Religious Education Update: June 8, 2008
The Power of Community
Later today, the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma will ordain our good friend Leland Bond-Upson, our regular Guest Minister during this congregation’s formative years. Through the tradition of congregational polity, a form of governance in the American Unitarian Association since 1825, congregations have the right to elect their own leadership. There is no bishop or ruling council “somewhere else” that dictates our choices. Our current national organization, the Unitarian Universalist Association, retained the AUA view of congregational autonomy when it formed in 1961.
Our congregation will ordain Lee in a formal service today, but as Lee notes in a recent letter, he has already been called into ministry through his relationship with us, “ … when the UUs of Petaluma and I got together, and I began to preach there once a month, something good began, and it grew and deepened over the five years, and after it ended, I realized I had been called to ministry at last. “ In today’s service, we will formally recognize, honor, and celebrate Lee’s status as a UU minister in our hearts and in his own.
Today’s service is one example of how a congregation has power that is greater than the sum of its members acting individually. No individual can ordain another in Unitarian Universalism, but as a collective body, we consecrate Lee into the ministry. This gift flows both ways, I believe. Our community helped Lee receive his calling, and his care, love, wisdom and concern helped us through bumps and growing pains, as we grew up to be the young congregation we are today.
Thank you, Lee, for blessing us through your time with us. We offer you our love and good wishes as you continue in your life’s ministry in our faith.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
Later today, the Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma will ordain our good friend Leland Bond-Upson, our regular Guest Minister during this congregation’s formative years. Through the tradition of congregational polity, a form of governance in the American Unitarian Association since 1825, congregations have the right to elect their own leadership. There is no bishop or ruling council “somewhere else” that dictates our choices. Our current national organization, the Unitarian Universalist Association, retained the AUA view of congregational autonomy when it formed in 1961.
Our congregation will ordain Lee in a formal service today, but as Lee notes in a recent letter, he has already been called into ministry through his relationship with us, “ … when the UUs of Petaluma and I got together, and I began to preach there once a month, something good began, and it grew and deepened over the five years, and after it ended, I realized I had been called to ministry at last. “ In today’s service, we will formally recognize, honor, and celebrate Lee’s status as a UU minister in our hearts and in his own.
Today’s service is one example of how a congregation has power that is greater than the sum of its members acting individually. No individual can ordain another in Unitarian Universalism, but as a collective body, we consecrate Lee into the ministry. This gift flows both ways, I believe. Our community helped Lee receive his calling, and his care, love, wisdom and concern helped us through bumps and growing pains, as we grew up to be the young congregation we are today.
Thank you, Lee, for blessing us through your time with us. We offer you our love and good wishes as you continue in your life’s ministry in our faith.
Marlene Abel
Director of Religious Education
posted by Unitarian Universalists of Petaluma @ 9:21 PM
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