I am writing these words on Tuesday evening after digesting the news from Belgium of explosions, deaths and injuries and the merging results of the primary and caucus voting in Arizona, Idaho and Utah. My heart hurts and my mind is churning. Are our world and country really as fractured and frightening as they seem?
Earlier in the day I learned of a UU congregation in the Midwest whose Board issued a public statement of not supporting the actions of their minister. What did the minister do? She joined with other clergy at a press conference to call for a conversation with the local police department about racial profiling. It seems the church leadership was embarrassed by their minister’s stand – even though she made it quite clear in her statement that she was speaking for herself.
More than 50 years ago when UU ministers journeyed to Selma in response to Dr. King’s call for help, some were supported and encouraged by their congregations. Others were harshly criticized. Looking back, it seems a no-brainer to be proud of those who acted, but at the time it was a risky choice. Just as now ministers and congregations that speak out for Black Lives are subject to criticism and threats. Signs are ripped down over and over.
Although we at UUP have not taken up the question as a congregation of proclaiming Black Lives Matter, I did join with numerous UU clergy today in signing a letter encouraging all of us to “take risks for justice” and to wake up “to the realities of racism in our communities.” If you want to learn more check out this letter from the Black Lives Unitarian Universalist Organizing Collective https://medium.com/@BlackLivesUU/bluu-risk-statement-to-uu-congregations-9730cee5300e#.4115mlvyt and go here to read the letter I signed. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19cGhKBzD477R_e68x0kn0sVhUBvat2pkgCan28dA5ys/edit
Speaking out for justice is a UU minister’s rock-bottom responsibility and the congregation’s, too. I have not done it nearly enough in my time with you. I am inspired by Ingrid and Kay and Carol and George and Ruth and Karen and many others who are standing up in various ways for needed changes – most recently calling for Petaluma to address rising rents, evictions and lack of affordable housing.
Our friends at the UU Santa Rosa congregation have been paying attention to housing issues, as well as staying connected with the slow developing response to the shooting of Andy Lopez in October 2013. Sonoma County is forming an independent office to provide civilian oversight of law enforcement. See below for details about a showing of the film Peace Officer organized by Community for Oversight of Law Enforcement and co-sponsored by Santa Rosa’s Advocates for Social Justice and UUP’s Social and Environmental Responsibility Team. Come learn how relationships between communities and police can be addressed in Sonoma County.
Working for justice is pressing for change – necessary change and then there are changes brought about by stage of life, as in getting older, and growth, as in the next step on a life path. Jim Lewis tells you below about the next steps coming for him. And in the Announcements Leslie Harrison, chair of the Religious Education Committee, outlines the process for hiring a new Director of Religious Education. Yes, change is coming to UUP… and there is also plenty of continuity and plenty of time for talking over and sorting through the choices for the future.
In faith and love,
Reverend Mary