Unitarian Universalists of Sterling

I am often asked by Unitarian Universalists and outsiders to our faith, “But where do you draw the line?” If Unitarian Universalism is not defined by a creed, by a statement of belief, they wonder, then who do you let in and who, if anyone, do you keep out? As you might imagine, Nazis are often inserted in this conversation: “What if a Nazi wanted to join our congregation?”

Unitarian Universalists fought and died to protect the freedom of belief. The quote “We need not think alike to love alike,” comes from Unitarian minister Francis David (1510–1579), who brought religious tolerance to Transylvania under King John Sigismund. Unitarianism thrived there for a short while, until a new King, Calvinist George Biandrata, took the throne. Biandrata challenged David with heresy. David was subsequently found guilty of “innovation,” and sentenced to life in prison, where he died a few short years later.

Happy February! Traditionally it is the month to celebrate love, and I encourage you to think about what you love so much about our congregation as we head into our Stewardship Campaign this year. Soon you will receive a packet of information that reviews our con­gregation’s financial goals for the 2012–13 fiscal year. As you go through it, consider what aspects of our congregation provide something for you that you truly cherish and know you could not get anywhere else.

The children’s Religious Explo­ration (RE) groups are all doing wonderful work as they explore our Unitarian Universalist (UU) values and practice living them in their families, at church, and in the larger world. The kindergarten and first grade group especially are doing this in the context of love. I have seen many examples of how much they are discovering about the ways that they are surrounded by love and how they can contribute to love in their many communities. They eagerly welcome new children to their group and appreciate one another’s’ contributions. They demonstrate a deep understanding of diversity—for in­stance, insisting that all colors are good, that boys can wear skirts and long hair, and that it is all right for people to have different beliefs.