Torch Column: In the Life

03 January 2017

(scroll down for "More from Matthew" including: Info Session jan. 8th, MLK Workshop and March, and High School Owl Parent Orientations)

In the Life . . . (Rev. Matthew Cockrum)

We're all in this together. You know that, right? It's one of the reasons many of us come to church...and keep coming. It's one of the powerful reminders of our seventh principle, one often quoted and remembered: “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.”

One of the ways this has been true during my time with you has been through a Support Team comprised of Christine Ashworth, Philip Moos and John Rasmuson. These three folks have met with me monthly during my time with you at First Church to serve as a sounding board, think tank, and interpreter of your congregation’s life, history and culture. The next time you see any of these folks please offer them thanks for their service!

One of the reasons I'm sharing this with you now is because you will be hearing from this team in the coming month as they help me plan and implement a February event. This event will be a critical part of continuing to plan for the ministries of Congregational Life following my departure. Rest assured, your church staff is also in the planning mode for this and we intend to have several components in place and ready to report on by late February. Stay tuned for more!

Finally, below are a few other tidbits for your consideration. First, an excerpt from the letter from Unitarian Universalist Association President, the Reverend Peter Morales, which I shared as a reading during our January 1 worship service. Second, an update on local events in honor of Martin Luther King, and how you and your youth can participate.

Again, we're all in this together, Friends, the work of building and being Beloved Community.

Here's to The Work!
Peace, Faith & Passion,

Matthew

More from Matthew


Following is an excerpt from a letter sent to Unitarian Universalist ministers in the wake of the recent US presidential election. Though this was addressed to clergy it deserves a wider audience. May it encourage you.

A message of support in these troubling times
UUA President Peter Morales

Dear Colleagues, 

These are tough times. We are living in the midst of historic cultural turmoil. Long festering resentments are being unleashed, posing immediate threats to the most marginalized in our society and presenting long term danger to our natural environment.

People are understandably anxious…

...I believe we are entering dangerous times. I expect that the new administration will unleash human rights abuses aimed at migrants and Muslims shortly after it takes office. In the longer term, other marginalized groups (women, the poor, people of color, transgender people, etc.) will be in danger. We are already seeing an increase in violent acts by people who see the election as validation of their hate.

Among the dangers we face is the temptation to "normalize" the situation. I pray that the incoming administration will prove to be more humane than its rhetoric and many of its most ardent supporters. I see no evidence that this is the case. None. It is irresponsible folly to act as though we are in a normal transition between administrations.

We must prepare to provide sanctuary and resist.

First, we must provide sanctuary in the broadest and richest sense of the term. We begin with offering safe places for reflection and healing for our congregants and for those coming to seek spiritual community. But these times demand more. We must provide sanctuary to those most vulnerable. In particular, migrants (primarily from Mexico and Central America) may well face mass deportation. In addition, Muslims have been targeted.

Second, we must prepare to resist human rights violations in active ways. We must make it much harder to deport, register, discriminate and despoil. 

In the past most of our work for justice and compassion has been positive. We have been advocates for marriage equality, racial justice, civil rights, immigration reform and environmental justice. To use a sports metaphor, we have played offense. We joined with others to advance an agenda. Today we must prepare to "play defense." We will have to respond quickly to acts of the government. We will have to react rather than act. We will need to be agile and fast.

As always, the key will be to work together. We have shown our ability to do this from resisting the human rights violations of Joe Arpaio in Arizona to joining the resistance at Standing Rock. We are effective when…[we]...work together at the local level, combined with support from regional and national staff. We make a difference when we form strong partnerships with other faith groups and secular organizations... 

...In the coming weeks you will hear more as we work together to support you. For now, I want each of you to know that you are not alone. Together we are strong. Together we inspire one another. Together we can do this. We need one another.

Thank you again for all you do.

Love will guide us. Hope will sustain us. Ultimately we shall prevail.

Faithfully,
Peter


Info Session January 8th


New to Unitarian Universalism or First Church? Join Rev. Matthew Cockrum in the small chapel after service for a brief information session with light snacks. Meet other newcomers, ask burning questions and become more familiar with this congregation and the living tradition from which it draws.

MLK Workshops & March: January 15 (12-5 p.m.) & 16 (1:30-4:45 p.m.)
Initially planned as a reined long overnight conference for youth, our MLK Con with a focus on racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement has been reduced in scope. High school youth (10th-12th grades) and their teachers from First Unitarian Church and South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society are invited to gather on Sunday, 1/15, for lunch at noon in room 216 followed by workshops around racial justice. The next day, MLK Day, all interested participants are invited to meet at First Church at 1:30 and then walk to East High School to participate in the Martin Luther King Day Rally and March, which begins at 2:30 p.m., concluding with a march to Kingsbury Hall. The march is almost a mile so dress accordingly! Questions, contact Rev. Matthew Cockrum at or 801.582.8687 ext. 205

High School OWL (Our Whole Lives) Sessions & Parent Orientations: Calling interested 10th-12th graders and their parents! First Church is offering a two-weekend immersion of high school OWL, a lifespan sexuality education curriculum, February 3-4 and 17-18 (overnight, 6 pm Friday to 8 pm Saturday) for $40 (sliding scale and scholarships available upon request). Parents must attend an orientation session and sign a permission slip in advance. Orientation sessions are scheduled for Sunday, January 22, 3-5 pm and Thursday, January 29, 6:30-8:30 pm. Please contact Lissa to reserve your orientation slot and confirm your intention to enroll your youth. or 801.859.6878.