Manatee UU Fellowship NEWS

I am writing this during a break at the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association gathering. During this gathering, I heard Rev. Alicia Forde give a keynote talk. I am still processing all that she said. Of the many things she covered, she asked three questions: What would Love do here? Who must we be (for Love to act here)? Where are we responding to harm?

At the Service of the Living Tradition, I heard Rev. Jacqueline Duhart’s sermon, “Radicals Rise Up — NOW Is A Moment.” She focused on showing up for Love by reconstituting the church to be civically engaged. Powerful and challenging words.

This week we witnessed the US Supreme Court (SCOTUS) strike down a 100-year-old gun law in New York stating it is a person’s constitutional right to carry a weapon whenever and wherever they choose. I posted on my Facebook page that this is a powder keg for increased gun violence. Where are we as Unitarian Universalists in Manatee County showing up for Love?

And this morning, I am in tears at the news that SCOTUS has overturned Roe v. Wade. Unitarian Universalists believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. In practical terms this means women have inherently the right to self-determine and the self-autonomy to choose the medical fate of their bodies. By overturning Roe v. Wade this religious freedom is being directly attacked by the US government. How do we do Love here?

We are at a pivotal moment in our history. I will ask Rev. Forde’s question again: What would Love do here?

For our members, Love would lean in. Love would listen to the stories of women in our fellowship, should they choose to share these stories, of the decisions made, the heart-wrenching decisions made regarding their pregnancies. Love would lean in, listen with full attention and even fuller hearts. Love would lean in. We will lament and cry heartrending tears together in full awareness of the pain this ruling causes us. We, the members of Manatee Unitarian Universalist Fellowship are being asked to lean in with Love at this moment in our history. We do not travel this journey alone. We travel together with Love. We gather in Loving support of one another.

Love would respond to the harm. Our laments, our tears are powerful prayers. Together and collectively, may they bring comfort to one another. But Love must not remain only in lament. It must respond to the hurt. Love must act. Lament must be followed with acts of creative justice.

I am asking us as a fellowship to be willing to be civically engaged in this time of history. We are being called by Love to side with Love in public ways. As our UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray has prophetically proclaimed, this is no time for a casual faith. I look forward to your ideas as to how we might do this and look forward to forums to discuss our strategies and possible letter writing parties, to rallies, to marches and to voting.

Most importantly, Love one another. Be gentle with each other as these are dark times and all indications are it will get darker still. Let us hold onto Love during this time.

Blessings, Fred