UUWaco

The following reflection is attributed to my colleague and friend and former minister of First Jefferson UU Church in Fort Worth.  I keep it close by to remind me that every member of UUFW is a minister and I am so lucky that I get to minister with you:

I am honored and privileged to be your parish minister, your pastor.  But even though I am the only minister formally called, I'm not the only minister.  My ministry may be the most visible, but it is by no means the only ministry.

Every member of this congregation is a minister.

Every time you discourage discrimination; every time you discourage hatred; every time you discourage cynicism; you are a minister of this church.

Every time you affirm the legitimacy of doubt; every time you value and respect someone that society at large despises; every time you affirm the right of someone to reach a different conclusion than the majority; you are a minister of this church.

Every time you extend yourself in word or deed to another; every time you vote or call your elected representative; every time you object to a racist or homophobic joke; every time you speak the truth in love; every time you dare to speak truth to power; you are a minister of this church. (Courier;  the newsletter of First Jefferson UU; 10/23/06; No.213)

I repeat: I keep it close by to remind me that every member of UUFW is a minister and I am so lucky that I get to minister with you.

And speaking of ministry here are two concrete ways to enhance your ministry abilities and skills:

• Our really big event: Building a Future Together; UUFW Fellowship Hall on Saturday, March 20, 2010 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and led by professional consultant and friend, Joe Sullivan.  (Some will be asked to attend a facilitator training session on Friday evening from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.)  I'm hoping for a 100% turnout.  Thank you.
• As a member of our Southwestern UU Minister's Alliance it is my turn to serve as Adult Program Director for SWUUSI (our Southwestern UU Summer Institute), August 1-6, 2010 at Western Hills Guest Ranch in Wagoner, Oklahoma.

Since I am the Adult Program Director I assure you it will be great --- ahem!  I am also  vain enough to want many, many of MY congregants and fellow-"ministers" to attend.  Yes --- I want to show you off!  What's so wrong with that?

If you want to see a knock-your-socks-off video of SWUUSI 2009 (so professionally done  and so informative).  Go to www.swuuc.org/swuusi or visit our website  www.uuwaco.org and click on "SWUUSI Video" listed on the left side of our home page.   Please don't just think about it.  Do it.

Your Colleague in Ministry,
Nathan