Message from our Lead Minister
Oct. 27, 2020
“Faith is the energizing spirit that gives birth to our convictions, which lie deeper than our anxiety and stretch higher than our comprehension.” Tom Owen-Towle.
Faith is our monthly theme for November. Faith can be a troublesome word for Unitarian Universalists, especially when the traditional definitions of faith are applied: belief in something for which there is no proof or belief in a specific deity or the doctrines of a specific religion. For UUs, faith is more akin to trust. I like Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg’s definition: “learning to trust in our own deepest experience.”
For Unitarian Universalists, faith is not something we have but what we do, living faithful to our principles and acting on our values. Faith in action is our rallying cry.
This past weekend I was witness to some of the ways FUUN puts faith into action.
Saturday night was the Auction Celebration Event. A faithful group of volunteers put together an online auction which culminated in a fun, innovative online party. Rising to the challenge of creating this annual event during a global pandemic, the Auction Committee went above and beyond. Kudos and heartfelt thanks to Auction Chair, Jeannie Haman and all who worked with her to make it happen: Charlie Almquist, Bonnie Konz, Trigg, Jeff Stein, Christopher Cotton, and Richard Bird. Thanks also to all who donated items and to all those who bid on them. You can continue to bid on remaining items this week.
Sunday morning was an all-music service devoted to democracy. If you haven’t already seen it, be sure to check it out here on FUUN’s Youtube channel. Jaie Teifenbrunn and Jessica Moore-Lucas led a powerful service with musical participants too numerous to thank by name.
Sunday afternoon was the NOAH (Nashville Organized for Action and Hope) public meeting, which was my first opportunity to engage with this inspiring organization. I know that over the years FUUN has been a dynamic presence in NOAH, providing significant financial support and showing up in substantial numbers to bring about positive change in the greater Nashville community. (If you missed it, click here for the video or see other viewing options below).
I know many of you have been working diligently at getting out the vote. These final days before the election are bound to be filled with some anxiety. Whatever the outcome of the election, we will be called to keep the faith. No matter the outcome, racism, rampant income inequality, and climate change will still be among the realities that call for our faithful action.
The Sunday service on November 8 will be “Keeping the Faith.” It will be followed at 10 a.m. by a gathering on Zoom. Rev. Sarah Green and I will be available for those who need a place to process the election, even though we may not know the results. [If you are with us on WebinarJam for the service, you can seamlessly join us for that when the re-direct option appears at the end of the service: otherwise look for the Zoom link here next week or on our website.]
I am ever so grateful to be part of this faith community.
Yours in shared ministry,
Rev. Diane