Mt. Vernon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship's 2nd Anniversary

I have mentioned my church more than occasionally on this blog. Up until two years ago, I had never attended any church with any regularity. But then I had an opportunity to get involved with the formation of a UU Fellowship in the small southern Illinois town where I live.

Feeling spiritually helpless and lonely here in the heart of right wing Christian fundamentalism, building a congregation of liberal religious thinkers seemed like a good idea.

I have spent a considerable amount of time and energy over the past two years helping to create and sustain this church, even building Sunday services and speaking to a small but growing congregation. It truly blows my mind at times how much work it takes to have a church, and how rewarding (and frustrating) it is. It is also a bit mind blowing how important the concept of church has become to me. Me, church? Weird....

This morning I was one of three short speakers who addressed the topic of "What this Fellowship Means to Me." Since I haven't written anything else this weekend, I thought I would share it here:

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Mt. Vernon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
2nd Anniversary Service

“What This Fellowship Means to Me”

I want to say first that it feels so good to be here this morning, as it has so many mornings over the last two years. Thank you to Paul and Angela for putting together this service, and for doing their best to teach us this beautiful music. I have always been a reluctant singer, especially in the church setting, but I am coming around. I appreciate now, more than ever before, the beauty of singing together in fellowship with all of you.
Two years ago, as many of us here gathered for the first time in the basement of this fellowship, I knew right away that this was something worth getting excited about. Working through the challenges of that first year was an experience I will never forget, and it has benefited me greatly. This is the first church experience I have ever participated in with my whole being, because I wanted to be here, not out of feelings of guilt, or family pressure, but because being here helps to make a part of me more whole.
I can grow here spiritually. I can think. I can pray. I can ask for a hug when I need it. I can ask questions, and I can share my own thoughts and ideas. I can share my excitement over a new moon, or of a spring bud and I can feel understood. Feeling understood, or at least a little less misunderstood is an invaluable feeling.
The Mt. Vernon Unitarian Universalist Fellowship has been a second home for my family the last two years here. Isaiah has grown to admire and trust many of you. He thinks about you, and looks to you all for guidance. He knows who to turn to when he wants to share his love for animals, who to chat about baseball with, who seems to be knowledgeable about Judaism, who can tell him about meditation, who is peacefully devoted to their Christian faith, who is connected with the earth and growing things, who reaches out to the mystical elements of life. These things, and more, reflect the diverse range of thoughts and beliefs systems we celebrate here. Our Religious Education programs may be small and struggling, but our values education is prospering. If my ten year old can so easily pick up on the fact that all who come here are treated with respect and dignity, so long as they come in the spirit of love and understanding, we have succeeded in creating something wonderful. It is what we are able to show the children of our congregation that shows what we really stand for.
I have begun to understand in life that we really cannot plan for the future, but we can reflect upon and honor the past. We can bring the past forward and carry it with us wherever we go. My experiences with this fellowship in the last two years have had a tremendous impact on my life. Whatever comes, and whatever happens, I am a better, more whole, and more understanding person because of all of you. All of you will be carried in my heart for a lifetime.
I am sorry that Randy is not here with us this morning, but I know he would be so proud to see us carrying on and growing stronger as a congregation. If it were not for Randy’s vision of Unitarian Universalism in Mt. Vernon, and his willingness to march to the beat of a different drummer, none of us would be gathered together today. Thank you to him, and thank you to all of you for being who you are, and being here today.