UUFSMA: Reflecting the Light

Sunday, April 28, 10:30am 

Reflecting the Light

Rev. Arvid Straube

At this Sunday’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Service, the Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube asks how we can find hope in these dark times.

When watching or reading the news it is easy to despair. Human history has had dark times before. But in these times of darkness, there are things that we can do to reflect the light of wisdom, compassion, and justice to make a difference, individually and in community.

With varying degrees of accuracy, the news mostly tells us the bad things that are happening. The late Rev. Dr. Forrester Church warned us against the sin of sophisticated resignation when there are always reasons to avoid engagement. But as the Dalai Lama said, “I believe the 21st Century can become the most important century of human history. I think a new reality is emerging. Whether this view is realistic or not, there is no harm in making an effort.”

The songwriter and social activist Carolyn McDade said, “Hope is something we make with our hands.” Some of the most hopeful people are those who have a long history of working for peace and justice. They have had success and failures, learned many lessons, and failed forward by using what they have learned in defeat for the next struggle. Thus they have managed to resist despair and cynicism.

We cannot do it alone, but together we can all reflect the light of hope, justice and peace. Rather than adding to the voices of ill will and outrage, we can speak peace. We can be peace.

Rev. Dr. Straube served Unitarian Universalist congregations for 35 years in Washington State, North Carolina, and most recently as Lead Minister of the First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. He earned an M.A. in Divinity from the University of Chicago and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School. In 2013, he was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Meadville, where he is now an Affiliate Faculty member. He currently has a ministry of spiritual direction and meditation coaching.

Dr. Straube has been practicing and teaching Buddhist meditation in the Vipassana tradition since 1975. Through his spiritual direction training at Shalem Institute he also has grounding in the contemplative Christian tradition. His scholarly interests include the mystical and contemplative traditions of humanity and Buddhist and biblical studies. His ministry passion has always been to help people grow into most authentic humanity. Dr. Straube lives near San Diego with his wife, Sonya Prestridge.

For more information about the UUFSMA, including our Children’s Religious Education program, Social Action outreach, weekly discussion groups, social activities, and Care Team, join us any Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the Hotel La Aldea or check out our website at uufsma.org.

Our fellowship was born in 1987 when a small group of expatriate religious liberals came together to meet as Unitarian Universalists in San Miguel de Allende. The fellowship has been active and thriving ever since. Every UU church has it’s own flavor, and we are no exception. We are a combination of expats and visitors, each actively engaged and contributing to this wonderful Mexican community we love. Because there is a coming, going, and returning aspect, our spiritual community is extremely fluid.  There is a magic in San Miguel which draws us in and binds us together—both as members of the church and of the larger community. Our programming is led by visiting ministers, community leaders, and church members, so the variety is lively. We have opportunities to meet as UU’s each week at discussion groups, breakfasts, luncheons, and in various other ways. Depending on the season, attendance fluctuates between 40 and 140. Our primary focus is on funding social action within the surrounding community. We love good music, good discussion, good food, and having visitors. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning.

Members regularly post updates and information on this site. We also post meeting minutes and announcements there.

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https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/UUFSMA/info

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