Spirituality and Social Justice
What is My Spirituality? What is my Religion?
For some people spirituality and religion mean the same thing. For others they are diabolically opposed, shying away from any formal religion. For me, spirituality and religion are partners in how I live. My religion is Unitarian Universalist (UU), not the most common of religions like Roman Catholicism I grew up with. As a UU I go to Sunday services, follow a set of values that emphasize how I should live my life, volunteer as a member of this Beloved Community, and welcome everyone as they are. My spirituality is the “soul work” I do on my own, maybe in silent meditation, centering prayers or walking in the woods. This time provides sacred space to dive deeper into how I live my values, what is my intention in living, and connecting with my seeking soul. I have no mandated creed or scripture, no god with a capital G, but use the principles and teachings from other world religions, such as Buddhism, Hinduism, Native American spirituality and ritual, Judaism and matriarchal societies, as source of practices and teachings. I’ll be writing about both religion and spirituality - maybe individually or maybe overlapping - in many posts. Keep an eye on the part of this page to connect.
When did Social Justice become a part of My Life?
It was in 9th grade English class when our assignment was to research and write a term paper. I don’t know if the term, “term paper”, is even taught anymore, but for me it was a labor of love to learn proper paragraph structure, how to do research, and the critical components of citations. My mother suggested the topic: apartheid and South Africa. She studied it in college and thought it was important for me to learn. She was right. Learning about Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu, and other important resistance leaders provided me with the introduction to advocacy, civil disobedience, marches, and protests. Moreover, apartheid illustrated the unjust use of separation and power of dehumanization that I had not seen at that time. Advocacy became my career for many years. Working towards social justice became part of my religion. Stay connected with the work I’m doing on social justice issues by reading the posts below.
Sermon
Mother’s Day sermon without my mother, but a tribute to the love and safety she gave me to build a curious mind. (22 mins)
I Write What I Like
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Don’t let the word “sermon” freak you out. I am not one to preach or set doctrine. I don’t claim to be a direct descent of any all powerful god or Oz. I’m merely using the definition of religious discourse. My sermons are philosophical and theological expeditions that I present to congregations as a way of connecting through deep thought. I will be building a library of sermons so stay connected to find that link.
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As a person who loves to write, it would be weird not to share some of the papers I have written in college, grad school, seminary and for fun. WIth these papers come my prayers. I have discovered in seminary and in my UU religion that anybody can write a prayer, mantra, or meditation, so I do. Sometimes the words come to me as I try to connect with my spiritual self during my struggles. Other times they are adaptations of prayers, quotes or mantras that don’t seem to “fit”. A few word changes can make all the difference. Enjoy the prayers that are below in the posts. Maybe they will serve as a way to connect.
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I received the gift of life-long learning from my mother and father. In retirement both enrolled in classes and programs until they physically and mentally could not. Both facilitated varying workshops over the years on the expertise they gained through work and hobbies. They loved it as both were educated as teachers in college. It is in their spirit of being educators, learners, listeners and mentors that I too enjoy putting together and facilitating workshops. You can read about the workshops, groups and educational material I create in the posts below. A calendar will be posted when I have a regular schedule of events.
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I am not your typical seminary student, if there is one. I don’t adhere to strict doctrine or salvation practices but live my life with a list of values (justice, equality, transformation, pluralism, interdependency, and generosity). I swear, indulge in comfort foods, and have a flexible prayer schedule. I don’t wear special robes or hats, rather exciting finds from the local thrift stores. I don’t think my religion or spiritual practices are the best or only ones that count - that would be narcissistic and I’m not. I am a white woman who is studying Black Liberation Theology, Holocaust Theology, the relationship of religion to social justice issues, matriarchal communities and religious ethics, not typical areas for priests and ministers. I am enrolled in the interdisciplinary chaplaincy program, which means I study and learn a variety of religions for a variety of jobs in differing careers paths.
See below for the most current posts
What…me on a podcast..? Check it out!
Workshops on Prison Reform
Congregational Study Issue: Abolition
I may know what you are thinking…abolition…isn’t that slavery…isn’t that gone? No slavery not gone, but don’t get me started because that is a whole different post. In this context, “abolition” means working towards prison reform and the idea that people are not disposable.
LET’S CONNECT!
Have a question …something you want to share…wondering if I can come over for dinner…or you think you knew me from back when I used to have short hair…then send me a note. Would love to connect!