UU to Discuss Democratic Process

Sunday, February 8, 11:30 a.m., Benson Hall (Emmanuel Episcopal Church)

— from Suzanne Olson & Susan McBain, Program Committee

Please join us on Sunday, February 8, 11:30 a.m., Benson Hall (Emmanuel Episcopal Church)

“The Democratic Process in our Daily Lives,” a Chalice Group discussion of the fifth UU Principle with Kathy Hendrickson. Please see below for a reading – some food for thought on this topic.

Potluck to follow at 12:30 in Benson Hall – NOTE: we stay in Benson Hall this week
Please bring FINGER FOOD to share

NEXT SERVICE: Fourth Sunday – February 22 – “Our Whole Lives Sexuality Education Program” Suzanne Olson, Sandi Burt and students of the OWL Program will present an interactive program on the UUA curriculum. All are welcome – including children.

Please let us know if you need a ride – or have any other needs that the Fellowship may be able to help with. Kathy Hendrickson is our Caring Coordinator. Contact her (hendricksonk14@gmail.com) when you need a hand.

Hope to see you on Sunday!

Reading for our talk on “Engaged Democracy”:
When we say that word, “democracy,” there are likely two different things that come to people’s minds. Some people are reminded of a political system, specific structures in a government, a constitution, checks and balances. Other people hear the word democracy and they think of people on the ground educating themselves and organizing, creating what they want their world to look like from the bottom up. In religious terms it’s actually a whole lot like the concept of the Beloved Community, or the Kingdom of God. There are two very different perspectives on the idea of the kingdom of God. One is that we are compelled to create a beloved community wherever and whenever we can. It is our on our shoulders to create justice and peace, and through that creation, we usher the divine into our midst. Undoubtedly this is the camp that most Unitarian Universalists fall in.But there is another perspective on the beloved community. And not quite as many, but still a lot of UU’s fall into this category. These are the folks who believe that our personal relationship with God or the divine is of primary concern. And once we align that primary relationship, that spirituality and encourage others to do the same, then the kingdom of God, and the beloved community will come into being. One perspective depends on individual action to make a path for a higher power to be present in our community, the other depends largely on that higher power being present, and us arranging ourselves in a way that reflects it. –Rev Kent Doss, Tapestry Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Mission Viejo CA