My family attended a Presbyterian church when I grew up, and when I was 13 I went through “confirmation class”. We learned the names of all the books in the Bible, in order and, more importantly, the tenets of the faith, i.e. what we Presbyterians believe about God, Jesus, the afterlife, etc. It wasn’t totally dogmatic. When our minister, Rev. Soule (of course) got to the part about predestination (God knows when you are born if you are going to heaven or hell), he was apologetic. “I don’t believe this—but I have to teach it to you,” he said. As I grew older, my acceptance of the theology didn’t survive my education, so I spent the following years unchurched, but vaguely missing the regular encouragement to “go deeper”, whatever that might mean. I tried some things, but nothing felt right.
In my mid 40’s a coworker who knew me well suggested that I try a Unitarian congregation, and when I did I immediately knew that this was what I wanted and needed. I could explore what was most important to me without being expected to stand up every Sunday and say a creed that I had long stopped believing. That was 27 years ago, and I am quite happy each Sunday to stand up at UUCP and say our covenant, because it is how we promise to be together. It isn’t about beliefs, it is about behavior.
One thing I really appreciate about our UU approach to raising our children is that we don’t tell them what they should believe. We guide them as they grow and explore, and we challenge them to consider tough questions and situations. The point is not to tell them what they should believe, but help them practice thinking through such questions and so develop their individual moral sense. That is the learning that is really important.
At 73 I still have questions and still need practice, so I am at UUCP almost every Sunday. This is where I belong.
~ Gary Ezzell
Editor’s Note:
Our regularly scheduled column, Notes From Your Dance Partner, will be on pause during Reverend Christine’s sabbatical. In its place, we’re excited to have a series of guest speakers who will be sharing their experiences at UUCP. NFYDP will return in August.