Read the full issue of this week’s newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal May 7

This week, Rev. Ruth writes:

One of the favorite parts of my ministry is working with the Coming of Age youth. Every year this beloved group of people dedicate their Sunday mornings, and some serious daydreaming/wondering time, to the big questions of faith: What is God? Is there God? What is the nature of being human? What is spiritual? What is significant about this life? What is death? What is community?

As Unitarian Universalists we hold to the principle that in order for faith to be vital and real, you have to be free to question and wonder. And in order for faith to have meaning, we have to be responsible with our search and the answers we hold true. This is not a faith in which you can believe anything you want. It’s a faith tradition in which we ask what are the truths that will grow our souls, enliven our communities, and make our world better.

This coming Saturday, May 9, at 3 p.m., 20 youth will be sharing this culmination of time, discernment and digging deep by reading their statements of faith. Although COVID-19 has made this year’s class more challenging and stressful, their statements of faith are heart opening, and truthful. A faith statement or credo is so much more than simply stating your spiritual or religious beliefs, your agreement with this or that. A credo is coming to terms with where you place your trust. What do you trust? The Latin word Credo means: to set your heart. So, instead of saying, “This I believe,” I think it’s more accurate to say: “This I believe. These are the truths to which I set my heart, the compass I will use to guide my living and loving.”

Do your heart some good and join us on Saturday at 3 p.m. Support our youth in this major threshold of sharing their credos, and give your thirsty spirit a big gulp of hope.

In faith,
Rev. Ruth