Read the full issue of this week’s Liberal here: The Weekly Liberal Nov. 7

In this week’s issue, Rev. Jen Crow writes:

Last week, the Twin Cities were host to an historic event in Unitarian Universalism – the first ever Harper-Jordan Memorial Symposium convened by BLUU (Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism), Proclaiming a Black Unitarian Universalist Theology.For 4 days, Black Unitarian Universalists shared their lived experiences, beliefs, theologies, and spiritual practices. Our adjunct minister, the Rev. Karen Hutt, presented at the symposium, and First Universalist member, Lena K. Gardner, continues to lead and support BLUU in collaborative and innovative ways. 

Attending the closing worship service last Saturday healed my heart. As I entered that space, I felt clear that as a white Unitarian Universalist, my job was to sit back and listen, to sing and participate, to worship, and to no way be in charge of anything except noticing my own thoughts and feelings. This service was not in fact for me, but it healed me all the same. We were led by so many amazingly talented Black and often queer religious professionals and musicians. Those who are so often pushed to the margins took their rightful place in the center. 

The wisdom and lives of our ancestors were welcomed in, and appreciation was given – not only for those who came before us, but for the younger ones who are teaching us, too. Early on in the service, everyone was invited to move to the edges of the sanctuary – each individual out there on the edge became one small piece of the larger circle that would hold our personal and collective experience. A candle was passed around the circle, hand to hand and person to person, until the flame moved forward first to light the BLUU chalice, and then to light the chalice of Unitarian Universalism. We acknowledged the light of each individual, the light of this powerful Black-led Black-focused collective within Unitarian Universalism, and we acknowledged the light of Unitarian Universalism that holds us all. We sang to each other as the light moved, promising to hold one another in love, promising to see all of who we are.

This is the kind of Unitarian Universalism that I want to support and build and live within. This is the kind of church we are striving to create. May we live true to the words of Starhawk that we so often say in our services at First Universalist, creating a community where ” a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, and voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power.”

In faith and hope,
Rev. Jen