Unitarian Universalist Church at Washington Crossing

The first and last Unitarian Universalist principles are my guiding lights in ministry and in life. They don’t always point to specific actions or positions I should take, but they set the groundwork for my decisions. We the member congregations of the UUA covenant to affirm and promote: “the inherent worth and dignity of every person” … and “respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part.”

I am drawn to these two principles, especially during challenging times. If we can strive to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person we encounter, it is a major accomplishment. Of course, I am not always able to do this as well as I intend. But when I keep this principle before me, it helps keep me from being too harsh or judgmental on the one hand and too self-denying on the other.

As we move into May, there are two challenges where we as individuals and as a congregation need to be reminded of these UU principles. Our annual financial stewardship process is one of those challenges. utilities and the mortgage need to be paid. And surely, UUCWC is an employer responsible for its employees.

Each of us has inherent worth and dignity and is part of an interdependent web of existence in many ways, especially when it comes to our community of faith, hope, love, and action. Our strength as a congregation depends on how we join together to support our shared vision and mission. one way it depends on us is that it calls for our financial contribution. if you were ever tempted to think that your contribution of time and treasure won’t be missed, know that will. You are needed. if you haven’t made a pledge yet, please do so today. If you have made your pledge, thank you for your generosity.

A second challenge we face centers on the conflict between some of the practices of the national board of the Boy Scouts of America and our UU movement. The national board and leaders of BSA (not all the local scout groups) do not accept scouts or leaders whom they know are gay or consider themselves agnostic or atheist . As a UU Welcoming congregation, we stress our full acceptance of people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender, as well as heterosexual. and we UUs have long included those who believe in god as well as those who do not.

This challenge – and, i think, opportunity – comes because a boy who has grown up in our congregation wants to create a labyrinth for us as an Eagle Scout project. There are those who feel that to do so would be counter to our principles. Others feel not to do so would be counter to our principles. It is my hope that we will come back to our principles about inherent worth and dignity and our interconnected web of existence. I hope we will continue the helpful and open discussion that was started on April 18.