As we journey into the last quarter of the year, it can be really challenging to keep up with all that is going on in our society. Not just the politics of the day, but in our day to day interactions with our neighbors (who are most likely just as rushed and harried as we are) and are dealing with the mundane day to day living of life that is part of being a human being on planet earth.
Children are going back to school, holidays will soon be upon us, financial concerns, maintaining right relationships with our loved ones and neighbors, health concerns, career concerns, spiritual and emotional concerns---it can all be so, so, overwhelming. It can be difficult to know when to hold on and when to let go. And yet  the key to maintaining one's sanity in a world that is moving so fast is to learn to slow down and to let go. 

It's not always an easy task but it is still worth the effort. This well known story from a book entitled, Zen and The Art of Whatever"  by David Gerrold is a great reminder....

 

                                                      Minister's Message continued

Physician and researcher Dhruv Khrullar observed “The key to a deeper, healthier life, it seems, isn't knowing the meaning of life — it's building meaning into your life.” Work provides a sense of meaning and purpose for some. What is yours? Is it changing? This morning we’ll explore why having a clear sense of purpose and acting on it is perhaps the most life-affirming thing we’ll ever do.

Rev. Terry Davis pursued Unitarian Universalist ministry after a 25-year career in corporate communications. Rev. Davis currently serves as a transitions coach for the UUA Southern Region.  She has served as the solo minister of UU congregations in St. Louis and Atlanta, as well as the resident chaplain of the women’s maternity center at Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital.  A native of Washington, DC, Rev. Davis earned her Master of Divinity degree from Candler School of Theology in Atlanta in 2008. She was ordained at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta in 2010, where she was a 20-year active member.

A couple of thousand years ago, plus a few decades, Plato taught that everyone seeks the good. Not that everyone finds the good, or enjoys the good, but that everyone seeks it, in their own way.  Even those people whose lives seem so futile, or self- destructive, or doomed to failure, even they too are seeking, somehow, the good--think about it.  They're not trying to fail, they're not looking for sadness, doom or misfortune, at least not consciously.  They're trying to capture the gold ring, make the big score, win the lottery; they’re seeking happiness. The Declaration of Independence says that we have a "right" to pursue happiness, but it doesn't say that we will always acquire happiness. Do we really have a "right" to be happy? Let's explore.                             

While attending Union Seminary, I had the privilege of studying Systematic Theology with Dr. James Cone, the founder of "Black Liberation Theology." He was not a perfect human being, but his passion and love for African American people, his belief that "God" was on the side of the oppressed, and his intellectual gifts were simply astonishing. He also happened to be one of two professors who encouraged me to stay on at Union for a Ph.D. ( This was after reading my Master's Thesis on the topic of UFO's and the Bible).
Professor Cone died on April 28th, 2018.  You have heard me say on more than one occasion that we as UUs must always remember that the religion of the oppressed is different from the religion of the privileged. Dr. Cone was a privileged academic and intellectual, but he never forgot where he came from. Join me on Sunday September 30th, as I present another "Biographical Sermon" on the life of yet another extraordinary human being--The Rev. Dr. James Cone, Father of Black Liberation Theology. 

School is back in session! Our children are back in their classes and we will be starting our new program year this month. 
This year "Spirit Play"  is the curriculum for our preschoolers. This Montessori-type program let's the children engage with the story topics as they feel called to do. Whether with clay, building blocks, or crayons, this program will have something for everyone.

Our elementary class will "Sing to the Power" as they learn about their own power and how to use it to be leaders. This curriculum uses the analogy of the 4 elements: earth, air, fire, and water, to allow the children to explore their power and choose projects to put that power into action!

Our teens are doing something a little different this year. Small group ministry whether in a Chalice Circle or the Men's Group, is a vital part of our congregation. Our teens will be "Sharing the Journey" with their facilitators as they try out this program that is based on the small group ministry format. As one of our teens will be bridging this year, it is hoped that this program will provide a glimpse into the adult experience at UUCSV.

And speaking of our teens, one of them is this month's Meet RE member. Meet Cora!

"I started attending UUCSV when I was still crawling. Some of my favorite classes have been "Coming of Age" , "OWL"  (Our Whole Lives) and "Social  Justice through Music" . I loved going to Boston and getting closer to the people on the trip. I liked OWL because I learned a lot about all kinds of different people. What I loved most about the Social Justice class was being in a roomful of people who care as much as I do and can respectfully talk about those issues.
Halloween parties and the Christmas Eve service are special to me. I am on the Owen High School Dance team, I work at Kilwins and I’m a junior in high school. This summer I backpacked on the Appalachian Trail with 11 strangers for eight days straight and then the last 4 days we spent doing environmental service projects. I learned that all people are incredible in their own way. You just have to get to know them first."

But the older monk picked up the woman without a word and carried her across the river. He put her down on the far side and continued on his journey. The younger monk came after him, scolding him and berating him for breaking his vows. He went on this way for all day long and just could not seem to stop.

Finally, as evening came on the older monk turned to the younger one and said, "I only carried her across the river, but you have been carrying her all day."

During this time of Rosh Hashanah (The Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (The Holiest Day of the Jewish Calendar), the day of repentance and Atonement (At-One-Ment) I am Wishing all of you a Gentle Peace,

Michael