Religious Education Update: January 13, 2008
Celebrating Our UUP Family-
“Think of a time when you have felt truly welcomed. Maybe it was coming home after a long time away. Maybe someone took you in when you were far from home. Relive those feelings for a moment. Feel that warmth again; see those smiles and feel those arms embracing you. What a gift it is to be welcomed.”
-Rev. Peter Morales, UU Minister
The Rev. Peter Morales teaches us that this physical or emotional embrace is spiritually moving. He writes, “It touches something very deep in us—our profound human longing to feel accepted, to belong, to be loved, to feel safe, to be valued and respected.”
I have seen the hospitality Rev. Morales describes in action. When teens arrive at UU youth conferences, they are immediately embraced by their peers. When I pull into the parking lot at our district’s UU Family Camp, someone will shout, “Marlene is here!”, and I receive hugs all around. And, I see it at UUP on Sunday mornings, when our wonderful greeters welcome friends and strangers to our community.
I believe that one of the most important tasks of a religious community is to build connections between its members. Children long for this, and will describe it as wanting to have friends at church. Often, who is in their RE classes on a given Sunday is more important to them than what is taught. Children also need to feel valued and respected by the adults here at UUP. It matters deeply when you chat with them and learn their names.
This spiritual discipline of hospitality can fortunately be lots of fun. We won’t ask you to fast or walk over hot coals. Everyone has an opportunity to practice this art next Saturday evening, right here at the Women’s Club. Please come to our Community Celebration Potluck! We’d love to see you there!
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
“Think of a time when you have felt truly welcomed. Maybe it was coming home after a long time away. Maybe someone took you in when you were far from home. Relive those feelings for a moment. Feel that warmth again; see those smiles and feel those arms embracing you. What a gift it is to be welcomed.”
-Rev. Peter Morales, UU Minister
The Rev. Peter Morales teaches us that this physical or emotional embrace is spiritually moving. He writes, “It touches something very deep in us—our profound human longing to feel accepted, to belong, to be loved, to feel safe, to be valued and respected.”
I have seen the hospitality Rev. Morales describes in action. When teens arrive at UU youth conferences, they are immediately embraced by their peers. When I pull into the parking lot at our district’s UU Family Camp, someone will shout, “Marlene is here!”, and I receive hugs all around. And, I see it at UUP on Sunday mornings, when our wonderful greeters welcome friends and strangers to our community.
I believe that one of the most important tasks of a religious community is to build connections between its members. Children long for this, and will describe it as wanting to have friends at church. Often, who is in their RE classes on a given Sunday is more important to them than what is taught. Children also need to feel valued and respected by the adults here at UUP. It matters deeply when you chat with them and learn their names.
This spiritual discipline of hospitality can fortunately be lots of fun. We won’t ask you to fast or walk over hot coals. Everyone has an opportunity to practice this art next Saturday evening, right here at the Women’s Club. Please come to our Community Celebration Potluck! We’d love to see you there!
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
posted by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma @ 10:14 PM
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