Universalist National Memorial Church

From the heart...to the Congregation

Words by Rev. Henley, September 2010

“The road to hell is paved with good intentions” is a popular aphorism of the Twentieth Century. Many of us have heard it many times.

Well, my good intentions paved the way to some powerful spiritual and religious growth this summer, but as many of you know, this kind of growth often feels like “hell!”

As I’ve said before, in sermons, the reason it is so hard for us to realize our fullest potential is because it is hard work, often challenging to our sensibilities, and quite often, embarrassing. Embarrassing to admit to our therapist or counselor or spiritual director, and even to ourselves that we have that “kind of issue within.”

One of my therapists once told me, “You wouldn’t believe the number of patients I have that won’t tell me the truth—it takes years sometimes.” Oh yes, I’d believe it. Not only have I offered pastoral care to those who could not tell me all the truth of their pain, but I myself take a long time to tell my therapist and/or spiritual director “the truth of some things.”

This summer my good intentions were to work with the religious professionals who are my mentors on leadership skills; to work with my spiritual director on contemplative and meditative techniques; and to practice, practice, practice prayerful contemplation.

My mentors were happy to share with me direct experiences of their growth in learning to facilitate leadership in a congregation. All three, with a combined experience of over seventy-five years experience in congregations, helped me recognize areas in which I needed to improve. Specifically, I learned I need to spend more time with those who are willing to be leaders and I need to spend more time with newcomers. This I pledge to do.

My spiritual director who has many gifts has helped me discern my personal images of God. Since I preach that we all need to find our own images of God which will then help us deepen our relationship with the Infinite, I thought it was a good time for me to do just that. I will share more of this in my sermons this year, suffice to say, my most powerful practices have been using these images for which I prayed.

Last, I have begun to spend more time each day in meditation and prayer. And something has happened that has changed me. I have learned what it means to be a Universalist. It is not so much about my soul, it is more about “our soul.” It is the intentional opening of my spiritual reality to become a part of—and to include in my spiritual self—others. It is expanding my contemplative presence to be much larger than just me. It is an intentional connection with others’ spiritual presence.

Oh, I am fortunate, you have called me, and you support my spiritual journey as your religious leader. For this I am grateful. I am hopeful that my sermons and my ministry here will demonstrate the spiritual growth of this summer.
As we begin our fifth year together, know that my prayers continue to be lifted up for you. And know that my good intentions anchor my actions in all that I do, even if sometimes, the road seems paved differently.

See you in church, Pastor Lillie

Support Religious Freedom

We are organizing participation in a trip to New York City on September 11 for a rally in support of the right to build an Islamic cultural center near the site of the World Trade Center. The rally is coordinated by the International Action Center and starts at 2 p.m. We plan to march under the banner of Standing on the Side of Love, a UU group that promotes diversity and acceptance of all. We will leave Washington at 9 a.m. and return in the evening after the rally probably between 9 and 10 p.m. If you are interested in participating, please contact the church office by phone or email. Thank you for standing for religious freedom and diversity.

2010 Rally Sunday Picnic

Time Passing

A sermon by Deacon Dave Skidmore, August 29, 2010

Reading: Psalm 90

A recent visit to my daughter at college in Richmond started me musing about the passage of time. Marsha and I very much enjoyed spending an afternoon with Emily, and with her roommate Tina. Both are vibrant, intelligent young women--pretty and witty. But, as parents are wont to do, I sat across a restaurant table from this young woman--familiar and in some ways not so familiar--and thought of all the past Emilys I have known: Emily the baby--sleeping in her crib, Emily the toddler her hands in fingerpaint, Emily the elementary school student in her Brownie uniform, Emily the junior-high-schooler running on a soccer field, Emily the teenager singing in the school play.

Next Leland Place Dinner Scheduled for September 18

Our church's next outing to Leland Place, a halfway house for men in recovery from homelessness and addiction, is scheduled for Saturday September 18. We'll gather in the church kitchen at 2:30 p.m. with the goal of carpooling to Leland, on North Capitol Street, and sharing the meal at 5 p.m.

At our last dinner, on August 21, a full house of appreciative men enjoyed herbed chicken and a vegetable saute (served over egg noodles) that included home-grown zucchini. Thanks to volunteers Bob Sanderlin, Sankar Sitaraman, Marsha Silverrberg, and Dave Skidmore.

Those interested in the September dinner should RSVP to dave_skidmore@cox.net. Volunteers generally share the cost of the meal, about $15 to $25 per volunteer. Those interested in volunteering their time only are very welcome and should see Dave or Pastor Lillie.

"And to Stand Every Morning to Thank and Praise the Lord, and Likewise at Evening"

A Homily by Lay Minister Charisma Wooten, A Guest Preacher in Our Pulpit

Reading: I Chronicles 23:30; I Chronicles 16:34; Psalms 109:30

Let us pray. Lord I thank you for your presence today in this House of Prayer, this House of Sanctification, this House of Praise, this House of Forgiveness of Sin, this House of Love.

Lord I pray that you constantly remind me and my Brothers and Sisters to love one another; and that if We just hold our peace and let you fight our battles, that the victory will surely, be ours.

Lord I ask that we remember to pray each and every day the prayer you taught your Disciples to pray...

Our Father, Who art in Heaven, Hallowed be thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever! Amen.

Religion and Identity: Spiritual Growth Outside the Box

Sermon by Eric Stetson, Universalist National Memorial Church, July 25, 2010

Recently there's been a ubiquitous and unforgettable commercial on TV for the Kia Soul, in which hamsters dressed as gangsters compare that particular automobile to other alternatives. Lip-synching the catchy rap song "This Or That," the anthropomorphic rodents depict non-Kia cars as flimsy, uncool cardboard boxes on wheels, and point back and forth from those horrible options to the far superior Soul. "This or that. This or that. This or that. This. You can get with this, or you can get with that; you can get with this, or you can get with that. You can get with this. 'cause this is where it's at!"

This is how many people think of religion: "This or that." And one and only one option, their own preferred vehicle for the transportation of the soul to higher planes of spirituality, is presented as the obvious choice in comparison to all other, pathetically flawed religious traditions that are suitable only for driving on the highway to hell.

But what if this is altogether the wrong metaphor for religion?

Next Leland Place Dinner Scheduled for August 21

Our church's next outing to Leland Place, a halfway house for men in recovery from homelessness and addiction, is scheduled for Saturday August 21. We'll gather in the church kitchen at 2:30 p.m. with the goal of carpooling to Leland, on North Capitol Street, and sharing the meal at 5 p.m.

At our last dinner, a full house of appreciative men enjoyed the stuffed peppers and coleslaw (and homemade brownies a la mode) prepared by Catherine Bocskor and her mother, Margaret Bocsckor, visiting from Rockledge, FL. They were assisted by Bob Sanderlin, Pastor Lillie, and Dave Skidmore.

Those interested in the August dinner should RSVP to dave_skidmore@cox.net. Volunteers generally share the cost of the meal, about $15 to $25 per volunteer. Those interested in volunteering their time only are very welcome and should see Dave or Pastor Lillie.