How Congregations Shape and Are Shaped by Society
This is especially for people who don't understand why people go to church, especially if they don't believe in the religious tenants of that congregation (mine accepts people of many beliefs though we do have a problem with beliefs that are considered the one and only right way). It could also be good for people who don't think their congregation is helping to shape our society.
The Alban Institute has an article: Top Ten Ways Congregations Shape and Are Shaped by Society. They explain each of the 10, but here they are in a short list with some comments about how I feel about how this works in my congregation:
1. Strangers meet on common ground. (In my congregation, these strangers are very diverse in race, cultural background, life experience, religious background, sexual preference, and beliefs. This may be true of many religions, but the last 2 less so for most and the first two not-so-much for many.)
2. Fear of the stranger is faced and dealt with. (In our situation of being multicultural, I believe it helps end fear of people who are very different from them, including their oppression, which includes racism and other isms.)
3. Scarce resources are shared and abundance is generated. (We do an awful lot for such a small congregation.)
4. Conflict occurs and is resolved. (We are doing this better than we used to and are trying to do this even better. Inner conflict for individuals is often resolved.)
5. Life is given color, texture, drama, a festive air. (Definitely!)
6. People are drawn out of themselves. (We teach the children to sign a hymn that we use at the beginning of every service that helps build their confidence and feel a part of the whole congregation; also we share our joys and concerns with each other - all ages participate.)
7. Mutual responsibility becomes evident and mutual aid possible. (We have an active Caring Committee and small groups that create more intimate relationships.)
8. Opinions become audible and accountable. (We use the Democratic process & have many discussion groups.)
9. Vision is projected and projects are attempted. (We have Social Action programs.)
10. People are empowered and protected against power. (Ending racial/oppressive power systems help achieve this, but many congregations are a microcosm of society - we have many religious institutions but racism persists and people are blind to it by saying that we're in a post-racial society. We all have continuous work to do on this, but I hope my congregation can stand as a model to how change can happen - we are held up as one in only four truly multicultural UU congregations.)
The Alban Institute has an article: Top Ten Ways Congregations Shape and Are Shaped by Society. They explain each of the 10, but here they are in a short list with some comments about how I feel about how this works in my congregation:
1. Strangers meet on common ground. (In my congregation, these strangers are very diverse in race, cultural background, life experience, religious background, sexual preference, and beliefs. This may be true of many religions, but the last 2 less so for most and the first two not-so-much for many.)
2. Fear of the stranger is faced and dealt with. (In our situation of being multicultural, I believe it helps end fear of people who are very different from them, including their oppression, which includes racism and other isms.)
3. Scarce resources are shared and abundance is generated. (We do an awful lot for such a small congregation.)
4. Conflict occurs and is resolved. (We are doing this better than we used to and are trying to do this even better. Inner conflict for individuals is often resolved.)
5. Life is given color, texture, drama, a festive air. (Definitely!)
6. People are drawn out of themselves. (We teach the children to sign a hymn that we use at the beginning of every service that helps build their confidence and feel a part of the whole congregation; also we share our joys and concerns with each other - all ages participate.)
7. Mutual responsibility becomes evident and mutual aid possible. (We have an active Caring Committee and small groups that create more intimate relationships.)
8. Opinions become audible and accountable. (We use the Democratic process & have many discussion groups.)
9. Vision is projected and projects are attempted. (We have Social Action programs.)
10. People are empowered and protected against power. (Ending racial/oppressive power systems help achieve this, but many congregations are a microcosm of society - we have many religious institutions but racism persists and people are blind to it by saying that we're in a post-racial society. We all have continuous work to do on this, but I hope my congregation can stand as a model to how change can happen - we are held up as one in only four truly multicultural UU congregations.)