April 19, 2011

My Journey to Unitarian Universalism

By Reverend Nan White

"We believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every person."  Those were the first words spoken to me describing Unitarian Universalism.  I had been teaching yoga at the YMCA where I was practicing massage therapy.  One day after class a woman asked if I would consider helping a group of people start a Unitarian Universalist congregation.  Having left the Presbyterian denomination four years earlier I was deeply moved by this persons answer to my question of "What do Unitarian Universalists believe?"  My own worth and dignity had been questioned as a Presbyterian and now someone was telling me there is a place for me to live with integrity and possibly to do ministry too.  I was intrigued with this offer and began to research Unitarian Universalism.

As I explored the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) website I was drawn to the Seven Principles that begin with belief in the "inherent worth and dignity of every person" and conclude with "respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part."

I was raised, educated and ordained as a Presbyterian but my progressive life style and theological questioning began making it very difficult for me to live with integrity.  My perspective was that the Presbyterian Church had moved further to the right by taking a stand in their governance that if you live a homosexual lifestyle you may not serve in an ordained capacity as a minister or an elder.  After much grieving and soul searching I came to the conclusion that I could no longer serve as a minister to the Presbyterian Church (USA).

When learning about the Unitarian Universalism I realized that my questioning and struggling theologically was encouraged and the Unitarian Universalists affirm and promote my search for truth and meaning.  for the first time in many years I began to feel like there is a ministry I can do for a people who will accept me for who I am.

Theologically I was raised a Christian.  At one time in my life I became a Southern Baptist and was baptized for a second time, having been christened in the Presbyterian Church.  While I understand myself to be a cultural Christian, meaning I grew up celebrating the Christian holidays with family and friends.  Today my theology continues to evolve.  I'm unwilling to hang my hat on one theology because I find that the sources I draw from to sustain me and guide me come from a variety of Places.  As a Unitarian Universalist there are  many sources from which we draw our faith tradition and that variety is what keeps my theology changing and I'm okay with that.  I also believe it helps me to be a better minister as I am open to learning more about whatever spiritual and religious leanings anyone may hold true.

In 1999, I contacted the national association about transferring my ordination.  At the same time the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Statesboro, Georgia invited me to be their once-a-month minister for a year.  I then decided to base my sermons on the Seven Principles which led me to a deeper understanding of Unitarian Universalism.  The more I read and studied, the more it made sense to me and resonated with my theology and who I was as a human being.  As many people have said who come to Unitarian Universalism from another faith tradition "I feel like I've found my home."

In 2001 the Unitarian Fellowship of Hilton Head (founded in 1977), now the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Lowcountry, called me to be their consultant minister on a part-time basis.  My serving this congregation provided for me a place to practice my new found ministry.

In 2002 the UU Fellowship of Beaufort asked if I would work for them ten hours a week to provide pastoral care and preach once a month.  This opportunity gave me a way to learn even more about Unitarian Universalism and congregational life.

Once I made the commitment to change denominations I immersed myself in study and preparation to meet the requirements.  The process of becoming a Unitarian Universalist minister is based on competency in 16 areas from theology, church history, church policy, social justice and religious education to professional development.  I was asked to demonstrate my ability to articulate my spiritual and religious growth in written and oral presentations drawn from seminary, college courses, and life experiences over my half century of church work in the Presbyterian Church.

It's been a thought-provoking experience to reflect on how important the Presbyterian Church has been to me over the years: how I was raised as a small child, in high school, in summer camp and going to seminary, and walking through my ordination.  A Presbyterian minister shapes worship services by lectionaries, passages of scripture that rotate every three years.  In contrast Unitarian Universalist ministers have what is known as a free pulpit and are able to draw from many sources, described as the "Living Tradition."

In October 2005 I began half-time ministry with the Beaufort Fellowship.  At the same time the executive director of Penn Center invited our congregation to hold our office in their administration building, bringing our historic relationship full circle.  Laura M. Towne, a founder of Penn School in 1862, was a Unitarian.  I moved into our new office at the Lathers building on the Penn Center campus and continue to develop an enriching partnership to address human rights, civil rights and social justice issues with this internationally renowned institution.

In April of 2007 I was installed as the settled minister of the Beaufort congregation and the service was held on the campus of Penn.  Every year since we've held a service at Penn to celebrate Unitarian Laura Towne's birthday (May 3rd).  These celebrations continue to deepen the connection between our congregation and Penn Center.

As Unitarians we affirm and promote the Seventh Principle of being an interdependent web. As part of that web—related to each other and all nature and the whole universe—we have a responsibility to come together as a community and begin to create a beloved community for social justice.

In our affluent society, especially in Beaufort County, it’s easy to forget that many of our neighbors in this county and in this state and in this nation are hungry, living in poverty and under many kinds of oppression. We must step out as a community and speak for those who can’t speak for themselves. For the many who share these beliefs and want to affirm and promote them in their lifestyles as individuals, Unitarian Universalism is a compelling religion.