UU Community Visits
The Prairie State
After a long journey getting 2017 rolling (and traveling to New York in March only to miss services to care for Austin during his unfortunate flu-ridden weekend), I was able to take a quick mid-week drive up to Chicago, Illinois. Having been stationed at Naval Air Station Glenview in the mid-1980s, it was a look back at my past while making an honest inquiry into my future attending seminary.
I was visiting Meadville Lombard Theological School for their 25 Hours @ Meadville Lombard – Prospective Student Conference. The conference included time with current seminarians, staff, faculty, and the school president, while also enjoying the company of other prospective students from around the country.
Highlights of my visit:
Architecture: Just the modern Spertus Building itself is a reason to tour. With the views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan, one tucks themselves among the stacks of historical leather-bound books in the Wiggin Library.
Fahs Collaborative: The Fahs Collaborative is a “laboratory that brings people together to explore and create innovative ways to deepen faith through educational encounters” (a Meadville Lombard program).
Vespers: Wednesday evening service on “Covenant,” prepared and led by Meadville Lombard seminarians attending spring intensives.
President’s Dinner: Excerpt viewing of the film, “Defying the Nazis: The Sharps’ War,” followed by open discussion with President Lee Barker, Provost Dr. Sharon Welch, and Historian/Meadville Lombard Archivist John Leeker.
Lecture: As prospective students, we were warmly welcomed into Dr. Mike Hogue’s class, “Cosmos & Ethos – Climate Justice & Theology,” joining in discussion and group thought on questions about systematic and constructive theology.
Congress Hotel: Although the weather wasn’t cooperating on the rainy Wednesday, the stay at the Congress Hotel, with direct views of Grant Park and Lake Michigan, were nonetheless amazing and inviting.
But, with all the glamour and intellect, it was the spirit of the people that brought kinship to us all in our endevour to learn about becoming Unitarian Universalist leaders through lay leadership and ministry. Atherton, a shared space with a view, brought safety, warmth, and the belonging feeling that one relishes in a place of acceptance and diversity.
— Special thanks to Jim Proctor, Officer of Recruitment, for the relentless planning and warm welcome, and to Seminarian Jon Coffee, Meadville Lombard Regional Coordinator & Interim Chaplain of Pastoral Care at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee. Jon was the first to greet us and the last to hug us as we left on our separate ways.
Maps, beaches and a bucket list
As we continue to work our way to even more UU communities, I can’t help but take joy in the loving and accepting people our faith attracts! Our growth from your shared knowledge is immense and will be with us always.
2015 ended with my 14-year-old son, Austin, marking his 43rd state visited! As a homeschooling mom, I can’t imagine a better life experience for him than physically seeing the many places in our history books.
I’ve also now visited all but one state, and I can’t wait to take that trip to Alaska to complete my map. (Still on my bucket list!) But with 2016, comes a move to Hawai’i. Of course it won’t be so simple, but we plan to keep our summers busy with mainland travel. The motorhome will still be waiting us each time we set foot on the lower-48.
Here’s to a wondrous 2016!
The Gem State
Pulling into Boise, Idaho, we found a true gem settled in a green valley, the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship. While Boise is the state capital, it is also home to the largest UU church in the state, and to an ecologically forward thinking community full of bike trails and green spaces. BUUF itself does not let one down either, its park space is full of hidden surprises and peaceful walkways fitting for all ages.
At the pulpit was the Rev. Sara LaWall, offering her first full service to the members of BUUF as their newly seated minister. With honesty and compassion, Rev. LaWall presented herself to the congregation as an imperfect leader in an imperfect world. A person with love, knowledge, and the desire to give of herself to the fellowship but also holding the modesty of a true learned scholar. A message wonderfully balanced with the soulful sounds and music of Hans York.
Rev. LaWall referenced Irish writer John O’Donohue’s book, “To Bless the Space Between Us: A Book of Blessings.” In it, O’Donohue teaches that not only are blessings needed and desired, but that anyone can give a blessing. LaWall continued to explain that our lives hold these special moments, these times “often crying out for a blessing.” But, most important within her message, was that we as individuals, we can be the ones to bring the special blessings into our everyday lives and into simple, everyday moments.
At a time of beginning, Rev. LaWall asked that she and the congregation, together, “make risk [their] greatest ally,” and give change a warm welcome, knowing that “this moment is bigger than any individual self.”
I felt this sentiment strongly within because with this stop, with Boise, and with Rev. LaWall, Austin and I are again on our trail and on our path to explore the true identity of modern Unitarian Universalism.
For more information on the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, visit: www.boiseUU.org
To hear the music of Hans York, check out www.hansyork.com
Enjoy a photo mosaic of the beautiful BUUF campus at https://travelingtuusome.com/2015/09/21/boise-uu-fellowship-in-pictures/
Boise UU Fellowship in Pictures
Such a beautiful location and mini-park on the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship campus.
Here are a few of the things we loved!
Visiting Boise
After spending the last week in Elko & on the Shoshone-Paiute Tribal Lands, Nevada, enjoying the local cuisine and time with family, we are now at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho, and will be attending services at the Boise Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Garden City, Idaho, this coming Sunday.
Fall 2015 Route = Heading west!
Our route is locked in. Didn’t plan on the extra miles for Oregon and Washington this trip but just couldn’t see going all the way to Berkeley and not hitting them! Taking it easy as we go, so we’ll announce actual visits as they come.
See you on the road!
Launch Date Announced
Launching August 19th!
We are so excited to be headed back on the road and visiting with everyone again! This next trip will cover four months and a travel route spanning from California to Massachusetts.
Exact visit dates with locations will be announced as we travel.
Come June
Come June, the lilies will be blooming, the summer birds will return, and I will be back in the RV headed to New England!
One Assembly, Two Assembly
Today was filled with applications, registrations and reservations for both the MidAmerica Regional Assembly-Bloomington, Indiana, to be held on April 12th, and the UUA General Assembly, June 25th-29th, in Providence, Rhode Island.
As some of you may recall, I attended GA last year in Louisville as a volunteer and I’ve applied to volunteer again this year. With registration as costly as a campsite or dorm room, the price to attend can add up too quickly when one is not sponsored by a congregation.
Volunteering is a great way to get access to most of the Assembly (less the 24 hours working spread out over up to 6 days), and as I found out last year, it’s a great way to quickly meet a large number of dedicated UUs with a strong desire to play an active role in the Assembly.
So here’s hoping to see you at GA! Last year’s memories are still here too!
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For more info on GA, visit the GA 2014 page.
Interested in volunteering? Check out these ‘Volunteer Opportunities.’
Find your UUA Region here.
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