Tree Meditation Prayer

This past weekend I attended the Renaissance Module on Worship for All ages.  One assignment was to write a prayer to use in worship.  Our Worship theme was a Large Church Multi-generational event with a multicultural theme.  The  service involved liturgy based on sticks as a metaphor for our diversity.  UUs need and enjoy prayer, but the way we approach it is often rather ginger given our issues around religious language.  So I gave it a go...

Please join me in a moment of prayer:

We lift up our hearts in celebration of the tree. 

From the ancient Californian Redwoods to the new Arborvitae edging a suburban lawn; From the Mediterranean Olive Tree to the Ginkgo Tree of Japan; Cypress, Sequoia, Cherry, Chestnut, Bodhi and Bonsai, The tree that holds the tire swing, and the tree that bears our lights and ornaments at Christmas time. 

We are grateful for the many gifts that we receive. Fruits, nuts, lumber and firewood, sap for syrup and gum for glues. For the medicines that cure the sick, the shelter they provide to our sisters the squirrels, the sparrows and the spiders. 

As we come together today, with heritages from every continent where trees grow, make us mindful of the gifts that we have to give. Help us look around and celebrate the diversity of gifts, the form and function that makes each and every one of us unique. 

We are humbled when we consider the harm that we as human beings do to our planet when we forget that the very air we breathe is a gift from the trees that surround us. Let us be mindful that all of us, humans, animals, plants… are the branches of one long family tree leading back through time to that single cell with the spark of life that unites us with this magical double helix we call DNA. 

Let us be mindful of those among us who are sick, who need medicines, produced from trees rare and wonderful and whose breath depends on our interdependence with the natural environment. Our prayers are held out for those lost in the tsunami in Japan, for those who have lost their homes or livelihoods, For our brothers and sisters in the middle east who are rising up to claim a democratic voice in Libya, Egypt, Iraq, and Afghanistan. For our soldiers and humanitarian workers, and civilian contractors who are trying to help create a space that is safe to rebuild. For the members of the press who risk their lives to try to let us know what is really happening. And yes, for those who fight against us, to protect their homes and ways of life. I pray for peace, for understanding, for harmony rather than discord in our differences. We need not all sing the same tune to make beautiful music. 

Like the wind blowing through the leaves in a vast forest of many varied and beautiful trees we are all affected by the same storms, the same rain and nourished by the same sun.  May we hold fast to our common ground and sink down our roots to be nourished in this place.

Amen, Shalom, and Blessed Be.

Where do we come from? Who are we? Where are we going?

Unitarian Universalism is a growing, evolving religion.  As religions go, we are very responsive to changes in culture and science.  In fact at times we are on the leading edge of both of these things.  Charles Darwin, the father of evolution,  was a Unitarian, and Tim Berners-Lee, the visionary behind the world wide web is a Unitarian Universalist.

But as human evolution takes us back to the apes, our religious evolutions has come through the Jewish and Christian traditions.  Where exactly we branched off is as hard to define as the shift when ape became man or when "races" formed from a single family of hominids. There are many moments where we left something behind to become more as we are today, but it is a continuing process as we become less defined by the protestantism that we were firmly grounded in as little as 100 years ago.

I have had the pleasure of late to share a Friday Evening Sabbath with a Jewish family.  I was struck by the ritual, the very ancient nature of the language and the ceremony, and the observances.  Many UUs may question the rigidity of rules that are followed by such ancient religions and find them stifling, and many modern Jews would agree and throw off the orthodox rules that don't make sense to them, however, there are aspects of these old rituals that bring order, peace, rest to even the most modern observers in this busy world. 

While Unitarian Universalism doesn't require specific spiritual practices, we do encourage our members to find ways to, as Martha Munson, my first ministerial colleague at First UU in Syracuse would say, "Live Your Religion!" 

Having ritual spiritual practices helps to ground us in our faith.  A morning meditation, a prayer or even a secular ritual of gratitude at dinner, the dedication of our children, the flower communion or water in-gathering and of course the lighting of our chalice ground us in our faith.  For some it is service such as caring for the church, or a commitment to social justice action.  For Unitarian Universalists, these rituals are by and large very new, our "traditions" have largely been formed in the 20th century, yet are drawn from a hunger for connection to the holy that stretches back down our family tree to the most ancient gathering around the sacred fire. 

As you gather with other UUs perhaps you can discuss what rituals you observe as a family.  What connects you to the Spirit of Life?  If you don't have any mindful rituals, consider getting a book of meditations from the UU bookstore and reading them with your family, or working on them alone.  Make Sunday or any other night of the week that works for you a Sabbath, to unplug, spend time with your family and give yourself rest from the frantic pace of modern society.

However you choose to "live your religion" it is a gift to your children if you share it with them and help them understand what it is about your beliefs that made you choose these specific rituals.  You will find that as they practice them, they begin to own them, and that is how faith is internalized and becomes part of their identities.  This in turn helps to shape how they go forth and create the world.

What will Unitarian Universalism look like in 100 years? 1000 years? If history is any indicator, it will look very different from the way we practice it today, however, I have no doubt that an ancient thread of humanity will continue to play it's part in defining what needs that religion meets.

Identity and Vocation...the Call

Frederick Buechner defines vocation as "the place where your deep gladness and the world's deep hunger meet."

The first time I heard that quote was a few months ago in a sermon on call by Michelle Buhite, intern minister at my the congregation I serve as DRE, the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo.  Today I read it again in the book The Courage to Teach:Exploring the inner landscape of a Teacher's Life by Parker J. Palmer.

In the past month the theme of identity has kept popping up in all of the work I do, both personal and professional. How a person defines herself and then acts determines to a great extent the integrity with which she relates to the world.  Even when you know yourself, you are at risk of not living with integrity when fear of outside judgement keeps you from living your own values, and instead trying too hard to meet what you believe to be others expectations for you.

When I began my work as a religious educator in a congregation where I was a known entity, I moved into it with ease, and I easily pleased the people I was working for.  Afterall, they had hired me with full knowledge of who I was and how I might perform my duties.

When I began my second job in the same field, I struggled at first.  I realized that people didn't know me well, and they frequently voiced expectations for how I should do my job based on how my predecessor had done her job.  I tried in vain to be like her in all the ways that had pleased people.  Then finally one day, about six months into the job, I woke up and realized that I was being "not Martha" badly.  Not only was I not living up to their expectations for how Martha did things, I wasn't doing a good job of showing them how "Sonja" did things in an authentic way.

Now, to be fair, I don't really know how much of the tension was from them really expecting me to "be" Martha, and my own insecurity in following a well loved predecessor.  I'm sure at times I projected dissatisfaction on them, when I myself felt a sense of failure at doing a poor job.  I could feel that I was not coming from place that I could authentically own.  I do know however, that when I named this problem, I received a great deal of support from the minister, and the people on the RE committee to open up to my own way of doing things.

Once I did this my relationship to the congregation changed almost instantly.  Those who I perceived to be my greatest critics were suddenly complimenting my work.  I felt more at ease with parents and teachers, and was more able to let an occasional jab from a detractor go without letting it grate at me all day.  While I do think it is very important to keep my finger on the pulse of the program, and respond to areas where people feel under served, I now feel more comfortable responding from my own experience and skill sets. 

When I am able to interact from a place of confidence in my own knowledge, or humility around my growing edges, I find that my relationships with the people in the congregation have the integrity that builds trust.  We can learn and grow together, and solve problems rather than get defensive, and angry and disappointed.

I now really love my congregation.  And I think they really like me.  For me.  And that's all either of us expect me to be. Now I feel the depth of gladness that called me to this work, and I think, I'm beginning to to feed the deep hunger that caused my congregation to invite me to serve them.  I now feel secure in my calling as their DRE.

To Infinity and Beyond

To Infinity and Beyond

Sonja Lamicela, DRE

Sermon at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo

January 2, 2010

It was Zane's first day in Sunday School. This wiry little fifth grader arrived with his two moms and two older step siblings. It was also my first day of using the Spirit Play curriculum. Spirit Play is a Story-Based Curriculum for U.U. children that is taught using the Montessori method. The storyteller sits on the floor with the children gathered around in a big circle and uses enticing props to anchor the story. The lesson was about “who can be a Unitarian Universalist?” There was a large golden circle; in the center of the circle was a flaming chalice, lit with a real flame. Surrounding that flame were laminated paper cutouts of all kinds of people: Young, old, skinny, fat, dark-skinned, Caucasian, Asian, Latino, those who used wheel chairs, and those who skipped rope. Each part has a purpose.

At the end of the telling, the story was followed by wondering questions. (At Spirit Play teacher training we are taught to never answer our own questions, but to leave it with the children to wonder.) I had left one of the cutout people outside the circle in order to ask a wondering question about how it feels to enter the circle, but before I could get that far, one of the children said “What about that person, can't he come in?” The child was already attuned to the need to be inclusive. As I got to the flaming chalice I said “I wonder what the flame represents.” Zane answered in hushed reverent tones “I think,” he said, “I think the flame is our spirit.” Just then a breeze from the doorway made the candle sputter, struggling to stay lit, then it stabilized and burned clearly again. “Sometimes,” Zane went on, “our flame almost goes out, and we feel like we're going to die, but it doesn't and by being with people who love us it gets stronger again and grows!” These are the teachable moments, steeped in synchronicity, that I live for as a religious educator.

In many Unitarian Universalist Churches, it is not uncommon for over half of our members to be what the lifers call “come-inners.” (That is people who have come into this church after the childhood years.) Sometimes they come in like Buzz Lightyear with “all the answers,” sometimes they come in with more curiosity and humility. But let's not forget about our “Woodys”—the lifers, who look out for everyone and make sure that no one gets left behind. I myself am a come-inner. I found Unitarian Universalism sixteen years ago when I was in my mid 20's. I was pregnant for my second child. At the time, I was a dabbling pagan who had been through the gamut of Christian experiences. I had also explored some Eastern religions, and was now married to an atheist. We wanted a spiritual community that we could agree upon in which to raise our children. I found Unitarian Universalism and knew I was home.

We U.U.s are excited to be a church that welcomes people of diverse backgrounds—from the un-churched, to those with rich happy backgrounds in other faiths, to those who have come with wounds from religious institutions that ground them down with shame and fear.

We are often asked: “What do Unitarian Universalists believe?” Often, at best, we have our “elevator speech” practiced to answer that question in a few sentences; at worst we “Um” and “Ah,” and then go on to define ourselves in terms of what we are NOT! And no, we are NOT, as many might think, the “church where you can believe whatever you want.” Nor are we “the anti-church.” While there is a great deal of flexibility in our personal theologies, we do have some guidelines in our Principles and Sources. (These are printed in the front of your hymnal, about 5 pages from the front cover.)

Our Third Principle: “Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations,” and our Fourth: “A free and responsible search for truth and meaning,” are paramount to our development—both as individuals and as a faith community.

It is important that we accept one another at this present step along our faith journeys, but we need to go beyond that to encourage growth and deepening of our spiritual practices and theologies.

I am frequently surprised by the number of U.U.s who have been around for several years that may know about our Principles, but are completely unaware of our Sources. One summer, some friends and I did a morning program for Unirondack Camp entirely based on the UU Sources. It was a surprise for us to see how thirsty the children were to understand how the Bible works and how deeply they connected with Earth-Centered Spirituality. The fact that we quote Mary Oliver and Ghandi more often than Jesus is justified by our raising up of “prophetic men and women,” and a healthy stream of humanist rationalism under-girds our entire outlook. But we must never let go of that pull toward “the direct experience of that transcendent mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and openness to the forces that create and uphold life.”

Attending UU denominational events, such as District Assembly, UULTI, General Assembly or a UU camp for families, are great ways to expand your concept of Unitarian Universalism. It is profoundly enriching to step outside the walls of one UU church to see how rich and varied current day practices are among other UU churches.

Because of their tendency to attend camps and district youth conferences, our Youth are often on the leading edge of Unitarian Universalist evolution. And there is much that we can learn from them.

Attending a Youth Conference is a stretching experience for adult advisors as well as Youth. We begin to challenge our concepts of how things have always been end explore what they can be. Watching Youth work through issues like stolen property and broken lights is an opportunity to hold up a mirror to our adult communities and how we handle conflict. And watching as shy freshmen turn into outspoken social justice advocates by their senior year can be astonishing.

One tool that Youth programs use is “The Six Elements of a Balanced Youth Program” which includes:

1. Worship
2. Youth and Adult Relationships
3. Leadership
4. Community Building
5. Social Action
6. Learning

I put forth that these same six elements define a well-rounded relationship for adults with their congregation.

Worship: Most of us experience worship on a regular basis (at least those of you who are in the room today), though some of our teachers rarely get that experience.

Youth and Adult Relationships: By teaching or volunteering for overnight sleepovers and field trips, you can connect with our children and Youth. Leadership is something that everyone can bring at some point or another.

Leadership: A small proportion of our congregation does a bulk of the work. This is true in most congregations, and is as it should be if we nurture new leaders, give younger adults an opportunity to claim a sense of ownership in the community, and “pass the torch” often enough to keep things fresh and avoid burnout or “fiefdoms”. For a large congregation, our volunteer base seems low. In a church of 135 members I had 40 volunteers in the RE program for 40 children. In this church we run on about 25 volunteers for over 3 times as many children. Part of that is due to the fact that our teachers commit to teaching for the full year. However, fatigue strikes when there are no relief teachers on the team. We could really use a good half dozen to a dozen more teachers—each committed to a specific RE class—so that those who teach can also worship once or twice per month. Last week and this morning I have had the joy of listening to our phenomenal choir. Here we have some 60 people dedicated to coming to church twice a week. Once to practice, and once to sing for Sunday service! What amazing work they do!

Imagine what our RE program could do with volunteer support like that!

Community Building: Community building happens at pot lucks, picnics, Souper Sunday and the like. We do that pretty well, but there is more that we can do to build relationships. If you have creative ideas, let’s make them happen!

Social Action: Social action can be a whole community project. When I went to New Orleans this Fall, I learned a lot that I could bring back to our Youth Group who are ramping up to do mission trips. At the moment, we don't have any volunteers who bring their passion for social action to the young children’s Religious Education Program. I look forward to working together with the Social Justice Committee to incorporate children in meaningful social action work. Family Promise is a huge stride in that direction. I am looking forward to watching that bloom as a whole community project in the years ahead.

Learning: And last but not least is Learning. Unitarian Universalism has a rich history, full of Heretics, Martyrs, Mystics, Transcendentalist, Political Activists, Scientists, Innovators and Healers. Many free-thinking folks are stunned to discover that our faith has evolved out of the Calvinist movement. Or that as recently as the 1960s some of our churches still said the Lord’s Prayer every week; or that our form of church governance is a throwback to the Congregationalist Movement. One way to deepen your faith as a Unitarian Universalist would be to read biographies of people like Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Sophia Lyon Fahs, Clara Barton, Susan B. Anthony, Theodore Parker, William Ellery Channing, Olympia Brown, and the list goes on and on.

As the New Year Rings in, I ask you (whether you are new to UU or a “lifer”) to consider adding to your New Year’s Resolutions how you will deepen or renew your faith this year. Our Children and Youth can teach us a lot. But, if we want to teach our children, we need to explore our own hearts first. The first minister I worked with as a DRE, Martha Munson, was fond of saying “you can't give what you ain't got!” This spring, I plan to offer a class called “Building Your Own Theology”. It is a good way to move beyond the rejection of old faith or to create a theology for yourself if you have never been to church. Rev. Joel, Rev. Michele, and I host small group ministries where you can deepen and explore with a few people at a time. And we always welcome more teachers in the RE program. And I also have portfolios to fill on the Religious Education Committee. There is so much more we could do with more volunteers. Our Long Range Plan has some very worthy, but ambitious ideas of how to make this a stronger, more vibrant community. The more of us who engage deeply in an active pursuit of our relationship to Unitarian Universalism, the more vibrant this community will be.

The Possibilities are Endless. Like Buzz and Woody, we can reconcile the old and the new and create a church that is compelling for the next generation. Do you have that Fire of Commitment that will make it happen? If so, we can take this church “To Infinity and Beyond!”