UUCQ and changes
A few months back my Unitarian Universalist congregation, UUCQ, announced it was in serious financial trouble and could no longer afford to pay a full time pastor. One of the major reasons I attend UUCQ is Ian White Maher, the pastor. He is a enigmatic, spiritual man devoted to increasing the spiritual practice of the congregation. The problem with that, and with UUs in general, is that many of the members are not interested in spiritual growth. A large portion of my congregation approaches Sunday service as a social event rather than a time to connect with the Divine. The nice thing about being a UU is you can bring your own personal religious beliefs with you. So we have atheists, Christians, Catholics, people who are trying to figure out if they believe in a God and people who were born into the UU faith. It usually makes for an interesting mix leading to thoughtful conversations and dialog. However, those people in the congregation who see the church as only a social gathering point sometimes don't try to understand and appreciate those who don't share their views. For them, losing the pastor is no big deal. But there are those of us who need that spiritual direction and guidance.
Right now, the church board is looking to cut costs by eliminating the position of pastor and hiring guest pastors each week. This means that if anyone has a spiritual crisis, there will be no one to turn to. Thinking back to Bree's hospitalization last year, Ian stepped up and visited her several times and we weren't even members yet. We needed his support. Who will be there for that kind of guidance if there isn't even a part time pastor?
Ian, realizing that the congregation would dither about what to do unless their hand was forced, resigned. He is now looking at two positions and the possibility of starting a new UU church in Brooklyn. He has asked a few people to join him in the latter endeavor and I was one of the people he chose.
I'm dithering. On the one hand, I do like the majority of the people in UUCQ. On the other hand, despite our creed that we respect religious diversity, I usually end up feeling like my beliefs aren't respected by many of the people there. Believe me, it's not good to be tapped on the shoulder while you are clearly meditating before the service because someone needs to say hello to you right fucking now. Also, the panic I'm seeing in the face of serious financial issues leads me to believe that this congregation won't have legs for the long term. There is a large youth group which Bree initially enjoyed but the new youth leader tends to rub her the wrong way. I guess it boils down to staying in a familiar place and not getting what feeds me spiritually or taking the risk of being part of something that could be truly amazing and soul feeding if it works. Dither, Dither, Dither.
Right now, the church board is looking to cut costs by eliminating the position of pastor and hiring guest pastors each week. This means that if anyone has a spiritual crisis, there will be no one to turn to. Thinking back to Bree's hospitalization last year, Ian stepped up and visited her several times and we weren't even members yet. We needed his support. Who will be there for that kind of guidance if there isn't even a part time pastor?
Ian, realizing that the congregation would dither about what to do unless their hand was forced, resigned. He is now looking at two positions and the possibility of starting a new UU church in Brooklyn. He has asked a few people to join him in the latter endeavor and I was one of the people he chose.
I'm dithering. On the one hand, I do like the majority of the people in UUCQ. On the other hand, despite our creed that we respect religious diversity, I usually end up feeling like my beliefs aren't respected by many of the people there. Believe me, it's not good to be tapped on the shoulder while you are clearly meditating before the service because someone needs to say hello to you right fucking now. Also, the panic I'm seeing in the face of serious financial issues leads me to believe that this congregation won't have legs for the long term. There is a large youth group which Bree initially enjoyed but the new youth leader tends to rub her the wrong way. I guess it boils down to staying in a familiar place and not getting what feeds me spiritually or taking the risk of being part of something that could be truly amazing and soul feeding if it works. Dither, Dither, Dither.