What Will Become of our New Space - Raising a Temple
Kenneth Patton, the storied Universalist minister of the mid-20th Century wrote:
“We have been warned against leaving the temples of our upbringing, but we have discovered that every temple in which men and women have worshiped is also our temple, if we enter it with the spirit of our common search for goodness of life.”
…What are the three things you should not talk about at a dinner party? Money, Religion and Politics. Why? These are three subjects that tend to separate people – break them into factions, make them want to hurl mashed potatoes at each other’s faces.
Welcome to the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling website. It is an honor to greet you, as it is an honor to serve this warm and vibrant congregation. My service here brings me great joy. Here are a few of the reasons why:
The members and friends of our community come together on Sundays and throughout the week hoping that together we will build something worthy of our energy and befitting our dreams. We work toward a respectful embrace of diversity. We create a worshipful environment that helps us access truth, beauty, comfort and support. We sustain a community that responds ethically to the needs of our world. We support a religious exploration program that encourages critical thinking, provides exciting curricula and establishes lasting mentorship roles. We believe in ourselves and our purpose. With our ministry we honor the awesome role that our liberal religious denomination plays in our increasingly diverse and multicultural world. We know we can make a difference. We do each and every day.
If you would like to learn more about our congregation, I welcome you to visit us for our Sunday morning worship. Our services begin at 10:30, and we are located at 22135 Davis Drivein Sterling, Virginia. We will be glad to speak to you about our congregation and your interests after the service. We hold an Inquirer’s class (a way to learn a bit about Unitarian Universalism and our congregation) the first Sunday of every month.
If you are ready to learn more about Unitarian Universalism now, you may wish to browse the Unitarian Universalist Association page at www.uua.org, or you are welcome to contact our congregation’s office.
I look forward to meeting you, and I wish you well on your search for a religious home.
January: After the Christmas Holiday, After the Solstice
I woke early on Tuesday, December 22, the morning after the solstice, and looking out into the deep black sky wrested gratitude for the morning – the first day of winter – the first day, after so many, that would bring more light than the last. The solstice has now come and gone. The Christmas holiday, the Kwanza holiday, Hanukah, and New Years Eve have all come and gone. January is a month marked by the absence of intrigue, by our slowing pace, by the stillness of deep winter. May we remember, as this month stretches out, to count the daily blessing of increased light. The winter is long and dark but it is not without promise.
BRIDGES stands for Building Relationships for Interfaith Dialogue, Goodwill and Service. Loudoun Interfaith BRIDGES is our local interfaith organization. I serve with Debra Dalby from the Goose Creek Quaker Meeting as the BRIDGES co-secretary. Last year the Unitarian Universalists of Sterling board voted to make UUS a member congregation of BRIDGES.
