February 2016- Ministerial Resident Diana McLean's Reflections

As we begin our February theme of desire, one of the questions we'll explore together is what our hearts desire for this community. What are our hopes and dreams? Be thinking about that question and how you personally would answer it--there will be a chance for you to share your heart's desire for our church in worship on February 7th!
This monthly theme is also an opportunity for us to think about the intersection between spiritual health and human sexuality. There are many ways in which we, as Unitarian Universalists, approach this topic. Two that come immediately to mind are our advocacy for LGBTQIA rights and justice, and the Our Whole Lives (OWL) lifespan sexuality education program. (If you're not familiar with OWL, look here for information: http://www.uua.org/re/owl) In a society in which some kinds of love and desire are still marginalized (and preached against in other traditions), and in which fact-based comprehensive sexuality education is not universally available to our children, youth, and adults, I am proud that we Unitarian Universalists are working to change both of those things.
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February is also Black History Month, which provides an opportunity for us to explore both our history around racial justice, and what we are called to do in our time to bend the moral arc of the universe towards justice for all. You may have noticed that our Black Lives Matter sign is back up in the case on the outside of our church, reflecting our commitment to the important work of dismantling systemic racism, particularly against African Americans but also other people of color.

Last but not least, February brings with it Valentine's Day and our "Love Your Church, Love Your Sweetie" Auction on February 6th--a way to celebrate individual loves in your life and your love of this community, all while shopping, eating, enjoying music (see the Partnership Updates for more information on the music!) and hanging out in the great company of this congregation. Please join us for a fabulous evening together, and invite friends from outside the church! (You can even bid on the right to choose a sermon topic for me to preach on later this year. Be thinking about what you might want to choose!)

Wishing you all love and the granting of your heart's deepest desires,
Diana 

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