Imagining our Values
Ponderings of the Spiritual Life Director
We are what we imagine. Our very existence consists in our imagination of ourselves. Our best destiny is to imagine completely who and what, and that we are. The greatest tragedy that can befall us is to go unimagined.
― N. Scott Momaday
ICYMI (that’s “in case you missed it” for those who need text slang translation), your UUCL Board of Trustees has discovered the three most prevalent shared values undergirding the stories of the holy we told each other last January: Connection. Love. Transformation. Did you hear these in your story? In the stories you heard from others?
As we move ahead, we will use these values to help us write our new mission statement and imagine a future in which we can create these values in our community and the world around us. Our mission statement, which will embrace these values, will answer the question “why does this UUCL community exist?”.
This is really important work, because it is the only thing that will bring this church into the future. If we can’t imagine ourselves, then we will cease to exist. And if we cease to exist, then we can not include others in our imagining.
Can we imagine a community with such authentic and caring connections that we can go into the larger community and teach people how to be together?
Can we imagine a community so transformed by the dismantling of white supremacy culture that we understand how to build a beloved community where there is justice for all and the earth? And where no one is unimagined?
Can we imagine a community so deeply rooted in love that people come to us seeking redemption, salvation, and wholeness?
Our imagination will require more scope than ever before in this increasingly complicated and interconnected world. After we’ve written our mission statement, all the work, all the art of living that we do here together will be informed by this mission statement. Decisions will be made based on whether or not an action or path forward is in line with our mission. And ultimately, our mission statement will keep on inspiring us to imagine.
This week, I am– once again– imagining living in a country where people care enough about one another that sensible gun laws are passed. I’m imagining that people will have had enough of the violence and finally start listening to one another out of a deep need to move forward into a safer and freer future. I’m imagining that people will actually care enough to take action and demand that our administration do something. Here’s a link to information about Senate Bill 66: Assault Weapons Ban of 2019.
Would you call your senators at (202) 224-3121 in support of this bill? Imagine that together, we can speak even more power to the voice of love. Together, we can make transformation happen.
In the meantime, take care of your own spirits this week. The news in a country where there is no end in sight to the violence, and divisive rhetoric comes in a constant stream, can quickly draw you into a place of sadness and anger. Remember to also find the joy and the laughter- it is the other wing that you need to fly.