“Ask yourself: What parts of my story are holding me back?”
How do you feel about change?
In 2024, the gathered representatives of Unitarian Universalist congregations from across the nation adopted a statement of seven values. On Sunday I spoke about one of them, pluralism, and how it is reflected in our own North Parish congregation.
Another of those values is transformation. (It might be hard for a certain generation to use that word without thinking about the popular action figures and science fiction movies.)
The UU Association statement says, “We collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically. Openness to change is fundamental to our Unitarian and Universalist heritages.”True.
“Openness to change” is also quite challenging for many people, families, congregations, religions, and nations. Kelly Buckley writes, “We all carry narratives about who we are and where we belong. But when life shifts, those old stories might not fit anymore… Ask yourself: What parts of my story are holding me back?”
Maybe you don’t feel “held back” by your own personal story at all. Maybe you do. What about asking the question of wider circles? Are there parts of your family’s story that are holding you back? Are there parts of our national story that are holding us back as a nation? Are parts of our North Parish story or the wider Unitarian Universalist story that are holding us back? Do the old stories fit or are there new stories waiting to be told?
Curious, waiting to find out, and hoping- in some quarters- for dramatic change,
Rev. LeeP.S. If you missed our Ingathering/ Water Communion service and wonder what words members of the congregation use most to describe the larger whole of which we are a part, you can read those words here.
To make an appointment with Rev. Lee, click here.
Email: RevLee@northparish.org
Phone: 978-687-7948