Let's start talking!
Hello, Fellow Northeast Iowa UU Fellowship bloggers!
This blog space is reserved for discussions of our choosing. I would like to invite you to make an initial contribution to the blog by submitting suggestions for topics. I have a few ideas, such as grouping discussions by the various committees we have in our organization, e.g. membership and financial issues, social concerns (and community relations), ministry and programs, education, hospitality. I also think it would be good to have some theological or philosophical discussions going, e.g., how do theists and atheists relate within our group? how do mystics and scientists dialogue? how can we effectively deal with fundamentalist thinking in our society?
What say you all?
Bill
This blog space is reserved for discussions of our choosing. I would like to invite you to make an initial contribution to the blog by submitting suggestions for topics. I have a few ideas, such as grouping discussions by the various committees we have in our organization, e.g. membership and financial issues, social concerns (and community relations), ministry and programs, education, hospitality. I also think it would be good to have some theological or philosophical discussions going, e.g., how do theists and atheists relate within our group? how do mystics and scientists dialogue? how can we effectively deal with fundamentalist thinking in our society?
What say you all?
Bill
posted by NEIUUF Webmaster | 10:30 AM
9 Comments:
Bill,
Bill,
Great ideas. While everyone of them could fit with members of the NEIUUF, I think there are some that could fit everyone in the area and to which there might be some interesting responses. Question remains as to how the local citizens can be reached.
1. Community Social Concerns.
2. Community relationships.
3. Community programs.
4. Community education and discussion.
5. Discussions with/between all community members.
6. Religion, philosophy and science and what it means for me as an everyday human trying to make a reasonably fulfilling life.
7. How do we get beyond fundamentalist/liberal/progressive, conservative thinking to deal with issues that matter to real life?
Still trying to answer a lot of the above myself (even for myself), but think that we need to talk to everyone (pro-/con-), all of us together vs. us-against them.
We've got a lot going for this region. We also have some disagreements/problems to work on socially, political level. Spiritually, philosophically and even religiously we may be in a good posiiton as Unitarian/Universalists to work with the entire community to
help in all of our community, together, reaching an even greater quality of life and a more meaningful quality of life.
End of philosophical sermonizing. I'd like to work with others in finding how to improve our community, helping other communities find their unique solutions, and doing so with the idea of improving everyones quality and value of life without hurting others.
Bill, thanks for this great opportunity and all the work you've done to get things up and running. Others, in Decorah, hope to see you here soon.
Erik in Decorah
Bill,
Great ideas. While everyone of them could fit with members of the NEIUUF, I think there are some that could fit everyone in the area and to which there might be some interesting responses. Question remains as to how the local citizens can be reached.
1. Community Social Concerns.
2. Community relationships.
3. Community programs.
4. Community education and discussion.
5. Discussions with/between all community members.
6. Religion, philosophy and science and what it means for me as an everyday human trying to make a reasonably fulfilling life.
7. How do we get beyond fundamentalist/liberal/progressive, conservative thinking to deal with issues that matter to real life?
Still trying to answer a lot of the above myself (even for myself), but think that we need to talk to everyone (pro-/con-), all of us together vs. us-against them.
We've got a lot going for this region. We also have some disagreements/problems to work on socially, political level. Spiritually, philosophically and even religiously we may be in a good posiiton as Unitarian/Universalists to work with the entire community to
help in all of our community, together, reaching an even greater quality of life and a more meaningful quality of life.
End of philosophical sermonizing. I'd like to work with others in finding how to improve our community, helping other communities find their unique solutions, and doing so with the idea of improving everyones quality and value of life without hurting others.
Bill, thanks for this great opportunity and all the work you've done to get things up and running. Others, in Decorah, hope to see you here soon.
Erik in Decorah
Bill,
A theme that I see within our little fellowship is helping the greater community. I believe this to be a noble and worthy cause, and am happy with the efforts we've given thus far.
I'd now like to direct our focus within our community by building and strengthening the relationships between us in NEIUUF. The conversations we begin in the "large" group setting of our services are wonderful. I am intrigued with the possible conversations that erupt in small groups....perhaps organized, similar to the bible study model that traditional Christian churches use.
Brenda Darling
Erik and Brenda:
Thanks for your suggestions. Apparently you did not experience difficulty in accessing this blog, which others seem to have experienced. Glad to get the ball rolling. The holidays will, however, keep many of us from active blogging. If I fail to respond, please keep the conversation going!!!!! I'm watching the kids ...
I agree with comments here by all of you that the NEIUUF can be the catalyst for dialogue within the NE Iowa community, on many issues. For instance, it's great that we'll have an active role in the forum in March in the public schools with Ruth Jenkins possibly serving as the NEIUUF rep as well as the rep from Luther. Along those lines, I'd really like to see us as a congregation move toward the "Welcoming Congregation" status awarded by the national UU assoc. I'm so proud of what we all have done so far and very excited about the many journeys we'll be going on together as a progressive spiritual community.
Hi,
I am not an official member yet, but I am excited by the forming of this UU Fellowship. Some of the topics I have been pondering for some time include:
1. How do children fit into this congregation? I like that Sue Otte is talking about family rituals in a community discussion, but what about community rituals? They were important to me growing up in my church community, and I think kids really relate to ritual. I think it's important to have these kind of things happen in larger groups and not only in the nuclear family. How can UU incorporate meaningful rituals to mark & celebrate the stages of children's growth & develpment?
2. Spritual education: both for children & adults. I like that the UU is so interested in social concerns and community action; this is a great place to start, but I hope other branches will grow also. I think the bible series with R.S. is excellent. I hope to see spiritual education continue in other forms. I am especially interested to see how this can be implemented for kids. I know it's hard with such a small group right now, with kids at different ages. What about ordering a UU sunday school curriculum that parents can take turns borrowing to use at home?
3. On a personal note, I am just wondering if others have felt a loss at letting go of a previous church they belonged to, or at leaving behind the culture, in a sense, that they grew up with. I am surprised at myself that I feel this sense of loss when I think about officially joining UU and not "being" a "Catholic" or a "Lutheran" anymore like the rest of my family is. I really feel like UU fits my beliefs and ideals more than these other groups. And for a long time I rejected those other organized religions. Yet now that I no longer have any judgement about them, & I have a new appreciation of their good aspects, it's not as easy to reject them outright as it would have been when I was younger. The church was my extended family growing up, and it's surprisingly hard to move into a new family. (Even though I have felt more welcomed at the UU than at either of the other churches I have been attending over the past year!) Part of it may be that the feelings associated with what you have always known are so comfortable. UU feels comfortable too, but does not evoke that FEELING for me that probably happens at the other churches because it developed from all that mystery and emotion that goes along with the church experience that gets ingrained as you are growing up. Anyway, I don't think intellectual reasons are going to be enough for me to join a church. So for me, I am going to be exploring the potential for emotional and spiritual connection that going to UU can offer. And I think some of that comes back to things like ritual, music, prayer (in whatever of various forms it takes), exploring deeper mysteries and it can't always be at the intellectual level. It can't always just be lectures and discussions. I am seeking intelligence and action, but also spiritual connection and empowerment, and I believe that these are real, tangible things that can be enhanced and developed through specific action and understanding. Thanks for reading, and for any responses you might have! -Amy
Amy,
I have had the same questions regarding the spiritual education of our children in the past few weeks.
I think with the new families that have joined in the past few months, we now have quite a few kids at each service and it is time to focus on forming their Sunday experience as well.
Ruth H and I have talked about the possibility of using the NEI center on aging space, adjacent to the senior center, as a space to take the kids after the sharing of joy's and concerns and then bring them back after the message for closing hymns, announcements and extinguishing of the chalice.
Your post is motivating me to pick up the phone right now and call.
Oh, and yes, many of us morn the religious traditions we left behind. Though we no longer agree with their beliefs, we still have fond memories of the people and activies we participated in while being part of that community.
Brenda Darling
Hey members and friends of NEIUUF,
It's now October of 2008 and our fellowship celebrates more than 5 years. Yesterday we met at Luther's Baker Commons to look at where we are now, and to brainstorm some goals for our future. It is heart warming for me, and Bill too, I think, to feel the enthusiasm that continues for this unique spiritual group that we helped start. It now has a life of its own, with many dedicated and interested members who feel it satisfies a need in our community. Maybe you'll find this space a place to continue our discussions. (If you weren't able to be at our retreat, you'll be hearing about it soon)Let the conversation begin.............again!
Post a Comment
<< Home