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Becoming an Ancestor
Submitted by Kevin Murray on Thu, 06/28/2007 - 4:04am.
But I don't want to miss the opportunity for a final reflection on GA 2007 closing ceremony, especially the sermon by Rev. Josh Pawelek of Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, CT. That sermon is also on the UUA site.
His sermon was entitled, "Becoming An Ancestor," and it was dedicated to Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, a much loved UU minister who passed away at the end of 2006.
For Pawelek, ancesterhood is about doing things in our lives that build, preserve, and pass on traditions to future generations. Obviously, there are many ways to do this, but Pawelek gave particular attention to the work of building a tradition of anti-racism and multiculturalism within Unitarian Universalism. In this regard, Pawelek identified himself as a supporter of the Journey Toward Wholeness, the initiative through which UUs continue down this path.
This journey does not take place in the abstract. Pawelek challenged UUs to build the path by walking it. The Journey Toward Wholeness requires that UU congregations be in "right relationship" to people of color in their communities. Such a relationship requires "showing up" when the rights and the aspirations of people of color are on the line. But it isn't enough to just show up. In showing up, UUs must make use their power in ways that are accountable to people of color.
Rev. Pawelek recited a long litany of ways in which UUs have power, but he didn't provide a lot of detail about what it means to make that power accountable. Perhaps an opportunity was lost here. Progress on the journey will require more clarity about that accountability. Does the Gulf Coast Volunteer Program amount to showing up in a way that is accountable?
UUSC was one of the sources of power mentioned in the litany of UU power sources. That welcomes the Service Committee into a reflection on the accountability of its own power to people of color and others. Such a reflection is underway, although it is in its very early stages.
Josh Pawelek's consideration of the place of anti-racism and multiculturalism in the legacy of today's Unitarian Universalism was an appropriate capstone for a GA that was very much oriented toward these themes. I understood this as a strong statement by Rev. Sinkford and his leadership team that they intend to take long, sure steps on the Journey Toward Wholeness during these next two years. Are we ready to walk with them?
GA 2007 in Portland is now part of the collective history of the 7000 attendees. Those of us who made the trip across this huge country are, for the most part, back in our homes, and the video presentations of key GA events are already up on uua.org.
But I don't want to miss the opportunity for a final reflection on GA 2007 closing ceremony, especially the sermon by Rev. Josh Pawelek of Unitarian Universalist Society: East in Manchester, CT. That sermon is also on the UUA site.
His sermon was entitled, "Becoming An Ancestor," and it was dedicated to Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley, a much loved UU minister who passed away at the end of 2006.
For Pawelek, ancesterhood is about doing things in our lives that build, preserve, and pass on traditions to future generations. Obviously, there are many ways to do this, but Pawelek gave particular attention to the work of building a tradition of anti-racism and multiculturalism within Unitarian Universalism. In this regard, Pawelek identified himself as a supporter of the Journey Toward Wholeness, the initiative through which UUs continue down this path.
This journey does not take place in the abstract. Pawelek challenged UUs to build the path by walking it. The Journey Toward Wholeness requires that UU congregations be in "right relationship" to people of color in their communities. Such a relationship requires "showing up" when the rights and the aspirations of people of color are on the line. But it isn't enough to just show up. In showing up, UUs must make use their power in ways that are accountable to people of color.
Rev. Pawelek recited a long litany of ways in which UUs have power, but he didn't provide a lot of detail about what it means to make that power accountable. Perhaps an opportunity was lost here. Progress on the journey will require more clarity about that accountability. Does the Gulf Coast Volunteer Program amount to showing up in a way that is accountable?
UUSC was one of the sources of power mentioned in the litany of UU power sources. That welcomes the Service Committee into a reflection on the accountability of its own power to people of color and others. Such a reflection is underway, although it is in its very early stages.
Josh Pawelek's consideration of the place of anti-racism and multiculturalism in the legacy of today's Unitarian Universalism was an appropriate capstone for a GA that was very much oriented toward these themes. I understood this as a strong statement by Rev. Sinkford and his leadership team that they intend to take long, sure steps on the Journey Toward Wholeness during these next two years. Are we ready to walk with them?
