bell st chapel – RI Future

December 11, 2015December 11, 2015

Human Rights Day in RI celebrates Love

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Human Rights Day was celebrated yesterday in Rhode Island with a vigil outside the Dorcas Institute in South Providence. Organized by AFSC-SENE and Jewish Voice for Peace, there were attendees from Bell St Chapel and the Sisters of Mercy, as well as a couple of “hard-core” atheists. All were gathered in community to “stand together against the hate and fear,” to welcome refugees to our state and to “stand with our Muslim brothers and sisters.”

As the organizers said, hate and fear are not working, “let us see what love can do.”

March 2, 2014March 2, 2014

The unifying experience of being alive

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Sally Gabb connects the profound and mundane. More than simple opposites, Gabb asks us to consider the spaces in between.

Do I usually look at snow in a spiritual way? Of course not. When snow arrives I have a variety of emotions: it will be pretty, but it means winter is really here. Snow will be a monstrous pain in the you know what to get out of the driveway, to get to work. Winter means cold and darkness, so while snow can be lovely, after the first experience each year I say – that’s enough!

Of course, like spirituality, we all experience weather differently. For the child it means snow men and snow angels. For the skier, snow is a blessing – it means the potential for enjoyment outdoors. For the gardener and the farmer, snow provides a protective cover for plants, and a source of much needed moisture. But all of us in New England have a relationship to snow.

We might ask, why are sunshine, light and warmth positive metaphors, including those we use in our spiritual lives? Science tells us that light – our source the sun – provides our world with energy needed to sustain life. Most of us see light as a positive force, and all spiritual traditions refer to light – to enlightenment. Because we constantly experience weather – dark and light, cold and warm, storm and calm – it is inevitable that we will create metaphors for our emotional and spiritual lives.

Actually, while I have just talked about weather conditions as opposites, weather can enable us to move away from these opposing dualities. We talk of days that are partly cloudy – a transition from sun to storm. We all relate to sunrise and dusk –the transition times between dark and light. We know that weather temperature doesn’t move directly from warm to cold, but has a period of change.

There are spiritual traditions that emphasize dualities: heaven and hell, good and evil… we prefer to see a more complex picture that reflects the complicated nature of our relationship. This non – dualistic approach was a major aspect of transcendentalism embraced by Emerson and Thoreau.

See the unity of spiritual experience across all faiths. See not the day versus night, storm versus calm, but the unifying experience of being alive…

January 12, 2014January 12, 2014

Transient and permanent

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Theodore Parker, an abolitionist, feminist and radical Unitarian preacher in Boston in the 1840s, wrote a famous (and for its time) controversial sermon, “A Discourse on the Transient and Permanent in Christianity.” Basically, he argued that even if Jesus was not found to not be divine, his ethical precepts – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” – are true, worthy guideposts for a healthy, balanced, justice seeking life.

The discussion over what is dust in the wind (transient) and a given of humanity (permanent) has been ongoing in many faith traditions. Among Unitarians and Universalists, member congregations have tried to create a big-umbrella of beliefs – a common set of ethics, and multiple ways of arriving at those ethics. Yet, even our most agreed upon common principles adapt over time, based on democratic input and reflection.

Unitarians were once a persecuted group in Eastern Europe, and Universalists turned traditional Calvinism on its head- saying God so loved the world, none would forever burn in heaven. Unitarians came to be found in New England, India, the Midwest, Jamaica, the United Kingdom, and Hungary, among other places. Universalists spread from New Jersey across the US, eventually partnering with churches in Japan.

In 1961, Unitarian and Universalist congregations in the US and Canada promised to unite in seeking …

1. To strengthen one another in a free and disciplined search for truth as the foundation of our religious fellowship;

2. To cherish and spread the universal truths taught by the great prophets and teachers of humanity in every age and tradition, immemorially summarized in the Judeo-Christian heritage as love to God and love to man;

3. To affirm, defend and promote the supreme worth of every human personality, the dignity of man, and the use of the democratic method in human relationships;

4. To implement our vision of one world by striving for a world community founded on ideals of brotherhood, justice and peace;

5. To serve the needs of member churches and fellowships, to organize new churches and fellowships, and to extend and strengthen liberal religion;

6. To encourage cooperation with men of good will in every land.

As of the latest revisions, Unitarian and Universalists congregations affirm the following principles …

1.The inherent worth and dignity of every person;

2. Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;

3. Acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations;

4. A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;

5. The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large;

6. The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all;

7. Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

Reflecting on what is transient and permanent can help us to consider what to hold on to, and what to let go, in our daily struggle to live and be together in community.

November 4, 2013November 4, 2013

Urban renewal: Springfield or All Souls

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“They were saints in their own estimation, and more terrifying than any sinners I’ve ever encountered.”

– Teresa of Avila

One of the scary realities is that evil is attractive. If evil wasn’t attractive, no one would choose it.

Unitarianism is a religion with an inspiring history – going back to Eastern Europe, and the villages and cities caught between the Catholic and Muslims Empires of the Reformation where Unitarianism first grew. From Eastern Europe, the teachings spread, first briefly, to Poland, the Netherlands, than England. Unitarianism developed in the United States, India, the Philippines, and, today, Uganda. Yet, historically, in addition to our triumphs for free thought and social good, this faith has baggage. Mark Morrison Reed’s book “Black Pioneers in a White Denomination,” offers us some words of caution and double take.

Over one hundred years ago, there was a preacher, originally from Jamaica, who began to doubt the Trinity, and found his way to Unitarianism. His name was Ethelred Egbert Brown. Brown had a vision of Unitarianism that wasn’t limited to the fancy neighborhoods of Boston, but one accessible to all people -working people, people of color. He studied at Meadville Theological School in Pennsylvania, and through much effort, founded a small but active Unitarian congregation in Harlem. His efforts were shunned by the denomination, he received minimal financial or moral support. Reportedly, the President of the Unitarian Association would hide if he heard Brown was visiting the Boston office.

The Association, the powers that be, didn’t think it a prudent investment to support a Unitarian church in Harlem. The guardians of Unitarianism thought they were being fiscally responsible. There is no Unitarian Church in Harlem today.

In the 1960s and 1970s, numerous American cities were in upheaval. The times were full of excitement, fear, demand, and hope. A politicized generation noted the glaring contrast in differing facilities and supports in neighborhoods, overcrowding and weak investment in schools, and growing demands for full civil rights were made against often crony prone city governments and aloof financial centers. This contrast produced tensions and changes. Highways were splicing and cutting against the skin of centuries old streets and houses, and tens of thousands of people were being relocated. In this context of upheaval, many urban Unitarian and Universalist churches closed, or relocated to the suburbs. “Why stay in the cities?” Many asked. “It’s not prudent,” some felt.

In Springfield, Mass, a 19th century Unitarian church voted to sell its property and move to the suburbs. The church was replaced with a parking lot. There is no Unitarian Church in Springfield today. Without the physical space, there is no community to gather and to heal.

Yet, not every city and every congregation chose to flee to the suburbs. In DC, currently home to one of the most diverse and successful congregations in the whole Unitarian-Universalist Association, a group of people at All Souls congregation had a vision. Located in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood of DC, a group of board members had a vision for a large, vibrant, progressive, multiracial religious congregation. It wasn’t easy. In fact, it took years. Yet, it happened. Generations of congregants joined together to build an active, progressive multiracial neighborhood congregation. All Souls has fed the hungry, helped the sick, and done the work of justice.

History doesn’t move in a line. There are choices to be made. What type of congregation do we want to be? Do we want to be Springfield or All Souls?

September 22, 2013September 23, 2013

Call to Worship: Where peace must be practiced

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The following reflection was delivered by Kate Gillis, a retired educator and life-long Unitarian. Gillis asks, us to consider those who are seekers. She writes, “The path to truth is not well lit. We move in and out of illumination as we go and we see our way more clearly sometimes than others.”

“Love is the spirit of this church, and service is its law. This is our great covenant: to dwell together in peace, to seek the truth in love, and to help one another.”

Each week I join with all of you in saying the Unison Affirmation. Since I have it memorized, I am free to look around while I am saying the words.

By the time we are halfway through saying the affirmation, my eyes have usually centered on the large painting that is behind the pulpit. I am almost always drawn to looking at it by the time we are saying the last three phrases of the Affirmation, the part that says “To dwell together in peace, To seek the truth in love, and to help on another.” As I say the word “dwell” I look at the building or house that is in the middle of the picture. “Dwell” — dwelling. That house represents someone’s home – my home, other people’s homes. That is where peace must be practiced. I can focus on that house in the picture and fill it with energy to radiate peace to all who enter. If that house represents all the houses in the world and they were all filled with peace, then maybe we could all dwell together in peace.

As we recite the next phrase, “To seek the truth in love” my eyes go to the figures on the road. From a distance and even close up it is not possible to really see any details in these figures. So again they can represent all of us, all people who are seekers. The two people and the horse and cart are moving towards us. They are in the sunlight but have just left the shadows and will soon move into the shadows again. The path to truth is not well lit. We move in and out of illumination as we go and we see our way more clearly sometimes than others.

And then the last phrase “To help one another” brings my eyes right to the two people. Each of them is traveling along the road with the other. They have each other to help carry their burdens and to share riding on the horse. They can talk to each other and offer encouragement and comfort as needed as they proceed on their journey.

In the Unison Affirmation, the three phrases about dwelling, seeking and helping, are the supporting details for the initial statement – “Love is the spirit of this church and service is its law”. In the painting the people and house are also the details of a larger painting.

The main object in the painting is the snow covered mountain. It is a massive mountain that reaches up into the clouds. For me this is a perfect symbol for love, for the divine spirit. People have always been drawn to mountains as the homes of the gods. Often temples have been built on the highest location possible. When I am standing on top of a mountain with a cleared peak, I can see for miles and soak up the majesty of the ongoing land and the vastness of the sky. It can feel like a love that encompasses all.

The other objects in the painting represent some suggestions of what else is part of our world. On the left is a second path. The people are traveling on one road but the presence of the second path suggests all the many possible roads there are to travel. There is also a substantial rushing stream or river. Water. I am so glad water is in the painting. We cannot live without water. Our lives are entwined with the salt water of the sea. In the foreground of the painting are boulders, rocks – the holders of the memories of the earth. There is also a meadow and some trees, homes for some of earth’s creatures.

All of these things call out when I say the phrase “And service is its law.” If I love all these things, want a healthy vibrant earth, want peace, want to be free to seek the truth and live with other people then my law must be service. I must consciously act in ways that work to preserve our beautiful blue-green planet home, the earth.

September 8, 2013September 9, 2013

Call to Worship: Common Humanity

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This 1917 article written by Rev. Arthus Winn, reinforces the hope that our future of our growing diversities of class interests, racial national pejudices and purposes will also enable us to grow interdepencence, respect and cooperation that will enable us all to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of future peace. Such wise wisdom expressed so many years ago.

Common Humanity (slightly adapted)

If there is any age which needs to see life steadily and see it whole it is our own. If there is any time when men need to see things together, when they need to see deeply enough to see musically, when they need some principle that will unite the competing yet complementary forces into harmony, it is the present. At a time when the tendency of life is to ever greater and wider differentiations, when individual peculiarities are emphasized, and humans tasks are specialized, our hope for the future is that the growing diversities of class interests, racial and national prejudices and purposes there will also be “a growing interdependence and respect and cooperation,” enabling us all to keep the unity of the spirit in the bonds of peace.

And when the deeper view is taken and not the mere surface view, we discover that the things that bind us together are greater and more abiding than the things that separate. Religion is learning the lesson; nay sectarian disputes, subtle and profitless dogmatic wrangles and theological bickerings which once absorbed so much of the thought of the religious world have already in large measure passed away. And it is not an unreasonable attitude to cherish the belief that some day statesmanship will be guided by a wisdom which discovers how much we all have in common. It is a vain thing to imagine that national differences will be eliminated. Indeed to prospect now is that national differences will be intensified, rather than lost; and yet, the time will come when inspired by the view that unites, the nations with national pride undiminished will be drawn closer together in the unity of the spirit because they have given thought to the things that make for peace.

Despite the clash of arms and the shock of strife the fact of our common humanity abides. At bottom human nature is one… The socialists have been surprised that the tie of nationality was stronger than the tie of class. We shall yet learn of the tie of humanity is stronger and more permanent than the tie of class or nation.

Call to Worship is a regular Sunday series written and curated by some of the folks from the Bell Street Chapel, a Unitarian Universalist church on the West End of Providence. Click here for more on this series. And here for the archives.