Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself,
I am large, I contain multitudes. ~ Walt Whitman
The theme for February is Identity and the goal is to embrace our contradictions, our imperfections, and our hidden parts. Being a Unitarian Universalist is not like many religions where beliefs and identity are strictly outlined and followers are expected to conform; UU churches are large and contain multitudes. This is both wonderful and at the same time challenging. As one minister put it: In a sense, every UU congregation hangs two signs on their front doors: One that reads “Hidden Parts Allowed in the Open!” And another that says “Contradictions Welcome!”
A founding member, Helen Solomon, wrote a history of Liberal Religion in the Chattanooga area that I highly recommend. Copies are in the cabinet underneath the nametags in the social hall. UUCC began as a fellowship in the early 1950’s before the merger of the Universalists and the Unitarians, though the continued presence of both Universalists and Unitarians in the Chattanooga area can be traced back as early as the late 19th century. The fellowship that evolved into UUCC began with 20 families and tremendous support from our denominational headquarters. According to Helen, the fellowship chose to call itself, The Chattanooga Unitarian Church after “considerable discussion,” and called its first minister in 1959. Prior to that services were led by members, community leaders, as well as many visiting ministers. Today, UUCC still enjoys member led services and wonderful variety of guest speakers.
I am sure the discussion around naming the fellowship Helen referred to was lively because the debate lives on today with some at UUCC who feel uncomfortable with “Church” in our name. Within our walls, we welcome Atheists, Humanists, Christians, Buddhists, Pagans, Muslims, Agnostics, and Theists. Forrest Church points out in his essay, “21st Century Universalism,” that we aren’t even required to believe in our own name! How’s that for a contradiction? As a minister, I hear from many people in this congregation who are not comfortable being open about their religious identity, especially theists. I also hear from others who are unhappy with the service because it seems too Christian-centered. The challenge for UUCC as you articulate your identity and mission is to recognize that Unitarian Universalism requires us to be large and contain multitudes and to find ways to meet the needs of everyone with generosity and understanding.
While we work on our mission statement derived from the values and principles gathered during Mission Month, let’s find time to talk to one another about how we can allow our hidden parts to be open and welcome our contradictions as creative possibilities. Perhaps it is time to add a second service? We have often said we wear our heart on our sleeves, but when we choose to make a statement by the t-shirts we wear, we are wearing our identity on our chest. I invite you to wear a t-shirt that embodies your identity on February 19th. We’ll will celebrate our diversity! We will call it, “Who are UU Sunday?
See you in church!
Cathy