Comments on: Valuing Unitarian Universalist Communities http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities Religion and spirituality from a Unitarian Universalist perspective Wed, 08 Oct 2008 04:43:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Shelby Meyerhoff http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11324 Shelby Meyerhoff Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:33:23 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11324 Hi Aaron and Terri, Thanks for commenting. Aaron, I agree there are a lot of different kinds of communities, and that cyber communities can be effective at shaping how participants self-identify. I do think congregations are important to our movement, but that we don't have to focus solely on real-life, UUA-official congregations to grow our movement. Terri, the Celestial Lands piece was so insightful and I think is making a strong case for UU's to come up with new ways of growing communities. Hi Aaron and Terri, Thanks for commenting. Aaron, I agree there are a lot of different kinds of communities, and that cyber communities can be effective at shaping how participants self-identify. I do think congregations are important to our movement, but that we don’t have to focus solely on real-life, UUA-official congregations to grow our movement.

Terri, the Celestial Lands piece was so insightful and I think is making a strong case for UU’s to come up with new ways of growing communities.

]]> By: Terri http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11256 Terri Tue, 26 Feb 2008 01:48:20 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11256 Great post, Shelby! I agree we need to create "more opportunities for all folks who identify as UU and all folks who want to learn more about UUism to do so in communities of worship and friendship." This post and one over at Celestial Lands (which offers some great examples of inclusive NON-congregational communities) have really got me thinking of all the possibilities for community building BEYOND congregations.... Great post, Shelby! I agree we need to create “more opportunities for all folks who identify as UU and all folks who want to learn more about UUism to do so in communities of worship and friendship.” This post and one over at Celestial Lands (which offers some great examples of inclusive NON-congregational communities) have really got me thinking of all the possibilities for community building BEYOND congregations….

]]> By: Aaron Sawyer http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11250 Aaron Sawyer Mon, 25 Feb 2008 20:23:33 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11250 I feel that congregationalism is destructive to the UU movement. DiscoverUU is a community of UU's just like The Daily Kos is a community of political liberals. We all find a way to connect to those around us. Congregationalism has been pretty unsuccessful for UUism in the last few decades. I'd recommend using a wider umbrella to get more people to identify as UU. Congregations will follow. I feel that congregationalism is destructive to the UU movement. DiscoverUU is a community of UU’s just like The Daily Kos is a community of political liberals. We all find a way to connect to those around us.
Congregationalism has been pretty unsuccessful for UUism in the last few decades. I’d recommend using a wider umbrella to get more people to identify as UU. Congregations will follow.

]]> By: Shelby Meyerhoff http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11226 Shelby Meyerhoff Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:21:49 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11226 Ms. Theologian, Thanks for commenting. I'm sorry to hear that the discussion has been so disheartening; of course deciding who's "in" and "out" should not be the focus of our UU discussions. Like Jeff, I saw a number of bloggers and commenters arguing against strict congregationalism, so I think that others share your desire for inclusivity (and I do as well). Ms. Theologian,

Thanks for commenting. I’m sorry to hear that the discussion has been so disheartening; of course deciding who’s “in” and “out” should not be the focus of our UU discussions.

Like Jeff, I saw a number of bloggers and commenters arguing against strict congregationalism, so I think that others share your desire for inclusivity (and I do as well).

]]> By: Ms. Theologian http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11225 Ms. Theologian Mon, 25 Feb 2008 03:17:25 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11225 I'm pretty sure I didn't read everything on the membership issue, but I appreciate you bringing that up. That's good to hear. I'm actually holding out until I become famous and then am claimed as a UU. :lol: I’m pretty sure I didn’t read everything on the membership issue, but I appreciate you bringing that up. That’s good to hear. I’m actually holding out until I become famous and then am claimed as a UU. :lol:

]]> By: Jeff W. http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11221 Jeff W. Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:37:13 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11221 Ms. Theologian, I hope you've also noted how many UUs proclaimed an understanding of UUism that would certainly include you. In fact, strict congregationalists are clearly in the minority. Ms. Theologian, I hope you’ve also noted how many UUs proclaimed an understanding of UUism that would certainly include you. In fact, strict congregationalists are clearly in the minority.

]]> By: Ms. Theologian http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11206 Ms. Theologian Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:31:00 +0000 http://www.lookingforfaith.org/blog/2008/valuing-unitarian-universalist-communities#comment-11206 I have to say that I've found the discussion of congregationalism and membership to be disheartening and pretty offensive in a personal way. I've attended UU churches for more than 25 years and gone to seminary and if membership in a particular congregation is what makes me a UU, I guess then I'm not one. I think that this sort of exclusionary theology under the auspices of congregationalism is not terribly helpful to the greater good.:???: I have to say that I’ve found the discussion of congregationalism and membership to be disheartening and pretty offensive in a personal way. I’ve attended UU churches for more than 25 years and gone to seminary and if membership in a particular congregation is what makes me a UU, I guess then I’m not one.

I think that this sort of exclusionary theology under the auspices of congregationalism is not terribly helpful to the greater good.:???:

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