We are building a new way.
We are building a new way.
We are building a new way,
feeling stronger ev’ry day,
We are building a new way.
-Sharing The Journey # 1017, Martha Sandefer
We sing these words with some regularity. I love the active voice. Each verse tells a story of defiance. Whether defying the established order, oppression, hunger or war, these words state what we are doing. In the absence of sacred texts, the songs and words we share carry greater weight. Unitarian Universalists draw inspiration from many sources, including sacred texts of world religions, but we do not, as a whole, revere the primacy of any. We now have three hymnals: the gray book, Singing the Living Tradition, the teal book, Singing the Journey, and now our virtual hymnal, Sing Out Love. The extraordinary thing about these is, particularly with the development of Sing Out Love, our sacred music grows, just as our faith and our understanding of Unitarian Universalist values do.
Our Values, like our music, are not fixed in one moment in time. We ARE BUILDING a new way, it didn’t just happen back in 1961. We are building a new way to engage with the world, with our community, with our congregation, and with ourselves. It’s amazing. With all that we have to offer the individual in spiritual nourishment, camaraderie and community, why aren’t the seats packed every week? I knew I was home from the first service I attended just about two years ago, now. Before learning about the Shared Values, I knew Love was at the center of what UUCG does each day. Why isn’t the sanctuary packed? Our message is shared with authenticity. There’s room at our table for everyone. Do they know? Do they believe it?
These questions have no easy answers, but they occupy my thoughts as we begin this program year.
~Ian Van Sice
