This month’s theme is “Transformation”. Here is the Article II definition:
Transformation. We adapt to the changing world. We covenant to collectively transform and grow spiritually and ethically.
What are some of the ways that we are collectively transforming and growing spiritually and ethically? Here’s an example from Faith in Action:
I’ll hear sometimes that folks are talking about how our Faith in Action work at OUUC “doesn’t look like it used to”. There is some grief and sorrow in that statement, I know. Some folks look back at the work we did with Camp Quixote, with Out of The Woods, and for homelessness in general, a decade+ ago and compare what we are doing now unfavorably. I also hear “we aren’t making headlines in the Olympian anymore”, and some grief over that too.
And of course, our Faith in Action work has changed and transformed over these years, and it is natural for there to be some loss and grief involved in all change. One change I’ll highlight is something that is larger than OUUC and is a regional change: when OUUC sheltered Camp Quixote that first time, it wasn’t just about sheltering those individuals - it was also about protesting the city’s approach to homelessness in general. And part of the story of Camp Quixote is that it led to new approaches and new institutions in our region, and today not only are the Quixote Villages and other tiny house villages a legacy of this, but also the work of Interfaith Works for shelters and homeless services. The focus has shifted, the work won’t make headlines anymore, but there is still much to do by supporting this ongoing work. And OUUC continues to support both Quixote and Interfaith Works, with benevolences to them a line item in our annual budget and with fundraisers focused on supporting them (Interfaith Works was a recipient of our Book Sale this year) and with the volunteer efforts of our shelter meals crew. It’s different than it used to be, and this work remains important to us.
Another change at OUUC is also part of a larger story. In the last decade Unitarian Universalism has heard a series of calls to greater examinations of justice and equity within our own structures and systems as well as without. In addition to a powerful call to reckon with white supremacy culture, there have also been learnings around ableism, accessibility, trans-inclusion, and classism. This is justice work that is done in our own congregations, as we learn and work to transform ourselves. It reminds me of a conversation I had with a congregant when we still had our old mission statement, the one that said “and transform lives” in it. This congregant told me that they were always uncomfortable about that line in the mission statement, because it felt paternalistic/evangelistic. I replied that I rather thought the lives we were transforming were our own, and the response was a quick “oh my gosh, I’ve been seeing it all wrong!”. The work of bringing about transformation toward justice in the world also requires that we work to transform ourselves.
And there is a third change that I want to highlight today as well, and that is that we have begun to wrestle with a deeper understanding of the difference between charity and justice. For more on this, you might want to refer back to this recent worship service. This conversation often cites the story of the Babies in the River (also in that worship service) and we talk about whether we are pulling babies out of the river or going upstream to stop the babies going in in the first place. I think one of the big reasons why this continues to resonate is that there aren’t easy answers here: babies still need to get rescued at the same time that upstream solutions are sought. So we have to split our focus a bit, and some of us keep working on direct actions of service and charity/mitigating damage, while others of us focus on upstream solutions and preventing damage. This means the whole congregation isn’t working on the same project, but we are all instead finding our lane, our gift to give to the effort. Is your love language food? Shelter meals! Is your love language policy? Advocacy! And more options, of course.
These are just three factors, but I think they are important parts of our transformation around Faith in Action: there are other ways to support homelessness work now, we are aware of our need for internal work more, and we are also focused on a balance between service, charity, and justice. Faith in Action doesn’t look like it used to. Neither does the world. Neither do we.
If this brings up questions or gives you ideas or you just want to talk about it all, you can talk to either Rev Mary or me, or send your feedback or questions to the Faith in Action Leadership Team. And of course, we welcome you getting engaged with some aspect of Faith in Action! See the attached flyer with the many ways to do that. So please feel free to reach out.
May we continue to do the work of faithful actions, together.
