Rev. Amy Freedman's Blog

Newport Pride Meetup this Friday at 6:30pm

2009-06-15T14:08:00.000-07:00

I hope you can join us! ~Amy

Newport Pride Meetup
This Friday from 6:30pm - 8:30pm
EMPIRE TEA AND COFFEE
On Broadway in Newport, RI

Join us for an informal gathering to meet, network and organize. This meeting we will be coordinating plans for marching in the RI Pride Parade on Saturday as well as discuss starting an Interweave chapter at Channing Church.

On Facebook? You can RSVP to this event and invite friends here:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=90610198329

Live Knowing Your Actions Matter

2009-06-10T06:55:00.001-07:00

How relevant to modern life are Heaven and Hell? Many religions hold that there are stages of Heaven and stages of Hell to which people are sent according to their good or bad deeds during life.

Egyptian tomb paintings from as early as 2500 BC show the jackal-headed god Anubis as the gatekeeper of the underworld. Anubis would determine a person’s worthiness by weighing the deceased heart against the feather of truth. The heart would be weighted down by bad deeds and lightened by good. When your life comes to an end, how will your heart measure up against the feather of truth?

The idea of judgment after death is found in many religious traditions. In Judaism the Jewish New Year is the time to reconcile your misdeeds so your name will be inscribed into the Book of Life. In Christianity, St. Peter is sometimes depicted as the keeper of Heaven’s Gate where people will be interviewed in order to be admitted to Heaven, damned to Hell or sent to Purgatory where they might purge or make up for their sins. In both Hinduism and Buddhism, it is believed that life is a wheel of successive reincarnations. Between reincarnations, people arrive in the hall of the ruler of the dead where people are judged according to their right or wrong actions. People are then rewarded or punished in one of many different heavens or hells before being reborn. Eastern religions emphasize the journey between lifetimes is one of consciousness.

There are many different visions of Heaven. Where the earth is chaotic and unpredictable, human beings look upward to the wheel of stars as a realm of immortality, order and harmony. Paradise is also portrayed as a verdant garden like Eden located somewhere on this earth. Explorers were driven to discover an idyllic place with a perfect climate and fertile land where people could live in harmony with the world of nature. Some believed it was an island without aging, disease, work, or private property.

Heaven is sometimes depicted as a land of endless pleasure with food, drink, frolicking and music. St. Paul countered that “The kingdom of God does not mean food and drink but righteousness and peace and the Holy Spirit.” Rabbi Rav of the third century AD wrote, “There is neither eating nor drinking, nor any begetting of children, no bargaining or jealousy or hatred or strife. All that the righteous do is sit with their crowns on their heads and enjoy the effulgence of the Presence.”

Where Heaven is a place of bliss and perfection, Hell is the opposite: a place of torment. Some theologians proclaim that a perk of Heaven is that you can see justice served by witnessing those who wronged you being punished.

I challenge you to consider your own views of Heaven and Hell. When you say, “Ah, Heaven!” what are you experiencing? Physical pleasure? Beauty? Material Security? Personal Achievement? Peace? Love? A sense of God’s presence? Harmony with the natural world? Here is the really tough question, do you receive satisfaction from the suffering of others especially those who you do not like or may have hurt you in some way?

When you say, “Oh, Hell!” what are you encountering? Physical pain? Ugliness? Loss? Failure? Frustration? Hatred? A sense of isolation?

As people of conscience, it is important to be mindful of what we hold as ideal for that is what motivates our actions. It is equally important to consider how sometimes our misplaced striving after that ideal leads to suffering and thereby creates our own hell. The ideal of a Paradise with a perfect climate, trees always bearing fruit, a place without aging, disease or work has not been abandoned. Consider how many modern conveniences, marketing campaigns, and resorts were born from those longings. Super-sized meals deficient of nutrients, people purchasing luxury items on credit, and attempts to mask signs of aging can lead to lives out of balance. Ironically, our desire for vengeance instead of reconciliation weighs on our hearts hurting us more than our enemies.

The mystery of death and the afterlife remains. However, no matter who makes the final judgment whether it is God or karma, our own conscience or our impact on others—there is one conclusion, our actions matter. Whether or not you believe in life after death or Heaven and Hell among us, all traditions teach the same lesson that our choices have consequences that can give rise to love or pain. The path to healing and wholeness is through nourishing others.

Hutchinson Helped Build a Bridge to a Better World

2009-05-05T14:22:00.001-07:00

One of the names being proposed for the new Sakonnet River Bridge is Anne Hutchinson. Like many early settlers, she moved to Massachusetts Bay Colony seeking to worship freely. Anne had no formal education but was instructed by her father who was a dissident Puritan clergyman. Anne and her husband William had eleven children when they arrived in the New World in 1634 and their family eventually grew to fifteen. Anne invited other women to her home where they studied the Bible, discussed religious issues, and current events. These gatherings were so engaging that soon men as well as women filled her home to participate in lively discussions. Her following grew to eighty people, too large a gathering for a house so they moved to a church.

Although the early settlers of Massachusetts Bay Colony left England in order to worship freely, they themselves did not believe in the free expression of religion. The Puritans set up a theocracy where all people were expected to follow the same religious laws. Anne Hutchinson directly challenged the moral and legal codes of the Puritans as well as advocating for the rights of women and Native Americans. Like Rogers Williams, she was put on trial for her heretical views and banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony. In 1638, Anne Hutchinson, her family, and sixty of her followers settled in Pocasset, what we now call Portsmouth, Rhode Island.

At a time when women were told to be quiet and obedient, Anne Hutchinson spoke out and defied the established order. At a time when it was taught that women were cursed, Anne held a steadfast belief that to be a woman was a blessing. Certainly, she had plenty of reasons to be complacent including the moral codes of the time and her massive responsibilities as the mother of such a large family. There was no model for her actions. However, she was moved by her own conscience, the teachings of her father, and her reading of the Bible which gave her a vision of a more harmonious world.

She started small, inviting neighboring women to join her for conversation. Her message and the energy that resulted could not be contained. In just four years from when she arrived in Massachusetts Bay Colony, her following grew enough to be perceived as a threat to the establishment.

In 1639, a year after Hutchinson’s group established Pocasset on the northern end of Aquidneck Island, half of the group led by William Coddington and Nicholas Easton moved south to form our city of Newport. Following their conscience, many of them became Baptists believing in the separation of church and state. This was codified into law in the Newport Town Statutes of 1641. Newport is one of the first secular democracies.

Many times, we become discouraged with the complexity and scale of the problems of our times. There are so many needs, so much that is broken and needs fixing. The powers of government seem too entrenched with the interests of big business to really care about our well-being and that of the down-trodden.

Anne Hutchinson did not complain that she was born into the doomed generation or find excuses for inaction. She lived out her beliefs. We must do the same.

Living in a small state as we do, we have an opportunity to effect legislation and bring about positive change. One of the blessings of our country is that we are free to express our opinions and to advocate for change. Our state senators and representatives work for us. Whenever constituents take the time to communicate our message is taken seriously.

Although the outcome may not be clear from where we stand, a few people can build a bridge to a better world.

Channing Church launches capital campaign to restore steeple

2009-03-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

Channing Memorial Church is a thriving Unitarian Universalist congregation located in the heart of Newport. First gathered in 1835, our congregation has been a vital and inspirational community for generations dedicated to the values of liberal religion.

The Rev. William Ellery Channing spoke at the dedication of the church first housed on Mill Street. It was Channing who first articulated what came to be known as Unitarian theology, that there is but one God. Driven by his inclusive faith and a passion for social justice, Channing was an influential leader. His thought gave rise to New England Transcendentalists Emerson and Thoreau and inspired intellectuals and reformers worldwide.

The Unitarian congregation chose to build a Memorial Sanctuary to honor William Ellery Channing in his birthplace. A feat that, according to the minister of the time “the majority of the congregation considered impossible and some thought it an insane and wild dream, but they resolved to go forward.” The cornerstone bearing the words “We Build in Faith, Hope, Charity” was laid on Pelham Street across from the Old Stone Mill in 1880, the centennial of Channing’s birth.

Many dignitaries gathered for the Centennial Celebration in Newport including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Bronson Alcott, and Julia Ward Howe. The newspaper reports of the time state that the building of the church was cause for celebration not only for Unitarians but for all people.

Since its completion, the stone steeple of Channing Memorial Church has risen 130 feet above the skyline in Newport. Located on Historic Hill, the steeple can be seen from the water and when crossing the Pell Bridge. Newport’s tallest point, it is a symbol of religious freedom in a town known for religious diversity and tolerance.

Since 1881, Newport has not only looked to Channing’s steeple for inspiration, they have listened to its music. Housed within is a rare nine-bell set of chimes, a massive musical instrument with bells ranging in size from 300 pounds to just over a ton. For over one hundred years, the bells rang out in celebration at weddings, tolled in mourning, and rang in solidarity with the joys and sorrows of the larger community. That is, until the year 2000 when neighbors began hearing a periodic clang in the middle of the night, the sound of bricks falling from within the steeple striking the historic bells.

This phantom bell-ringing alerted church leaders to growing structural problems with the steeple caused by years of moisture freezing and thawing. This moisture found its way into the steeple through faults in previous repairs. A platform was constructed to protect the bells and a steel girdle was fastened to shore up the stone structure.

“Rising to the Challenge!” is the theme of the Capital Campaign to repair the steeple and bells of Channing Memorial Church launched on March 1, 2009. Already members and friends of the church are rising to the challenge! Of the estimated cost of $1.2 million benefactors, church members, and Foundations have already contributed roughly $400,000. In December, Channing Memorial Church’s application for a “Save America’s Treasures” grant of $440,000 was approved. This grant is very competitive. Our successful application demonstrates that the Gilded Age Sanctuary is a treasure not only to our own membership but as a community asset. Our goal is to raise $400,000, the remaining third needed to restore our steeple and bells.

This project is about more than stone and mortar. The steeple project is our opportunity to preserve a beacon of liberal religion for future generations. In the tradition of our namesake, Channing Memorial Church is an open and inclusive community dedicated to the values of equality, justice, and compassion. The church is open to all people for rites of passage, meditation, concerts, and educational opportunities; a safe haven for people of all religious backgrounds or none at all to join together for interfaith services and celebrations.

To reconstruct a steeple is an act of faith. The tower of stone seems to defy gravity as it rises 130 feet into the sky. When so much music is recorded, it is an act of faith to restore a chime of bells to ring out with timeless music. This reconstruction project will begin this spring. When so many banks are floundering, you are invited to invest in a sure thing.

Rev. Amy Bowden Freedman is the Minister of Channing Memorial Church, a Unitarian Universalist Church in Newport, RI.

Helping Our Neighbor

2008-12-05T10:41:00.000-08:00

The Good Samaritan is a familiar parable. A priest and a Levite, two esteemed members of society pass by a man who has been left mugged and beaten by robbers. However, a Samaritan, a person looked down upon in Jesus’ times, went out of his way to care for the stranger. This parable is so well-known that the word Samaritan means more than a native or inhabitant of Samaria, but is also defined as person who is ready and generous in helping others; someone who treats all who cross their path with the kindness of a neighbor or a friend.

In the 1970’s, Darley and Batson conducted a psychological experiment to explore whether there is a link between personality traits and the likelihood of helping others. The experiment was conducted at the Princeton Theological Seminary with seminary students who were told that they were participating in a study of "religious education and vocations". The first stage of the study involved filling out a personality questionnaire on religious beliefs. One hypothesis Darley and Batson were testing was whether people who are religious for what it will gain them might be less likely to help than those who value religion for its own sake or who are searching for meaning in life.

After completing the questionnaire in individual sessions, seminarians were sent to another building in which they were to give an oral presentation. Before heading on their way, half the subjects were given a copy of the parable of the Good Samaritan and were told that they would give a sermon on the subject. The other half were told that they would speak extemporaneously about job prospects for seminary students. This was to test whether people who were thinking "helping" or religious thoughts might be more likely to offer assistance.

The other variable in the experiment was a condition of time. As they set off for the other building, some subjects were told that they were late, others that they were on time, and the third group that they had time to spare.

The real behavior of interest occurred when the seminarians were traveling from one building to the next. In an alleyway, Darley and Batson had placed a man slumped in a doorway, head down, eyes closed. The two psychologists described him as an ambiguous figure like the man on the road to Jericho except fully clothed. This slumped figure could have been injured or drunk. As each subject passed the man moaned and coughed twice.

The results of the experiment were shocking: sixty percent of the seminarians walked on without offering help. Those preparing to preach on the parable of the Good Samaritan were no more likely to stop than those speaking on another subject. In fact, some seminarians actually stepped over the man on their way to speak about the Good Samaritan. The personality profiles revealed no characteristics or religious beliefs that predicted helping behavior. The only factor that seemed to make a difference was the condition of time. Only a small fraction who were told they were late stopped to offer help, ten percent while sixty-three percent of those who thought they had time to spare, offered assistance.

If these seminary students preparing for a "helping profession" like ministry, some actually on their way to speak on the timeless message of aiding one’s neighbor, did not stop, how much more likely is it that you and I might fail to notice or fail to take action when we encounter someone in need of help. The conclusion to this study was that ethical behavior can be viewed as a luxury as the speed of daily life increases! Personally, I do not want to live in a world like that.

Although we may never encounter someone beaten, robbed and lying naked on the road, it is important to recognize that each person who crosses our path is our neighbor often with losses and injuries invisible to the eye but no less real. Let us live with open generous hearts, taking the time to notice those who cross our path and reaching out to one another with compassion. Performing simple acts of kindness and pausing to seek connection with one another is truly the spirit of the holiday season.

Times of hardship hold opportunities

2008-11-01T07:59:00.000-07:00

There is a contest going on about how the world should be rendered. A contest about whether our lives should be governed by Might, Wealth, and Wisdom or Love, Distribution, and Righteousness. I am not referring to the current campaign for President of the United States. The contest is greater than the debate between the Democratic and Republican candidates. This contest is even greater than the current economic crisis or the ongoing War in Iraq and Afghanistan. The outcome of this contest will determine how we live our lives. More than that, it will determine the health of our planet and the well-being of the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

In June, Walter Brueggemann, a Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary addressed a gathering of Unitarian Universalist ministers. His address was so compelling that he inspired me to read his most acclaimed book, The Prophetic Imagination, and to consider how his message applies to our lives.

King Solomon flourished during the mid-tenth century BC. He is described both in the Hebrew Scriptures and the Qur’an as a leader of might, wealth, and wisdom. He was the third and final king of the United Monarchy, ruling for forty years over a land that divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah after his death. He was a prolific writer of proverbs and songs many of which are attributed to him in the Bible. Scriptures also attribute the building of the First Temple in Jerusalem, considered one of the ancient wonders of the world to his leadership.

Over the course of his reign, King Solomon experienced great commercial prosperity in part by trafficking in arms. Solomon virtually enslaved his nation to build the Temple and his palace. He taxed his subjects to poverty while he lived surrounded by luxury. Solomon had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses. It is an understatement to say he was a ladies man—he had one thousand wives.

The life of King Solomon is one to which many nations and individuals aspire today: Might, Wealth and Wisdom as the shining goal. Only, it is a goal that will never be reached. Within this worldview is an insatiable appetite for more at any cost. When Might, Wealth, and Wisdom are upheld as the ideals of living, then everything becomes a commodity, including other people.

This is what Walter Brueggemann calls “royal consciousness.” When the dominant culture extols political power, military might, and affluence, truth becomes equated with power; as the saying goes, “Might makes right.” When the goal of life becomes “The one with the most stuff wins” then victory remains very shallow indeed. The current credit crunch and home lending disaster was fed by this myth of the good life. A life surrounded by luxuries, new toys, and pretty objects that would somehow secure our happiness; an outward show of prosperity to demonstrate our worth to ourselves, our family, and the wider community.

Through out the Hebrew and Christian Scriptures, prophets present an alternative worldview to “royal consciousness.” Moses, Elijah, Amos, Nathan, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Jesus were more than political activists these Biblical prophets were teachers and poets. Through their words and actions, they demonstrated the World as a Neighborhood upholding the values of Love, Distribution, and Righteousness as the purpose of living.

As Jesus reminds his disciples in Matthew 6, it is not possible to serve two masters. Brueggmann asserts that the reason so many Americans feel harried and exhausted is because we are attempting to serve two worldviews. However, it is not possible to serve two masters. For us to order the World as a Neighborhood instead of as an Empire, we must recognize our responsibility to one another including how our choices impact the interdependent web of life.

I know that you as people of conscience share in my grief over the disparity between those who have in abundance and those who struggle just to get by. I know you share my pain over the current climate crisis and the plight of our fellow inhabitants of this earth. You also share my anxiety about the current state of the economy and how it may affect our future. Grief work is a precondition for joy. Unless we fully experience life in its pain and struggle, we remain unable to truly experience the beauty and wonder of life. Although none of us would wish this economic downturn, we must allow it to break through our numbness to inspire new priorities in our daily lives.

Margaret Starbird tonight at Channing

2008-10-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Tonight at Channing Church will be presenting on the Sacred Union at the Heart of Christianity. Starbird's research was one of the sources inspiring Dan Brown's bestselling book and movie The DaVinci Code.

This will be Starbird's second presentation at Channing. This evening she will be discussing the relationship between Jesus of Nazarith and Mary Magdalene. Starbird's research suggests a long supression of the role of Mary as the bride of Jesus Christ, a role she believes must be restored for Christianity to thrive today.

7pm at Channing Memorial Church
Suggested donation $10
Google Map: http://tinyurl.com/channingmap

Starbird is the author of The Woman with the Alabaster Jar: Mary Magdalen and the Holy Grail, Magdalene's Lost Legacy: Symbolic Numbers and the Sacred Union in Christianity, The Goddess in the Gospels: Reclaiming the Sacred Feminine, Mary Magdalene, Bride in Exile and others.

As one life passes, new life begins

2008-10-07T12:51:00.001-07:00

Ministry brings me in touch with the cycles of life on a daily basis. I am called to be with members of the congregation in times of struggle and loss as well as times of joy when people welcome new life or commit themselves in love. This is one of the gifts of my calling that I am constantly reminded that our lives are precious. That no other person or special moment should be taken for granted.

My understanding of the fleeting nature of existence motivates me to live without regret to the best of my ability. As I weigh decisions about how I will spend my time or the quality of relationships with other people, I constantly ask myself whether I have done the best possible. I try not to delay speaking words of caring concern. When someone is in my mind or heart, I reach out to them even if unexpected. When there is an unresolved conflict or hurt, I seek reconciliation and forgiveness. When I have left a responsibility unfinished, I work to complete it or find help or adjust the timetable. By no means am I perfect, but I refuse to reach the end of my days haunted by “what if’s” or “should have’s.”

This is a time in my personal life that is particularly bittersweet. My father died on September 12, 2008. Robert J. Freedman was born in 1921 in Brockton, MA, the third child and only son of Abram and Hilda. He was a caring, intelligent man with a keen interest in people. He was married to my mother Josephine for 41 years and was also Stepfather to my brother, Michael.

Above all, my father was a man of integrity. He was always hard-working, dependable, and true to his word. He did not suffer fools or hypocrites. However, he also had a sense of wonder about life in its infinite variety. At an early age his Uncle Harold had told him, “Bobby, you do not really look at anything.” He took this message to heart and began a lifelong practice of capturing color and form on film. His photographs do not focus on landscapes or people but instead show fascinating details found on his walks, such as an abandoned building, a store window, a funny sign, a tree reflected in a puddle, a shadow cast on a wall.

Over the past four years, my father suffered a decline in his abilities. This began subtly at first with an inability to remember certain words and then to complete certain tasks. He was frustrated that he was not able to perform to his usual high standards. After a weeklong stay in the hospital due to internal bleeding, we began having a team of health aides care for him. It was not easy to have strangers in my parents’ home but we found a caregiver who was not only a skilled health professional but fit into our family beautifully. Early on, my father even had her take him around the Boston area taking photographs.

My mother’s love and devotion to my father motivated her to find creative solutions to accommodate his mental and physical decline at home. My parents moved to their home in Newport this August when it seemed my father had reached a plateau in his health. However, his strength and appetite soon waned and his imminent passing was anticipated.

During his final days, my mother, my husband, my father’s caregiver and I said prayers from many different traditions around his bedside. We held his hands, told him how much we loved him, and that although we would miss him we would take care of one another. I was there as he let out his last three sighs. The cycles of life fill me with humility and wonder. Dad never really understood that I am pregnant. However, at the same time as I bid farewell to a man who will always hold a special place in my heart, I could feel new life kicking inside me. Truly, I am blessed.

Green Conference this Saturday

2008-09-16T12:49:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, September 20th, Newport is the place to be for anyone with an interest in the energy future of Rhode Island. The Aquidneck Island Energy Conference will feature an impressive list of speakers and exhibitors, including Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, R.I. Senate Majority Leader Teresa Paiva Weed, Cynthia Giles of the Conservation Law Foundation, Karina Lutz of People's Power & Light, and a diverse list of energy producers, wind advocates, and more. All will share their insight into how going green can save energy and money while creating new jobs. Topics include Solar, Wind, Geo-Thermal, Green Buildings, Energy Efficiency, Renovations and Retrofitting. The conference runs 9:00am to 5:00pm. Lunch will be available on the site. Suggested donation: $10.

The event is sponsored by Salve Regina University, Channing Memorial Church, and the Aquidneck Island Planning Commission to address global-warming related pollution and strategize among a wide cross-section of participants.

Public teaching with Khensur Rinpoche - October 30, 2008 in Newport, RI

2008-09-05T14:25:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce that Venerable Khensur Rinpoche Geshe Lobsang Wangdak will be offering a public teaching at Channing Church this October. The following is a brief bio provided by the Chenrezig Center.

Lobsang Tenzin Geshe Wangdak, Khensur Rinpoche, was born in 1934 in Tibet. Rinpoche was the senior teacher for 14 years, and Abbot for four years, at Namgyal Monastery, the Dalai Lama’s personal monastery in Dharamsala, India. In 1995, H. H. the Dalai Lama appointed Khensur Rinpoche Abbot and Senior Resident Teacher at Namgyal Monastery in Ithaca, NY. He retired from Ithaca in 1998, and now resides at the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center in Middletown, Connecticut. Khensur Rinpoche was awarded the Geshe Lharampa degree, the highest Tibetan Buddhist doctorate. Rinpoche received initiations and teachings of tantric practices of all four traditions of Tibetan Buddhism. For a more complete biography of Khensur Rinpoche, visit the Chenrezig Center’s website.

Event details:

Venerable Khensur Rinpoche
Geshe Lobsang Wangdak
October 30, 2008
7:30pm - 9pm

Channing Memorial Church

135 Pelham Street

Newport, RI

Suggested donation of $10, but no one will be turned away

Proceeds will benefit the Chenrezig Tibetan Buddhist Center of Connecticut
http://www.chenrezigcenter.org/

Our Doors and Hearts Will Remain Open

2008-09-04T06:19:00.001-07:00

On Sunday morning, Unitarian Universalists gather for worship, a time of fellowship, reflection, and celebration of life. Only on Sunday, July 27, 2008 a horrifying tragedy took place at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. About two hundred people gathered for the service which that morning featured a performance of “Annie,” the culmination of a two-week musical theater workshop for children. The musical production had just begun when a man entered the sanctuary carrying a guitar case and wearing a fanny-pack around his waist. To the shock of the congregation, the 58 year old man, drew a 12-gauge shotgun from the case, pulled shotgun shells from his pack, and fired three rounds into the pews.

Members of the congregation tackled the shooter and subdued him before the police arrived on the scene and successfully took him into custody. Greg McKendry, a church usher and trustee, died on the scene after shielding others from the gunman. Linda Kraeger, a member of nearby Westside UU Church, died later that evening. Eight other people representing both Unitarian congregations in Knoxville, TN suffered injuries from the gunfire. No children were physically harmed by this act of violence. Taylor Bessette, a cast member and McKendry’s foster son said to a reporter about the incident, “Make sure that everyone knows that George McKendry was a hero, a total hero.”

The shooter has since been identified as Jim David Adkisson, an unemployed local man who blamed “the liberal movement” for his inability to secure a job. Following the incident, police found a four page letter in Adkisson’s car expressing his hatred of “liberals in general, as well as gays.” According to further police investigation, he targeted the Tennessee Valley Church because of its well-known support of equal rights for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender people, as well as women’s rights, and commitment to racial justice. Adkisson expected that he would be shot down by police while carrying out his premeditated attack.

Instead of fear and hatred, this tragic incident has caused an outpouring of solidarity and compassion. During a packed service, one week after the shooting, the Rev. Chris Buice, Minister of Tennessee Valley UU Church preached, “There are many names for the power of healing, and we have felt that power in this congregation this week. This has been a time of paradoxes. Last Sunday a man walked into this sanctuary with the intention of inflicting terror, and he inspired quick and decisive acts of courage. Reports tell us that he believed liberals were soft on terror. He had a rude discovery! He came into this space with a desire to do an act of hatred, but he has unleashed unspeakable amounts of love.”

This love has come from the Knoxville Interfaith community as well as Unitarian Universalists across the country that have sent expressions of support to the two grieving congregations. The Unitarian Universalist Trauma Response Ministry provided counseling and resources to people of all ages touched by this tragedy and a special fund was established to help pay for further therapy as needed.

“Our Doors and Our Hearts Will Remain Open” was the headline of a full-page advertisement that appeared in the New York Times on Sunday, August 10, 2008. The ad put forth by the Unitarian Universalist Association expressed our sincere prayer that the shooter, Jim David Adkisson, find peace and reconciliation, and our dedication as a faith movement to our religious mission. The ad quoted the Rev. William Sinkford, UUA President, “We will not give in to fear. We will meet hatred with love. We will continue to work for justice. Our hearts and the doors of our more than 1000 Unitarian Universalist nationwide, remain wide open, Unitarian Universalists stand on the side of love. We invite you to stand with us.”

Channing Memorial Church is committed to the core values of Unitarian Universalism: freedom of belief, tolerance, reason, equality, and the dignity of every human being. We gather as a faith community to support one another in living these values daily and in order to work together to make the world a better place. Our hearts, minds, and doors will remain open. If you are looking for an inclusive loving community, I invite you to join us anytime.

This I Believe

2008-07-09T05:13:00.001-07:00

“This I Believe” is the inspiration for lay-led Sunday services at Channing Memorial Church while I am on vacation and study leave though August 5th. As a Unitarian Universalist congregation, we uphold shared ministry, a vibrant partnership between the faith community and ordained minister.

We believe that each person has unique insights to share about life and the workings of the sacred. It is a true gift whenever people share their personal experiences and spiritual discoveries. We learn essential truths of people’s lives. In listening to this sort of authentic revelation, our own hearts and minds are expanded whether we share the same convictions or we are challenged to consider a new perspective.

“This I Believe” is a weekly series broadcast on National Public Radio in which both famous and every day people share their personal beliefs. The essays are only three and a half minutes in length but they have incredible depth as people tell not only what they believe, but how they reached that conviction, and what made it grow.

The original program was hosted by Edward R. Murrow from 1951-1955. Murrow became one of the most well-known and respected American journalists from his radio broadcasts from London during World War II. When he returned to the States and CBS, he was concerned by what he perceived as an increasingly materialistic and adversarial trend in society. At lunch with colleagues, as they discussed the issues of their day, Murrow asked, “Where are the values?” It was from this simple question that “This I Believe” was born.

“This I Believe” was a product of its time. It brought an important message of hope, faith, and courage in a period fraught with fear, doubt, and insecurity. The fifties marked the dawn of the Cold War. The United States was gripped by Anti-communist fears which led to loyalty oaths, blacklisting, and the House Committee on Un-American Activities led by Senator Joseph McCarthy.

Despite the growing climate of fear and insecurity, men and women were living lives of faith and integrity. The aim of the program was not to be religious in a traditional sense but to offer insight into the core beliefs that guide daily life. At a time when church attendance was high, this emphasis on personal belief rather than religious dogma became a cultural phenomenon. The radio show aired across the nation and even abroad. The essays also became syndicated and appeared weekly in newspapers as well as being compiled into a bestselling book.

A key to the program’s success were the guidelines for sharing. All contributors were asked to frame their thoughts affirmatively: “This I Believe” instead of a tirade of disbelief or cynicism. In order to do so, participants were asked to reflect upon their personal experiences and to speak from the first person instead of preaching or editorializing. When people speak their deepest truths from their own experience, we are offered a precious gift, a window into life from a new perspective that can enrich our own.

In introducing the original series, Murrow said, “Never has the need for personal philosophies of this kind been so urgent”. “This I Believe” was revived on National Public Radio in 2005. Now, fifty years later, our nation is at war and there is a climate of fear especially with rising costs, job insecurity, and market volatility. We are bombarded with messages of hate, conflict, violence, and deceit on a daily basis. For these reasons, it is more important than ever for us to uphold the positive values of life.

One of the simplest ways to do this is by attending worship. All are welcome to our Sunday services held at 10:00am in which members of Channing Memorial Church will share their beliefs along with music, meditation, and a time of sharing. No matter whether you are a member of another faith community, searching for a religious home or looking for a place to center before a busy week, you and your family are welcome.

Navigating Life's Transitions

2008-06-20T06:41:00.000-07:00

READING: To a Daughter Leaving Home, Linda Pastan

When I taught you

at eight to ride

a bicycle, loping along

beside you

as you wobbled away

on two round wheels,

my own mouth rounding

in surprise when you pulled

ahead down the curved

path of the park,

I kept waiting

for the thud

of your crash as I

sprinted to catch up,

while you grew smaller, more breakable

with distance,

pumping, pumping

for your life, screaming

with laughter,

the hair flapping

behind you like a

handkerchief waving

goodby.

The poem by Linda Pastan brought back memories of my learning to ride a bicycle. It was my father who taught me. By the time I was nine, I could ride my bike to my best friend’s house so I must have been around eight or younger. Before that, I had a red tricycle on which I was fearless speeding in circles around the columns of our concrete basement. There was a time in-between when I got the light blue two-wheeler with training wheels securely attached. As I recall, it was relatively easy switching from the tricycle to the bike with training wheels. The biggest challenge was learning to brake by reversing directions of the pedals instead of just throwing my feet on the ground while the wheels were in motion. A bicycle of course was much further off the ground then my red tricycle. A sign that I was growing up!

However, once those training wheels came off, I longed for my good old tricycle! I had a hard time finding my balance. I was afraid of falling. I was afraid that if I ever got going, I would not be able to stop.

I grew up in West Newton, Massachusetts on Waltham Street, a road with a constant buzz of traffic. Directly across from our house was the Swedish Home, a nursing home set back from the road with a long circular driveway. When my father could see how frustrated and discouraged I was we crossed the street with the light blue bike between us to practice while my mother prepared dinner.

I don’t remember how many times we went to practice but it became an afternoon ritual. My father would hold the handlebars while I got the rhythm of pedaling. Later, he held the back of the bike and simply let go when my pedaling seemed more confident.

After a while, we had an audience. The residents of the Swedish Home started gathering on the front porch to see this father and daughter routine. When my father pointed them out to me, I felt shy at first. My father explained that they too first learned to ride a bicycle and they were simply cheering me on. After a while, a group was always out there to greet us as we walked the bike across the street and up the driveway at the usual time. We exchanged friendly smiles and waves.

My father was a wonderful coach. When I exclaimed “I can’t do this!” he encouraged me. His steady reassuring presence motivated me to keep trying and never give up. When I fell over and scraped my hands, he’d whistle a few bars of a song that continues to echo in my head to this day, “Pick yourself up, brush yourself off, try all over again!” One day, I was able to ride without my father’s steady guiding hand. I found my balance pedaling on my own and even engaged the brakes—the start of my journey toward independence. Now I could ride my bike to my best friend’s house on my own.

The determination to persist even when at first I do not succeed is a lesson that has helped me face many challenges and transitions through out my life. My father offered the same steadfast reassuring support as I learned to drive, auditioned for plays, went to college, applied for jobs, felt called to the ministry, purchased my first home, and committed myself in marriage. The transitions were always mine to face but the fact that my father believed in me gave me the confidence to move forward in unfamiliar territory.

On this Father’s Day, I am keenly aware that my father is facing his own unfamiliar territory. His mind is increasingly clouded by dementia and his body has become frail. My mother is offering him steady reassuring support by caring for him at home with the aid of home healthcare workers. He is afraid of the transition from life to death although I have tried to assure him that he will be at peace. At this point, there is no disease nor prognosis so we do not know how long this slow goodbye will continue. Even though I am not able to visit with him as often as I would like, my heart is with him as I know his heart is with me, across geographical distance and ultimately when the veil of death passes between us. As I face this life transition, my faith assures me that the bonds of love remain unbroken and timeless.

Today we honor the transition of our youth toward adulthood. At the end of the service, this community will create a bridge symbolic of this life passage. In truth, each one of us no matter our age is navigating life’s transitions. Some of these changes call on us to learn new skills or face new challenges. There are new chapters which we consciously choose for ourselves that help us move toward our personal goals. There are other transitions like the loss of a loved one or an obstacle unforeseen but no less real on our life’s journey. There are times when the love and support of family or church community is close at hand, cheering us on, providing comfort, and offering inspiration. There are other times when our new chapter takes us far away from all that is familiar to face unknown territory alone.

I want all the youth to know that even though we might not see one another as often, this community is here for you. I am only an email away anytime you have a challenge or a success you would like to share.

For all people who navigate life’s transitions, we offer inspiration from our Unitarian ancestors, first Ralph Waldo Emerson who was present at the dedication of this historic church, “Nothing is secure but life, transition, the energizing spirit.” And then the following words from Henry David Thoreau who had Emerson as his friend and mentor, “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Foremost when you fall literally or spiritually hum a few bars of the simple tune, “Pick yourself up, brush yourself off, try all over again.”

Mindful Eating Habits Bind Us to All Creation

2008-04-19T05:27:00.001-07:00

Growing up, my mother planted a small vegetable garden in our backyard. I enjoyed working alongside her in the dirt. I watched with fascination as the plants grew. Even more, I loved picking fresh produce and carrying it indoors in a basket for my family to eat.

One day, my mother sent me to harvest our first carrots. I ran outdoors firmly grasping the green leaves and pulled the vegetable from the earth. Only to discover that carrots do not come in bunches! From the packages of carrots in our fridge, somehow I had assumed that under each carrot top was a whole bunch not just a single orange root.

For most of us, food comes from the supermarket. We have become accustomed to choosing our meals from the shelves of the store often packaged in a way that has little resemblance to any living thing. With our busy lives, many of us choose frozen dinners and prepared meals over the raw ingredients.

Each food item in the United States typically travels 1,500 miles before it reaches our plates. This includes all the produce that we can enjoy year round and processed foods.

Many of us treat food like fuel, eating to fill up our tanks in order to keep active. A whole industry of fast food has built up around our desire for convenience allowing us to eat on the run. Many Americans eat in the car en route to another destination.

Eating becomes a religious experience when we are mindful of the source of our food and our interdependence with other living beings. Truly it is a miracle that seed, soil, sun, and water contribute to what becomes food. The food that we eat is essential to our lives nourishing and sustaining us.

This fall, we held a Harvest Dinner where church members were invited to bring dishes made of local ingredients. If we were unable to find a local product, the challenge was to at least to identify the source. This was an eye-opening exercise! The Farmers Market provided many locally-grown and raised staples. In cooking, we had to consider where in the world our spices came from.

This lesson about eating locally or at least being mindful about the source of food has stuck with me. Choosing natural ingredients over processed ones are healthy choices both for me and our world. Despite the temptation of junk food, real food is more deeply satisfying.

My family has decided to plant a small vegetable garden this summer. Our yard is small but there is a patch out back where the sun shines brightly for at least six hours a day. I am looking forward to working the soil and planting.

I have also decided to subscribe to Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). Simmons Farm in Middletown helps build a direct relationship between people, food, and the farm. Through a subscription, we will receive a share of certified organic vegetables every week during the months of June through October. This will give us the opportunity to experience the workings of a farm more closely and to eat in rhythm with the season. If you are interested in learning more about Simmons Farm drop by 1942 West Main Road or call 848-9910.

Of course, not everyone has the resources to plant a garden or to choose organic foods. Many children around the world and close to home will go to bed hungry tonight. Saturday morning, April 26^th is the annual Aquidneck Island CROP WALK Against Hunger. This is an opportunity to join an interfaith movement in our community by walking three or ten miles. The funds raised will go to hunger relief globally and locally. For more information, check out www.cropwalk.org.

The word “religion” comes from the Latin root “religare” meaning “to bind back.” Mindful eating is religious because it binds us back to our wholeness with all of creation. Instead of simply refueling, let us make healthier choices that awaken our sense of reverence and gratitude for living. This type of nourishment will feed our sense of joy and generosity!

Many clergy members agree evolution, faith can co-exist

2008-03-13T11:12:00.001-07:00

In the first Republican Presidential debate, the candidates were asked, "Is there anyone on the stage who does not believe in evolution?" Of the ten candidates who were running at the time, three raised their hands: Kansas Senator Sam Brownback, Colorado Representative Tom Tancredo, and former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee. The fact that this question was posed to politicians running for our nation’s highest office and that one of the candidates who denied evolution has won in eight states, tells us something about the role science and religion plays in our country.

Of course, Mike Huckabee is also an ordained Southern Baptist minister. When pressed if he believed that God created the Heavens and the Earth in six twenty-four hour days six thousand years ago, he simply stated that he did not know exactly when or how life began because he was not there. For Huckabee, either God created life or it happened by accident. The following statement was met with applause, "If anyone wants to believe they are descended from a primate, they are welcome to it."

On January 26, Ken Miller, Biology Professor at Brown University gave a lecture on "God, Darwin, and Design" at the Newport Art Museum. Professor Miller told the packed audience, that if any of us bumps into Mike Huckabee we should let him know that not only are we descended from a primate, we are primates. Humans were classified as primates well before Darwin’s theory of evolution emerged.

Despite the way Darwin is portrayed by some as a godless man, the truth is not that simple. Darwin entered Christ’s College at Cambridge intent on becoming a clergyman. The professors who most influenced him were both ordained ministers and scientific scholars. More than the study of scripture, botany and geology were the subjects that captured Darwin’s attention.

At the age of 22, Charles Darwin joined the voyage of the HMS Beagle. The mission was to chart the southern coast of South America. During the five-year expedition, he kept detailed journals and methodically collected samples of fossils and living organisms; sending many specimens and letters about his findings back to England.

The commonly held view at the time of the expedition was that each species was created by God to be perfectly suited to the conditions of a particular place. Yet, on the Galapagos, the species differed from island to island. Since the islands had similar conditions, why did such variety exist? For example, there was an incredible variety of finches and tortoises with different shells. By observing the distribution of Galapagos organisms, Darwin became increasingly convinced that species are not immutable. Animals and plants from the mainland evolved into unique types over time.

Charles Darwin was not the first evolutionary thinker but he was the first to articulate the mechanism behind it. Quite simply plants and animals have more offspring than are needed to replace the parents. The offspring of a set of parents are not all alike. The offspring with variations most suited to the environment will survive leading to natural selection and evolution of species over time.

In the words of Charles Darwin, "Life on earth has been generated over billions of years in a single branching tree-the Tree of Life". Why do some people still view evolution as a dangerous idea one hundred and fifty years after Darwin published his theory? Evolution calls into question the authority of the Bible as a literal document. Evolution challenges the worldview that human beings have a unique relationship with God, superior to other living beings like plants and animals. Evolution also challenges the idea of a detailed Divine plan.

I am happy to report that an increasing number of clergy find no contradiction between evolution and our faith. Since the Fall of 2004, Michael Zimmerman, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Butler University has launched the Clergy Letter Project encouraging clergy of many denominations to publicly express their "respect for evolutionary theory as a core component of human knowledge, fully harmonious with religious faith." 11,183 signatures have been collected including my own. There is also an increasing dialogue between scientists and clergy seeking to heal the rift between science and religion.

When I think of all the growth and change that led to us being here in this moment, the sacredness of life is magnified. My view of God is not called into question because plants, animals and humans were not created perfectly at the beginning of time. On the contrary, the structures and dynamic relatedness of life is inspiring. Our challenge as a species is to more fully realize our relatedness in the way we live our lives—to do so calls on the best in both science and religion.

What does Confucius say?

2008-02-21T13:14:00.001-08:00

The Master said “The rule of virtue can be compared to the Pole Star which commands the homage of the multitude of stars without leaving its place.” (2:1)

The Master is none other than Confucius. The passage is from The Analects, a collection of Confucius’ sayings. Originally compiled by his students in 497 B.C., the philosophy of Confucius continues to inform contemporary East Asian society influencing both political culture and spiritual life. Confucius’ sayings offer guidance for living a moral life that remains relevant for us today.

Book 2, Chapter 1 touches upon several essential ideas within Confucian thought. This saying is attributed to Confucius himself which suggests its importance. It is concerned with the moral nature of a ruler. If a ruler has a virtuous character, then the subjects will naturally follow. Proper government is by example or moral persuasion not through force or coercion. The use of celestial imagery gives a sense of the cosmic order after which human beings should pattern themselves. Confucius presents a model of Harmony in which Heaven, Earth, and Humanity work in an orderly fashion. He asserts that by following moral principles and customs the ideal society is attainable.

Confucius was not satisfied with the moral character of government. The missing element was “virtue”. Much of The Analects is devoted to describing the nature of “virtue”. The main principles include: benevolence, righteousness, wisdom, courage, trustworthiness, and filial piety. If these qualities are present in rulers, the welfare of the people is guaranteed.

Unfortunately, the moral character of American government is questionable. There is growing concern that the current Administration has deceived the American people. The United States is viewed with suspicion and even hatred by much of the world. Although American leaders often talk about the values of freedom, peace, and justice, some of our actions cast our integrity as a nation into doubt.

The American people are looking for a leader who fits Confucius’ description like the Pole Star, a beacon of hope. This is one of the most wide-open Presidential elections in recent history. During the debates, candidates often become derailed from the issues by sniping at each other. Our leaders need to move beyond divisiveness to realize our greater unity and to address substantive matters.

The Master said, “When you meet someone better than yourself, turn your thoughts to becoming his equal. When you meet someone not as good as you are, look within and examine your own self.” (4:17)

The moral imperative is not to root out the short-comings of other people but to continually strive to better one’s self. According to Confucius, individuals should strive to improve their characters by emulating those people who are “better” or “of superior quality”. When encountering a person who is “not as good”, the instruction is to “look within and examine your own self”. Our central concern should always be self-cultivation.

Our actions are important. Our words have weight. Our thoughts also matter as they govern our behavior and attitudes. As a spiritual practice, all people (even political candidates!) should strive to cultivate virtue by paying attention to our judgments about others and shifting focus back to oneself.

Try this simple practice in the week ahead. When you think someone is better than you, do not put yourself down instead think how you can emulate his or her positive qualities. When you think other people are lesser than you, instead of dismissing them or dwelling on their faults, consider why that judgment or frustration arose within you and how you will move forward with virtue like benevolence, courage, and trustworthiness.

In order to achieve greater harmony than we have known, each one of us needs to be engaged with the upcoming election, participate in public service, and foremost set our own hearts in order. For as Confucius says,

If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character.

If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the home.

If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation.

If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

Ad Campaign on Buses Support Same Sex Marriages

2007-12-30T07:17:00.000-08:00

In December, the Religious Coalition for Marriage Equality launched a bus ad campaign that will run through the month of January. On the side of ten RIPTA buses is a photograph of local religious leaders who support the rights of same-gender couples to be legally married in our state. I am proud to be pictured among twenty-five colleagues of different denominations alongside the caption, “Rhode Island Religious Leaders Supporting Same-Gender Marriage”.

Why would clergy put a large group photo on the side of public buses? This is part of our larger effort, to work toward justice and equality in our state. Ninety-eight religious leaders have signed the Declaration of Religious Support for Same-Gender Marriage. As religious people, we strongly believe that same-gender couples deserve the same rights as opposite gender couples. The ninety-eight signers are from different denominations including: American Baptist, Episcopal, Friends, Jewish, Methodist, Presbyterian, United Church of Christ, and Unitarian Universalist. As people of faith, we are taking public action in support of the right and freedom of marriage in Rhode Island. We want to counter the common misconception that all religions oppose homosexuality and same gender marriage.

We are calling on state officials to recognize that freedom of religion and civil rights are core values upon which our state was founded. The Declaration states, “As leaders in faith communities we know there is a diversity of religious voices and interpretation of historical texts on many matters including sexuality, sexual expression and relationships. We affirm the right of freedom of conscience and differing perspectives of religious traditions in the matter of same-gender marriage. But, with the many diverse, nuanced and multilayered interpretations and teaching of sacred texts we firmly believe it is improper for the state, and those who hold civic public office, to impose on society any theological position. We call upon the state officials to remember that Rhode Island was founded by Roger Williams as a community open to religious diversity. We assert it is the state’s responsibility to remain theologically neutral when in discussion about defining civil rights, relationships and responsibilities.”

Since 1970, the Unitarian Universalist Association has performed services of union for same sex couples. As a minister, I approach gay and lesbian couples with the same joy and respect as heterosexual couples. During premarital counseling, I ask all couples how they met, why they love their partner, and what led to their decision to vow a lifetime of commitment. Couples, whether of the same or opposite gender, speak of their joy in finding a person with whom to share their lives and how being in a committed relationship strengthens them in facing the joys and trials of life.

My prayer is that Rhode Island will offer the privileges and protections of marriage to all residents of our State. Despite the intolerance expressed by many, a marriage is not limited by gender, for truly it is a holy covenant between two people who vow to love and care for one another. It is my solemn prayer that this injustice will be rectified.

For more information on this ad campaign, check out: http://www.marriageequalityri.org/

Read more on the Unitarian Universalists Association's support of Equal Rights for Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender People.

You can learn more about Channing Church at http://www.channingchurch.org/

Theodore Parker: A Life of Reform

2007-12-06T13:16:00.001-08:00

Theodore Parker: A Life of Reform

What can we do to make things better? Foremost, we need to believe that it is possible to make things better, to reform society for the common good. When my faith wavers, I often turn to my spiritual ancestors for inspiration. Unitarian minister, Theodore Parker (1810-1860) lived the charge of his friend Ralph Waldo Emerson, “What is man born for, but to be a reformer?”

“What can we do to make things better?” was Theodore Parker’s constant refrain. He asked this question again and again to the crowds that assembled to hear him while at the same time searching his own mind and heart.

Parker and fellow Transcendentalists believed that all people are endowed with God-given abilities to bring forth truth, beauty, and justice. This means that not only the politicians have the answers to the problems of our times. In fact, the politicians may be more clouded from the truth. Parker would assert that every person has knowledge that can benefit the common good. It is part of our very make-up. We are born with the ability to discern right from wrong, as long as we listen to the still small voice within.

Theodore Parker began his ministry as a scholar and a pastor. As he listened to the “voice of God in the soul” or “conscience”, he became increasingly a reformer. He was a close friend of George Ripley and so often visited the utopian community of Brook Farm, interested in the intellectual exchange and new forms of living being tried there. In the end, Parker concluded that although Brook Farm might have been a success for individuals, really the members were escaping the ills of society. The experimental community did not advance society, solve problems or reform institutions.

Parker spoke out about issues of labor, property, war, education, women’s rights, and temperance. He was a tireless abolitionist speaking in Faneuil Hall, serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad, and even marrying escaped slaves. Theodore Parker had the wisdom to say in response to Biblical passages often cited in support of slavery, that if the Bible supported slavery, the Bible was wrong. He pressed people to see a Higher Law than the superstition of religious dogma. Parker also pressed people to see a Higher Law than economics and property.

What can we do to make things better? We too must listen to “the voice of God in the soul” or “conscience” welling up within us to distinguish right from wrong. We must believe in a Higher Law than individualism and materialism.

We are intelligent people. We can understand the interests of corporations. We know why jobs have been outsourced. We know why manufacturing is now parceled out so that the companies can deliver the cheapest products to Americans, the top-consumers of the world. However, the interests of these ever-larger corporations operating in a global market should not rise above the worth of the human family. The cost of jobs lost to the mechanization of labor is too high. The cost of food and toys being manufactured by workers with few rights and questionable practices is too high. Private ownership of water is against Higher Laws.

What can we do to make things better? Foremost, we must believe in democracy and the principles of freedom. In a speech at the New England Anti-Slavery Convention in Boston, Parker said, “There is what I call the American idea. . . . This idea demands, as the proximate organization thereof, a democracy,--that is, a government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people; of course, a government of the principles of eternal justice, the unchanging law of God; for shortness' sake I will call it the idea of Freedom.” This speech actually inspired President Abraham Lincoln. Now more than ever, we need to preserve “a government of all the people, by all the people, for all the people”. After all, what are we born for, but to be reformers?

Rev. Dr. Carl Scovel dedicates Channing portrait

2007-11-05T07:43:00.001-08:00

For many years, a ghostly black and white photograph of William Ellery Channing (1780-1842) looked down from over the fireplace in the Parish Hall of Channing Memorial Church. The image of the Unitarian minister reminded the congregation of our unique connection to the Newport native who defined American Unitarianism in the early nineteenth century. However, whenever I looked into his face, I could not help but think he looked sad and weary.

Last year, I was approached by the Rev. Dr. Carl Scovel who inquired if our church had a Channing portrait by Spiriodione Gambardella. When I told him about our photograph, Carl explained that he had a copy of the painting that he would like to entrust to the care of a congregation bearing Channing’s name. I took the opportunity pay a visit to Rev. Scovel and see the painting first hand. How refreshing to see William Ellery Channing in color! I was delighted to discover Channing had blue eyes. The portrait has a vibrancy that our photo did not convey.

In fact, this was the one likeness with which Channing himself was satisfied. In a letter to his son, dated 1835, Channing complained of existing paintings of him by Gilbert Stuart, Chester Harding and Charles C. Ingham, as well as a pencil sketch by Edward G. Malbone and a bust by Persico: "I am certainly not vain of my exterior. My countenance would not make me many friends, I fear. What has troubled me in my different portraits is, not that they have not given me a more intellectual expression, but that so little benevolence has beamed from my features. I have learned with the Apostle, to prefer charity to all knowledge; and if I am to be handed down to posterity, I should be pleased to speak from the stone or canvass, or rather to breathe from it, good-will to mankind."

Channing wrote to his son in 1838, "Mr. Gambardella has succeeded in his work. My friends are entirely satisfied with the picture. It is not only a good likeness, but a meritorious work of art. After so many unsuccessful attempts, this poor face is faithfully transferred to canvas, and, on the whole, is better worth looking at than I supposed."

Two copies were made of the original by Gambardella, which is owned by Harvard Divinity School. One copy was made in 1867 by Darius Cobb (1834-1903) and Cyrius Cobb (1834-1919) twin brothers who often worked together is owned by Arlington Street Church in Boston, the congregation William Ellery Channing served for his entire ministry.

The artist of the second copy was a contemporary of the Cobb brothers but remains unknown. However the painting holds a special place in the history of liberal religion as it hung in the study of the Rev. Dr. Dana McLean Greeley who was the first President of the Unitarian Universalist Association. Dana Greeley was also Carl Scovel’s father-in-law. Since Carl inherited the painting, he felt that it should be hung in a church dedicated to Channing. The painting was cleaned and the gilt frame restored by Peter Williams’ Museum Services in Boston who also happens to be a Unitarian Universalist.

It is truly an honor to receive a painting that holds such an important place in the history of our liberal religious movement. As a part of the service on Sunday, November 4th, the Rev. Dr. Carl Scovel will preach and the portrait of William Ellery Channing will be dedicated and hung in our Sanctuary. All are welcome to this historic and meaningful event!

UPDATE: Below is a photo of the Rev. Dr. Carl Scovel and the Rev. Amy Freedman in front of the statue of William Ellery Channing facing Newport's Channing Memorial Church.

"You're a Uni-what?" video

2007-09-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

Below is a link to the video that I made with my husband Peter this summer. This short film was made during his film/tv studies through Boston University's Center for Digital Imaging Arts.

In this video we explore common misconceptions people have about our faith. If you would like to share this video with friends you may direct them to Peter's UU information site, www.uufaq.com. It is designed for people new to Unitarian Universalism.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=st5Pv3lsG60

Seeing clearly takes mind as well as eyes

2007-08-01T05:19:00.001-07:00

Moving through the world without fully perceiving is both common and dangerous. Even with our eyes open, it is possible to not really see just like it is possible to hear without really listening. Our minds are often preoccupied with our own thoughts which keep us from truly connecting with the world around us.

For example, as I was driving through the Point section on my way to church, a white SUV started flashing blue Police lights behind me. Thinking it only needed to pass, I pulled over finding to my dismay that the car stopped directly behind me. I have no recollection of doing so but the Police Officer informed me that I drove through a stop sign on Warner Street. He took my license and made me sit in the car long enough to consider the consequences of my actions. Luckily, I got off with only a warning.

As I pulled away from the curb and back into the flow of traffic, I was much more attentive to the signs, traffic signals, and other cars. Being pulled over was a wake-up call from my racing thoughts. Suddenly, I became fully present to what I was doing. The tasks and people could wait until I arrived safely at my destination. It only takes one accident or close call to remind us how vigilant we should be while driving or simply moving through the world around us.

When our minds are preoccupied, it is possible not only for us to miss things entirely but also to jump to conclusions based on prior experience instead of the evidence before us. This is dangerous not only because we can drive straight through stop signs without noticing but because not really seeing affects our actions and the lives of those around us.

It is possible to improve our observation skills. Amy Herman has designed an observation training program at the Frick Collection in New York City. Thanks to Herman’s unique insights as a former federal prosecutor and a current museum curator, the Fifth Avenue mansion hung with masterpieces by Rembrandt, Bellini, and El Greco, has become a training ground for New York’s finest!

The New York City Police Department sends captains, sergeants, and Department executives to participate in observation training at the Frick Collection. The officers are given a limited amount of time to examine a work of art and then to articulate what they observe. This practice of taking in the entire canvass, foreground and background as well as being aware of personal cultural biases when viewing any scene or image helps the law enforcement officers when they approach a crime scene. A similar program is also offered for medical students whose profession depends on their ability to diagnose patients. In both of these cases it is important that the officer or doctor be aware of their own assumptions in order to see the truth more clearly and respond accordingly.

No matter whether our profession is in law enforcement or medicine, education or the military, counseling or parenting, business or retail, art or real estate, the ability to see clearly is essential to live with integrity. Above all, improving our powers of observation is actually opening our ability to connect with the world in the present moment instead of viewing things only through the cloud of our own assumptions.

I challenge you to expand your observation skills. Take time to look at objects and people around you with new eyes. Practice the art of observation at a museum or really look at the details found in a picture book. Train your eye to take in both the background and foreground of the scene before you. Talk to other people about what they see. Walk through the world like it is a work of art. Becoming more mindful will enable us to move through the world with greater integrity, clarity, and care.

Summer Service Series at Channing Church Exploring the Seven Deadly Sins!

2007-07-02T07:59:00.001-07:00

This Summer Channing Church is offering a series of services exploring the Seven Deadly Sins. This is an unusual subject for a Unitarian Universalist congregation. As religious liberals, we tend to focus more on the life-affirming values of freedom, reason, and tolerance. This theme was selected as a way for us to consider the relevance of these ancient teachings on our contemporary lives. At Channing Church we are blessed with church members who enjoy delving into meaningful subjects. The speakers in this series have unique insights to share from their own experience.

What are the Seven Deadly Sins? Early Christian teachings categorized human vices. The following sins were considered to cause eternal damnation unless the sinner confessed and sought forgiveness: Pride, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, and Sloth.

Through out our lives and through the course of our days we are visited by these impulses. When we are not mindful they step in to govern our thoughts, words and actions.

The Seven Deadly Sins are illustrations of the perils of excess. There are many works of art that show grotesque characters as the epitome of each sin. Often they have exaggerated facial features and bawdy postures. In the Middle Ages, the Seven were featured in religious dramas that enacted conflicts between vices and virtues.

The Seven Deadly Sins are not just a quaint relic of the past. Think for a moment about modern entertainment. Certainly the popular television series “The Sopranos” had its share of Pride, Envy, Anger, Lust, Gluttony, Greed, and Sloth. Perhaps this also explains why people tune in to Jerry Springer and “Desperate Housewives”. There is laughter of recognition and a release of our pent-up anxieties when we see the conflict between vice and virtue acted out whether in a book or on the stage or screen.

Unitarian Universalists do not generally spend a great deal of time talking about sin. I am glad that our liberal religious movement has cast off guilt and shame as a motivation for being virtuous. However, in our affirmation of the worth and dignity of the individual, we often fail to acknowledge and remedy our own indulgences, transgressions, and wrongdoings. For anyone to act as if we are somehow above or beyond these universal human impulses, is true hubris. Appropriately enough, Pride is considered the first of the Seven Deadly Sins because egotism and self-centeredness keeps us from recognizing our own flaws and failings.

As my colleague, Forrest Church writes, “I define the word sin simply. It is anything that divides us: within ourselves; against our neighbor; from the ground of being, the god of all creation.” I find this definition helpful. It reminds me that “sin” is not just about judgment or shame from an outside source. “Sin” is that which divides me within myself, against other people, and from the ground of all being, which some call God or the Sacred or the Interdependent Web of Life.

We must find the path of health and wholeness not only for our own souls but in relationship with the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. Each of the Seven Deadly Sins are misguided attempts at happiness in which our own cravings and desires blinds us to the true source of happiness which is being in harmony and balance with the universe.

All are welcome to attend the Summer series at Channing Church. Each service will offer music, reflections, and ideas for how these basic drives impact our choices and relationships. As you can imagine, facing our flaws requires both honesty and a sense of humor. May we find ways to be more open with ourselves and one another about the thoughts, words and deeds that cause pain, and become more intentional on our spiritual path toward true happiness.

Howe's spirit is infused in Mother's Day

2007-05-23T18:55:00.000-07:00

On the front pew of Channing Memorial Church there is a small bronze plaque engraved with the name Julia Ward Howe (1819-1910). On this weekend when many send cards and visit their mothers, it is fitting to pay tribute to a woman who is considered by some the founder of Mother’s Day.

Despite losing her mother at the age of five, Julia was a bright and spirited girl, known for her beauty and striking red hair. The Ward children had the most carefree time during the summer months staying with their grandparents in Newport, RI. They were allowed to run and play on Third Beach which was in sharp contrast to their strict upbringing in New York high society.

At a time when education was considered unwarranted for girls, Julia enjoyed attending a private school for young ladies. She thrived on her studies. Through out her lifetime she was a voracious reader and published several volumes of poetry.

Julia Ward married at the age of twenty-four, so much later than many of her contemporaries that there were whispers she might have become an old maid. Her husband was Dr. Samuel Gridley Howe, head of Perkins Institute for the Blind. Although he admired her intelligence, Samuel felt that Julia’s forthright and independent manner was unbecoming for his future wife. Upon his insistence, she agreed to give up her aspirations for a literary career. However, with the support of her brothers she retained her maiden name to be known as Julia Ward Howe instead of Mrs. Samuel Gridley Howe.

The Howes took up residence in Boston often entertaining statesmen, great thinkers and abolitionists. Julia learned to cook and clean without any domestic help, as well as caring for their six children. It was in Boston that Julia became a Unitarian and a close associate of the Rev. James Freeman Clarke.

When the Civil War broke out, Dr. Howe became a member of the Sanitary Commission. In 1861, Julia accompanied her husband on a trip to Washington along with Governor and Mrs. Andrews and the Rev. James Freeman Clarke. They visited with President Abraham Lincoln and attended a review of the Union troops.

During their long journey, they passed the time by singing songs. One was the popular ditty, “John Brown’s Body”. Her minister suggested that Julia write new lyrics to the stirring tune. That same night, she awoke from her hotel room bed and in one sitting wrote the words of the now famous Battle Hymn of the Republic. When she returned home, she submitted her verse to the Atlantic Monthly, which paid her $5 to publish her work anonymously. The song was widely sung both by soldiers in the battlefield and in public ceremonies. Julia Ward Howe received acclaim through out her life and was often called upon to recite her work for public gatherings. Even today, the Battle Hymn is often heard at ceremonial occasions.

As a part of the abolitionist movement and in support of the war effort, Julia worked closely with other women sewing clothes and bandages and organizing bazaars. After the Civil War, she was a leader in the Women’s Suffrage Movement, demonstrating that females are capable of so much more than housework and raising children. With the encouragement of the Rev. Charles Brooks, the first minister of the Unitarian church in Newport, she also began a full schedule of public speaking and preaching.

Julia Ward Howe first organized Mother’s Day in 1872 as a day dedicated to peace. Her motivation was quite different from the modern holiday. She felt that women as the bearers of children held a powerful position in the protection of human life from the violence of war. She organized an international campaign known as the Women’s Peace Crusade.

On this Mother’s Day, we can celebrate that American women have the right to vote, to education, to work outside the home, to publish openly, and to hold public office. In times of war, women are no longer limited to sewing and nursing but serve in the armed forces and government. However, we must also recognize that not all women enjoy equal status around the globe. We honor the countless mothers who have suffered the loss of their sons and daughters in war. Julia Ward Howe is a shining example of a woman who lived her convictions and strived through out her life to reform society to become more just and equitable. In the same way, let us find ways to become an ever more loving and inclusive world community.

Step It Up!

2007-04-23T17:02:00.000-07:00

Newport RI Step It Up report.

Newport Daily News Clergy Corner:

"Step It Up!"

Grab a jacket, invite your neighbors, and head to Easton’s Beach boardwalk! On Saturday, April 14th at noon, residents of Aquidneck Island are gathering to express how much we value our beautiful home and the urgent need to protect it. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a nationwide movement. In all fifty states, thousands will gather with the message, “Step It Up Congress! Cut carbon 80% by 2050”.

Sheldon Whitehouse, US Senator for Rhode Island is a strong supporter of this initiative and will be one of the speakers on Easton’s Beach. “From Rhode Island's Narragansett Bay to ecosystems and communities all over the world, global warming is a serious threat that demands immediate and urgent action”, said Whitehouse. As a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, Senator Whitehouse supports legislation to reduce carbon emissions nationally.

LeRoy White who is well-known in this area for his inspirational music and message, will offer songs and lead us in praise of our ocean home. “Step It Up!” will also include speeches by local leaders and business people as well as information about personal steps you can take to help reduce climate change.

This local event is being organized by Kelly Kittel and Beth Milham as a part of a joint effort of Portsmouth United Methodist Church and Channing Memorial Church, Unitarian Universalist. Both congregations have begun efforts to become “green sanctuaries”, that it is to preach, teach, and take actions that honor the earth and the web of life. We feel it is our moral and spiritual responsibility to do all that we can to protect and preserve our planet home. This is an issue that affects all people and living beings.

Scientists agree that climate change is real. Due to human emissions of greenhouse gases and deforestation, carbon dioxide is becoming trapped in our thickening atmosphere. We have already begun to see the negative impact with temperatures reaching record levels, melting of glaciers, sea levels rising, and the increasing ocean temperature causing more severe storms. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita should serve as wake-up calls to the devastating impact these trends could have locally and globally.

Rhode Island is only 37 miles wide by 48 miles long but our small state has 400 miles of coastline. Many of us live here because of the awesome beauty of that coastline. However, as anyone who is lucky enough to live on oceanfront property can tell you, our beaches are undergoing significant erosion. Without question, rising sea levels along our shores would disrupt every aspect of our lives including coastal communities, drinking water, energy supply, economy, and public health.

On April 14th, people across the nation will send a message to Congress that American citizens are concerned about the environment and want the leadership in Washington to take action. Reducing carbon emissions 80% by the middle of the century is an ambitious goal. Unfortunately, it may be too late to prevent global warming but it is possible to stave off the most catastrophic effects. There is a growing commitment to switch from fossil fuels to new sources of energy. It will take strong legislation to reduce emissions at least 2% a year in order to slow the potentially disastrous effects of higher temperatures across the world.

Spring is the perfect season to step up your commitment to the earth. If you cannot make the rally, I encourage you to call members of congress, urging them to “Step It Up!”, and to visit the “Step It Up!” website: http://www.stepitup2007.org/

Love is central theme to Universalist belief

2006-11-25T08:25:00.000-08:00

“God is Love”. There is a great deal of history behind those three simple words. In 1759, James Relly wrote a book entitled “Union”, a theological treatise on Universalism. The predominant Calvinist convictions of his day was that all humankind held the mark of original sin as a result of Adam’s fall and that people must be saved from this sin or suffer in hell. Calvinism held the belief that Christ freed some souls by his atoning death. This meant that only a select few would enter heaven, which left a bleak picture of hellfire and brimstone for most people. James Relly spread the good news that through his atoning death, Christ freed not some but all of humankind.

John Murray became a disciple of Relly. His new Universalist faith was not without its costs. He was formally dismissed by the Methodist Tabernacle. Murray lost his business; his friends turned away from him. He suffered the misfortune of losing both his infant child and his wife to an unknown disease then was thrown into prison for the debts he had incurred to care for them. Vowing never to preach again, Murray sailed to America on a ship.

In 1770, Murray arrived in America. Due to a navigational error, the brig became lodged on a sandbar just off the coast of New Jersey near a town called Good Luck. As the story goes, a nearby farmer named Thomas Potter had built a chapel and welcomed itinerant preachers of many faiths. Yet none of the visiting ministers preached the universal faith so dear to him that is until John Murray came ashore seeking provisions.

Both Potter and Murray believed their chance meeting was a sign of God’s Providence.

John Murray is considered the father of Universalism. He became the minister of the First Universalist Church in America in Gloucester, Massachusetts. One of his most famous statements was “Give them not hell, but hope and courage; preach the kindness and everlasting love of God.” On his deathbed in 1815 he is quoted as saying, “Remember, there is One who loveth you, with an everlasting love and will never leave you nor forsake you.”

One of the controversies surrounding Universalism even back to the time of Relly was the argument that if both saints and sinners are destined for heaven, why bother doing good? In 1805, Hosea Ballou, a Universalist preacher of the next generation, asserted that human beings are motivated by a desire for happiness and that sin is often a misguided attempt at happiness. True happiness comes in acting in accord with the system of universal benevolence and the rewards ripple outward to other people. Living a life of selfishness and dishonesty cuts a person off from true fulfillment. Atonement comes when we are reconciled with our fellow human beings and therefore aligned with God’s love.

Universalists and Unitarians consolidated in 1961 to form the Unitarian Universalist Association. As well as Theists, our liberal religious tradition includes Humanists, Buddhists, Agnostics, Atheists, and others for whom God is not central to their personal beliefs. However, all Unitarian Universalists deeply value the inherent worth and dignity of all people and the transforming power of love.

Religion is about real life. Theologians have complicated theories about the nature of God and the afterlife. Religion is about the search for ultimate meaning within our daily existence. Just because we may have rejected the doctrines and creeds of our childhood does not mean that we have given up on religion itself. We discover our sense of meaning in the lives we live, in the home, in the community, and in the world.

To believe “God is Love” means the sacred is found in relationship, in connection. This is a process that continues through out our daily living. True happiness lies not in individual attainment, but when we discover a power that is deeper and wider than self. When we are conscious of the intimate relationship of all beings, to act with justice and mercy in the world leads to personal fulfillment. Together we can build a better world. The Divine is not the goal of life but the very path on which we travel. In the words of Universalist minister, Robert Miller: “Live as though the essential power and force of the universe is love, goodness, truth, and beauty. Then you shall discover the faith for which you so ardently long”.

Rev. Amy Bowden Freedman is the minister of Channing Memorial Church, a Unitarian Universalist congregation in Newport.