A Story of Commitment

Responding this post about committing to a church, Terri Pahucki of UU Intersections shared her story:

The topic of commitment to a congregation is especially significant to me. I have only been a UU for a little less than three years now, and already I have made the commitment to not one—but two congregations. The first, First Unitarian of Rochester, came easily—out of a sense of spiritual bonding. I really felt that I had found my spiritual home, and signing the book was natural.

Then, less than a year later, my husband and I needed to relocate five hours away for his job. Moving away from the congregation I loved was very difficult. I was very involved with First U as a young adult leader, and had made so many lasting connections. But when I moved, I realized that my commitment moved beyond the church and the people—that it was a commitment to Unitarian Universalism itself. I realized that I wanted to continue along that spiritual path no matter where I was.

I’ll be honest—I cried on the way to the new member ceremony at my new church, Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Rock Tavern. I liked the new church, but it just wasn’t home yet. However, I chose to become a member at the new church because I wanted to be fully involved and present where I was. I wanted to share my gifts with this church, and to participate fully in their rebuilding (they had just lost the old church to fire)—particularly from the “spiritual rebuilding” end of things. Within a couple months I had already assumed leadership roles, but it wasn’t really until recently that this place also became my home.

I visit Rochester often as it is my hometown, and I listen to every First U sermon on podcast, and read every newsletter…I am also very connected to people at UUCRT, and have even been asked to join the board (I have not made that commitment yet though, as my husband and I may have to move again…). In short, I feel bonded now in my heart to two congregations. I have often wondered if I am “over-committed” emotionally. (I’ve always been a girl whose heart has a hard time settling on one thing….)

I think that commitment is one of the most emotionally laden topic’s there is—and you have only tapped the surface in your blog… But thank you for your courage in opening that door…

You can see why I had to bring this story up from the comments into its own post. Terri, thank you for sharing this! It’s a vivid illustration of the emotions involved in leaving a beloved congregation behind, and starting to “rebuild” with a new one. It’s also a comforting reminder that as much as many of us love our individual congregations, we are also part of something larger (the network of Unitarian Universalist congregations that spans the country, and even the world).