#UULent #fire #flourish #diverse

I am working on my MA in Religion and, therefore, have to write a thesis. So far, I am researching the UU churches in Florida that began as fellowships (as Lakeland did), and will be narrowing in on a specific topic as I dig through the archives.

I love looking through archival material! It is a joyful task and it deepens my resolve to carry the fire of our faith forward.

I came across an online digital archive, through Meadville Lombard Theological School’s Sankofa Working Files, and found the April 1968 Newsletter from the Clearwater congregation. Rev. Richard Norsworthy was the minister there at the time. Rev. Norsworthy served our Lakeland fellowship part-time after he retired from Clearwater (you can see his picture hanging in our Social Hall). There is a short, but important, piece written in this newsletter that addresses the death of Martin Luther King, Jr. Here is an excerpt below.

We are still up against the forces of hatred, ignorance, and destructive myths. They may look different today than they did 55 years ago but they still seek to silence and oppress people, still seek to keep so many from gaining equal rights and opportunities. I addressed the attacks on our LGBTQIA+ beloveds in my sermon on Sunday. This is one huge part of the work we must, as faithful UUs, continue to do “untiringly” and “unfailingly” if we are to ever flourish as a diverse, multicultural beloved community. Thank you for carrying the fire of our chalice into the future with me.