartbreak and loss, I continue to be inspired by all the ways Unitarian Universalists just like you are actively showing up for liberating change within our faith community and with our larger communities and planet. You all have been working so hard. There is hope to be found in doing the work of love and justice. Everything you do, and the work we are doing together, is a great source of my hope during this time. Thank you.

President Frederick-Gray’s recommendation that as many of us as possible study this “key roadmap” to the necessary work of change within our congregations. The report is available for purchase as a book, e-book https://www.uuabookstore.org/Widening-the-Circle-of-Concern-P18686.aspx or for free https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/cic/widening. A great place to start is with the section on Restoration and Reparations https://www.uua.org/uuagovernance/committees/cic/widening/restoration-reparations, reproduced on the UUA website.

This report will be foundational for our future work and I am interested in leading a discussion group around it. I am just delving into reading the whole report. I had been reading it in chunks as the studies were occurring, but this is much easier to read now that the work is formatted into digestible chunks.
Same Gender Weddings

I know some of you and your loved ones are worried about getting married before something with SCOTUS changes. The new Supreme Court Justice means that many folks who have same gender partners are very worried they will lose their right to marry. Some same gender identified folks are hurrying to marry quickly before the Court removes this right. While I hope that does not happen, I am trying to prepare for anything. I can and I will marry people over Zoom. Now getting married should not be the only way that people can get healthcare or ways to pass on property and the 1300 other rights that marriage confers, but it is a way to address some of those in the short term. Let me know and share with your social networks that we can help. We, as Unitarian Universalists, will honor all love, we honor democracy and we will prevail. Contact me about officiating.

 

Go easy on yourself in the next few weeks. Know I am sending you messages of kindness and wishes for your best health and joy.

 

Warmly, Rev. Denise