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The Rev. Dr. Carl Gregg suggested that it’s time to sharpen our pitchforks: “I invite you to open the imagination of your mind and the compassion of your heart to what becomes possible whenever we all join together in solidarity across ever-increasing circles of inclusion. Together we can accomplish far more than any of us can alone.” (Carl Gregg, September 12)
Doug Muder noted that many fortunate people too easily give up the fight: “[But there’s] a moral death in that direction. Once you start not looking, not seeing, not worrying about things that don’t affect you, the part of the world you have to ignore keeps growing. Eventually, you have to start ignoring more or less everything.” (The Weekly Sift, July 2)
The Rev. Amy Shaw measured what we lost in the seventeen years since 9/11: “On that day no one stopped to ask ‘Are you a citizen?’ before they stopped to help. . . . Dust and poisons coated people until no one could tell what color anyone had started as. . . .
And then we went on. . . .
And in 2016 we elected a monster to the highest seat in our country. A monster who would destroy all that called us to join together on that terrible day.” (Facebook, September 11)
Deep conversations
The Rev. Joanna Fontaine Crawford wrote that congregations are not debate clubs: “I think that the reason why we so often do not have those deep conversations in our churches is because so many people are not interested in debate. They’re craving dialogue, where the people involved are not trying to convince each other, or ‘win,’ but instead share ideas and explore new thoughts without coercion. It is a vulnerable thing to share our beliefs, knowing they may open us up for ridicule or scorn.” (Boots and Blessings, August 21)
Liz James tried to have a deep conversation with her son, whose side of the conversation consisted of wisdom like this: “Love is like farts. It usually dissipates quickly, and if you have to force it, it’s probably crap.” (Facebook, August 29)
Spiritual sustenance
The Rev. Dr. Victoria Weinstein wrote that spiritual sustenance is essential to aging with grace: “Cresting the arc of existence and heading toward our death is no less difficult and requires just as many supportive resources as does early childhood. The most powerful resource, however, is the individual spiritual life.” (Facebook, July 19)
Chris Crass, moving through the pain of divorce, affirmed his belief in the power of healing: “I believe in my capacity to open to pain and let the universe shine through and heal the wounds. I believe in the path I’ve been set on, even as I curse it. . . . I am broken open to the divine, to the universe and while I am deeply confused by the path, I know I am on a pilgrimage that is and will expand my heart and soul.” (Facebook, July 19)
Marchaé Grair posted: “Those of us who hurt on Sunday mornings aren’t as alone as we think. We are the future of faith and spirituality. . . . We will keep pushing for spaces that affirm identity and prioritize accountability. May those of us who hurt on Sunday morning continue to heal. And may it be glorious. Amen.” (Facebook, September 16)
Grateful for the feast
The Rev. Lynn Ungar summed up her religion in three simple sentences: “Bring the best you have to offer. Be fed by what is on the table. Be grateful for the feast.” (Facebook, July 27)
The Rev. Meredith Garmon is grateful for religious belonging: “I have found . . . deep satisfaction from being a member of the Unitarian Universalist ‘tribe.’ Belongingness in a community of care and concern is a deep human need. Many such communities—including Unitarian Universalist ones—work at mitigating the negative, insular aspects that some communities develop.” (The Liberal Pulpit, September 5)