Social Action Talk by Charley Stark
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Danbury
December 28, 2003

The end of the year is traditionally a time when people reflect on their lives and on resolutions for the future. It is also a time when we may think back, and think about who we are.

We the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association covenant to affirm and promote:

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.

These are three of our seven principles. We believe them. Do we live them?

The Dalai Lama has said "Responsibility does not only lie with the leaders of our countries or with those who have been appointed or elected to do a particular job. It lies with each of us individually. Peace, for example, starts within each one of us. When we have inner peace, we can be at peace with those around us. When our community is in a state of peace, it can share that peace with neighbouring communities, and so on. When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace. And there are ways in which we can consciously work to develop feelings of love and kindness."

My personal journey has taken me my lifetime. I freely though not proudly admit that most of my life has been devoted to pursuit of my own security and well being. This, I suspect, is true of most, but not all of us.

I wasn't sure what attracted me to this U-U congregation, a mere year and 8 months ago. I knew I was missing something in my life. I knew that it was time for me to turn out from my own selfishness. But, it has been even more lately that my thoughts have crystalized into the concept of service as my chosen expression of spirituality. I claim no credit. Others amongst us have devoted lives to service. They are blessed.

Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has."

Marianne Williamson has said, "In every community there is work to be done. In every nation, there are wounds to heal. In every heart there is the power to do it."

Unitarian Universalists decided a long time ago that the best way to live in this world was not by worrying about another world but filling the world we are living in with justice and kindness.

One way to religion is the way of service. Rituals, texts and inspiring theology are not all of what religion is. It is ultimately our deeds, not our words, how we live, that counts the most.

>Such service can be very ordinary. Most of the work in this world is ordinary, but it needs doing.

So, on December 9 ten of us met, along with our minister, to try and rediscover the path to service, here in our new urban home. We are blessed to have some people in this congregation with great commitment, knowledge and experience in community service. We are committed to reaching out to community organizations already working on social justice in many forms and ask, How can we U-Us help you?

We are justifiably proud of our ongoing service projects, like the Dorothy Day Hospitality House, with special thanks to Lynn Taborsak Bill Hooten Brad & Lisa Greene and Lisa Smith, the homeless shelter, with special thanks to Bob Weston, the annual Americares project, with special thanks to Gary Winn. But we can't rest on our laurels. There too much to do.

At our organizational meeting, it was determined that initially we will have four autonomous sub-committees.

Sandy Ward will head up our efforts in support of the UUA 2003-2005 Study Action issue on prison reform. Sandy has 15 years community organizing experience and is a social worker with the Connecticut Public Defenders Office. Jean Bowen will lead the hate crimes, bias "isms" subcommittee. Jean is a professional advocate and chairperson of We Care, Western Connecticut Association for Human Rights. Carl Tichler will head voter registration, political action. Carl is an enthusiastic follower of the political scene. I will be responsible for aid to immigrant and non-English speaking people.

Obviously, four people, or ten people, cannot do this alone. We count on the participation of a congregation. Each of us can devote that time which we feel comfortable with in these efforts in some capacity. If you have a special interest or experience in prisoner issues, bias matters, politics or language skills in Spanish, Portugese or any Asian tongue, we need you. If you have none of the above but merely a desire to become involved with the community, we want you.

On January 18th we will have a Social Action Fair, between the 9 and 11 o'clock services. You will be able to sign up for one or more of the four subcommittees I just mentioned.

On January 14th we will have the second meeting of the full Social Action Committee. All are invited to attend and contribute ideas.

A century ago Eugene V. Debs said, " Now my friends, I am opposed to the system of society in which we live today, not because I lack the natural equipment to do for myself but because I am not satisfied to make myself comfortable knowing that there are thousands of my fellow men who suffer for the barest necessities of life. We were taught under the old ethic that man's business on this earth was to look out for himself. That was the ethic of the jungle; the ethic of the wild beast. Take care of yourself, no matter what become of your fellow man. Thousands of years ago the questions was asked, 'Am I my brother's keeper?' That question has never yet been answered in a way that is satisfactory to civilized society. Yes, I am my brother's keeper. I am under a moral bligation to him that is inspired, not by any maudlin sentimentality but by the higher duty I owe myself. What would you think me if I were capable of seating myself at a table and gorging myself with food and saw about me the children of my fellow beings starving to death."

Simone Weil said, "The love of our neighbour in all its fullness simply means being able to say "What are you going through?"

The inherent worth and dignity of every person. Justice equity and compassion in human relations. The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.

Isn't that why we are U-Us?