Memo from MAM September 24

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ON BELONGING and BALANCE
During our worship service Sunday, I quoted these provocative words from the late Celtic spiritual leader and writer, John O’Donohue, “The heart of the matter is you should never belong fully to something that is outside yourself. It is very important to find a balance in your belonging. You should never belong totally to any external cause or system.”  Your thoughts?
 

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY: Chalice Circle Program  
We hope to launch our small group ministry program, Chalice Circles, in October.  Stay tuned for details regarding this opportunity for deep listening and belonging here at First Unitarian Church.
 

RELIGIOUS FREEDOM
On Sunday, I spoke about Freedom of the Pulpit and Freedom of the Pew. Freedom of the pulpit declares that neither denomination, nor ministers association, nor congregation, nor community will prevent a minister in our tradition from speaking their truth as they understand it.  Just as important, Freedom of the Pew, declares that the person in the pew, in our case a chair, (whether member, friend, or visitor) are not required to agree or profess agreement with the minister.   In our Time for All Ages, we experienced these two freedoms!!

Of note, offered a brief history of these religious freedoms which began with the Edict of Torda (Torda a city in Romania) In 1568 under the leadership of Francis David, a Unitarian minister, King John Sigismund, a Unitarian and European monarch, created this most inclusive edict of religious tolerance. The “Edict of Torda” created religious freedoms for Catholics, Lutherans, Calvinists, and Unitarians in progress terms for its time.

Regarding Freedom of the Pulpit, the edict stated: “Preachers everywhere are to preach the gospel according to their understanding of it…. Let no superintendent or anyone else act violently or abusively to a preacher. No one may threaten another, on account of his teaching, with imprisonment or deprivation of office.”
What I did not mention is that there is a framed copy of a famous painting showing Francis David proudly declaring religious tolerance—-this copy is in our First Unitarian Church hallway across from the front desk on your way to the library.  I pass it every day on my way to my office. Check it out next time you are in the church building.
 
LASTLY
Mark your calendar for the Blessing of the Animals worship service on October 6.Peace, MAM
Reverend Mary Ann Macklin