January 20, 2019
The unifying themes of this program are justice, love, learning and hope. The messages come from sermons and readings from Unitarian-Universalist sources. The program title comes from a beloved Unitarian-Universalist hymn, “Spirit of Life,” which includes the words, “Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion” and “Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.”
Commentary
Written by Orlando Montoya
This winter, as I’ve done for many years, I organized a series of day trips for charitable causes. Last month, as part of this series, four people and I visited Dorchester Academy in Midway, a short drive from Savannah. The American Missionary Association founded Dorchester in 1871 as a school for formerly enslaved people. In the 1960’s, the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Andrew Young and other Civil Rights leaders used Dorchester as a retreat for planning their demonstrations, notably, the Birmingham march, the Civil Rights movement’s first major victory. We visited rooms where King slept, strategized and dined. We walked the fields where he played kickball. Our tour guide, the 88 years young former educator Deborah Robinson, went to school with Young and shook King’s hand. In Unitarian-Universalism, we don’t have saints. We don’t invoke intercession by supernatural beings. But, from time to time, we do call names to remind us of ancestors. As we prepare to celebrate King’s legacy, and that of others who fought these battles, let us remember that this history isn’t ancient or faraway. Let us call those names, King, Young and others, to remind us that other names and other battles, Black Lives Matter, voter suppression, educational disparities and criminal justice, require us to rise to their examples. We might not meet or strategize. But we can stand in active solidarity. If the 50 years since King’s passing has taught us anything, it’s that simply “not being a racist” isn’t good enough. We must work to build the Beloved Community that we seek by our actions, not our beliefs. We must hold ourselves and our institutions accountable by effective mechanisms, not merely words. And while we do this, which is difficult, we also celebrate. So, eat well on Monday. And happy MLK Day.
Sermon
“Open and Willing” (1/13/19)
Rev. Shana Lynngood
First Unitarian Church of Victoria, British Columbia
Sermon
“Learning To See in the Dark” (9/16/18)
Rev. Kelly Dignan
Unitarian-Universalist Church of Boulder, Colorado
Sermon
"The Only Lasting Truth"
Rev. Guelen Guengerich
All Souls Unitarian Church, New York City
Sermon
"The Age of Miracles"
Rev. Bridget Spain
Dublin Unitarian Church, Ireland
Braver Wiser
Used by permission of Braver Wiser, a publication of the Unitarian-Universalist Association
Quest Monthly
Used by permission of Quest Monthly, a publication of the Church of the Larger Fellowship
UUA Statements
Messages from the Unitarian Universalist Association
Natural Silence
Used by permission of ListeningEarth.com
UUA Principles and Sources
Our liberal faith as defined by the Unitarian Universalist Association
World Religions
Written by Orlando Montoya
Interfaith Calendar
Written by Orlando Montoya
UU FAQ
Written by and used by permission of John Sias from interviews with Rev. Steve Edington
Published by the Unitarian-Universalist Church of Nashua, NH
A Year of Spiritual Companionship
Written by and used by permission of Anne Kertz Kernion