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There
is no one way.
There is no one truth.
Many are the seekers, past,
present and to come,
Who yearn for goodness.
The
struggle for
understanding goes on…
Aiming for clarity,
Seeking communion,
Choosing to honor and
respect all of Mother Earth’s
diversity,
Awareness blooming into
action.
Mary B. Collins |
Many
people come to a church, temple or fellowship with the express purpose
of educating their children. When a child is born parents find questions
percolating such as: What will I teach my child about the world? What
values, what beliefs? How can I make the world a better place for this
precious child? What spiritual community best reflects what I believe
is true? Perhaps your children are grown, I would say that there must
be a child, somewhere, to whom you are connected – a relative, someone
you mentor. And with them you may have had one of those moments where
you have been asked the BIG questions. What did you say? What do you tell
them about the world by your words and actions?
Our Religious
Education Program does not have all the answers, instead, we seek wisdom
from several sources: direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder,
the words of prophetic men and women, the wisdom from the world’s
religions, Jewish and Christian teachings, humanist teachings, and the
spiritual teachings of Earth-centered traditions. Children, young adults,
and adults share information and experiences that are meaningful to us
in light of our liberal religious faith. I firmly
believe that Religious Education is not just for kids! By making time
to participate in the life of this community adults will learn and grow.
You can do it in any number of ways (by joining a committee, participating
in our children’s religious education programming, or with a program
for and with our young adults…). Another way that many people open
up to new ideas is through Adult Education classes. Topics and programs
vary and often depend upon our members and friends interests (and time
availability). Call me if you have an idea or are willing to help facilitate
a class, a group, or a one-time event.
Many
people in our community value the discussion of ideas and being in process
- the unfolding of understanding. Some people think that this open-ended
search for truth and meaning means that “Unitarian Universalists
believe whatever they want to.” Though we are a spiritually diverse
group, we and other member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist
Association have covenanted and agree upon seven principles
as well as the six sources from which we draw information and spiritual
sustenance. They are not a creed for acceptance into our faith but instead
ideas and principles that are useful as we face each day and situation
in our lives. Feel free to contact me at (203) 798-1994 or at dre@uudanbury.org
if you have further questions not addressed in this booklet. I would expect
that THE WAY WE DO THINGS WILL CHANGE over time. Procedures evolve as
we practice Principle Four (A free and responsible search for truth and
meaning).
This
just might be the group of people you will stay with for a time: sharing
your individual stories, thoughts, insights, joys and concerns, times
of service. I welcome you with love!
Mary
B. Collins, DRE,
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury
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