From Our Minister
January 2009 UU News

I recently participated in the installation of the Reverend Tom Capo as minister of Peoples Church in Cedar Rapids. This was my charge to the congregation; it is also my New Year’s wish for UUSIC and all our congregations.

Early in my ministry, a newer member of my congregation pulled me aside to ask, “What do you do to be a good Unitarian Universalist? I know what you do to be a good Catholic, you go to Mass, you make confession and say your Hail Mary’s and Our Father’s, you take Communion—but what do you do to be a good UU?”

I had to think about it. “Just come to church and be a good person and I’ll get back to you.”

I wrestled it into words, and what I came up with, while perhaps not the five pillars, are at least five guidelines.

• To be a good UU, attend church regularly. This is how relationships are deepened and the religious community is strengthened.

• Be involved in the life of the church in some way other than Sunday services. Serve on a committee, work on an event, cook a meal; do something—because the work of the church is the work you do. I remember once when I called a parishioner who was in the hospital and I heard him explain to an attendant or someone that he was talking to his minister. I heard the person reply, “your minister? That’s good. But you better be doing something at the church – don’t you just be warmin’ a pew!” He assured her, honestly, that he was doing more at the church than just warmin’ a pew.

• Attend to your own spiritual development. This is what distinguishes a church from a social club or a debating society or a political action group. We pay attention, we develop our appreciation of beauty, our depth of connection, our wisdom, courage, and sense of wonder.

• Make a personally meaningful monetary contribution to support the work of the church. Make the church a financial priority in your life.

• And finally, If you’ve found something of value here, let other people know about it. Not to proselytize, not to tell them that they’re in the wrong religion, but to evangelize – to share our good news with those who are seeking a spiritual home. Are we tired of being the best kept secret in American religion? Hide it under a bushel? No! We’re gonna let it shine!

To what purpose—to what great end do we aspire and strive to be good UUs?

Because good UUs are in touch with their creativity, their love of life, their passion for justice. They are people who accept the responsibility to live in service to the beautiful, the good, and the true.

It makes us better people. It makes the church a vibrant and exciting place to be. And it can change the world.

Howard Thurman once said, “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

You are taking an important step today in installing your new minister. The charge to the congregation usually covers such nuts and bolts issues as respecting his individuality, protecting his time for growth and self-renewal, not saying anything behind his back that you wouldn’t say to his face, and that is all good advice. Please do all of that.

But my main advice, my charge to you, is to be good UUs. Take your faith seriously. Live out your values. Come alive! Because Tom will be doing that. And by doing this together you will honor your history, you will fulfill your promise, and you will have a long and fruitful and meaningful ministry together. May it be so. AMEN.

Yours in faith,
Benjamin