Meadville Lombard Theological School (ritual, attending, mission, church, experience)

[Davidium]

Earlier this month, I took another major step on my plan to reach my goal of becoming the spiritual counselor to our Soldiers, and that was a visit to the Meadville-Lombard Theological School in Chicago. This is one of the two Unitarian Universalist Seminaries. I want to tell you all a bit about how it went.

I stepped out of the cab at 57th and S. Woodlawn in Chicago... and the first thing I saw was a georgeous gothic style cathedral.... I thought to myself "How odd, a Catholic church right across the street from the seminary"... and then I saw the sign out front of the Church... It said "First Unitarian Church of Chicago"... Wow! I later got to go inside and even attend a "Vespers" service there.... It was amazing, and beautiful... the more so because this building represented a "Free faith" not a revealed religion. I thought to myself... "Some day I will speak here..."

I went in the office, met the administration, and was shown to the room I would be staying in. Nothing was planned for me that evening, but they gave me a map of the Hyde Park area and the University of Chicago, and set me loose to explore...

I also spent the evening chatting with the students in the dorm I was in. Great people! Dedicated to Free-thought and free-religion. I was worried that they would be wary of my goal of becoming an Army Chaplain, but quite the contrary! They all thought it was wonderful, and several offered to help me any way they could.

The next morning, I sat in on a class on "UU History" and then had my interview... the real reason for the visit. It was with students and faculty members. It began with some questions about my past, and about my work as a UU Church Administrator, but turned into a conversation about my goals, my vision, and my drive. I thought it went well, and in the end we were looking for a way to make my attending Meadville a reality.

Throughout this whole visit, when I was able to find a few minutes to break away, I spent them wandering through the most incredible liberal-religious library I could have conceived of... 7 stories of stacks..... almost all books that I want to read. I scanned every stack, on every floor, and think I could lock myself in there for 3 years.

In the early evening, I attended a "Vespers" ceremony, in the gothic cathedral across the street. It is student lead, with the sermon given by a 3rd or 4th year student. A young lady named Laura gave a moving service of how she has reluctantly come to realize that, though war is horrific and it would be best if humanity could grow beyond it, we have not done so yet, and so a military is necessary... and sometimes so is war.

They swore to me they did not plan the service because I was coming.

Afterwards, there was a social gathering, where I was priveleged to speak with other faculty members and students, and I learned much from them! They are all amazing.

The next morning I attended one more class before flying out... this one was on "Liturgy" and it was taught by one of the most renowned Unitarian Universalist Theologians, Thandeka. The class was wonderful, and her teaching style Socratic... I was amazed, and saddened, because this is her last semester. She will be back to do guest lectures and intensive courses... but I trust Meadville will bring in another wonderful Theologian...

After that class, I had to rush to turn in my room key so I could make my flight home, when the Director of Admissions (Rev. Nan Hobart) told me that "Just so you know, you have been accepted to Meadville Lombard! Congrats!"

As I walked out, I ran into a student who grew up near where I did (her name is Allison)... I had to have someone to tell, and I told her... She gave me a great big hug! The students there are so welcoming and wonderful. What else should I have expected though from a group of future UU Ministers!

Now, things are happening in a blur. With the acceptance letter, I can finish my Aspirant Status in the UUA, I am working to get a Scholarship to Attend the UU General Assembly this year, I am trying to attend a conference in Maine in early July. And, I am now in serious conversation with the U.S. Army about just what we have to make happen so I can put on the uniform of a 2nd Lieutenant and a Chaplaincy Candidate.

I thought that someone out there may be considering a UU seminary some day... and knowing how such a visit went for one person might help you in making your own decision!

YoUUrs in Faith and Reason,

David Pyle

www.uugalveston.org

[lilithu]

Namaste David!

Thanks for sharing that wonderful story and congratulations!!


I too think that you're aspiration to be an army chaplain is a good one. Altho we liberals normally consider war as a very last resort, it is still occasionally necessary. We cannot blame the soldiers for the thing that we don't like. And regardless, if anyone needs a chaplain it's them. How nice to have one that can present a different perspective!

Oh! I am so envious that you got to look thru the library there and that you got to meet Thandeka! I'm not sure which one I'm more envious of... probably the library, since I'm such a nerd. Did you see anything on the Congregation of Abraxas? Do you think that you could get access to these materials? (One of my many unrealistic aspirations is to become a UU monk.)

Sounds like you had a great experience. Would like to hear more about your plans at GA.

-lilith

[Davidium]

Lillith,

Once I am in residence there, I will have unrestricted access to the library. I am sure there is some Abraxas info there, but I wasnt looking for it... in that library was sensory overload...

I was recently at a reception for Rev. Sinkford in Houston, and I was speaking with him about my goal to become an Army Chaplain. A woman I knew (but not well) overheard my discussion with him, and she came up to me afterward and asked me "how a UU could even consider serving in the military?" She was not trying to be offensive or defensive, just genuinely perplexed...

I asked her a question... "If the military does not show UU ideals, who's fault is that? In the whole U.S. Military, there are only 3 UU Chaplains... That is not a holding action, it is abandoning the field. There are some great UU missions for our military, Bosnia was one... and if anyone needs ministering to right now, it is our Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen... So I ask you another question, how can a young, veteran UU who is capable not serve as a Chaplain?"

She told me she would think about it....

That is all I can ask...

I am yours to quiz at GA....

YoUUrs in Faith and Reason,

David

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Davidium

my goal to become an Army Chaplain.

God bless you! My prayers are with you..... I had a great relationship with several of my Army Chaplains.... one was actually on my landing craft as we stormed Renancer prison during the invasion of Panama .

Keep us up to date with your progress!

Scott

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Davidium

A woman I knew (but not well) overheard my discussion with him, and she came up to me afterward and asked me "how a UU could even consider serving in the military?" She was not trying to be offensive or defensive, just genuinely perplexed...

I asked her a question... "If the military does not show UU ideals, who's fault is that? In the whole U.S. Military, there are only 3 UU Chaplains... That is not a holding action, it is abandoning the field. There are some great UU missions for our military, Bosnia was one... and if anyone needs ministering to right now, it is our Soldiers, Sailors, and Airmen... So I ask you another question, how can a young, veteran UU who is capable not serve as a Chaplain?"

How not indeed! Liberal religion needs more people like you. Heck, liberalism needs more people like you.

[ayani]

what in incredible story! ah, you must feel so good knowing you got in! keep us posted on how your journey goes, ok?

and the UU Church in Chicago sounds beautiful....

[Davidium]

Thank you all...

YoUUrs in Faith,

David

[Davidium]

So I ask you another question, how can a young, veteran UU who is capable not serve as a Chaplain?"

I realized when I re-read this in writing, not as I said it, that it might have been mis-understood. By Veteran I meant someone who had served in the military in the past, (as I had) not someone who was a "veteran at being a UU"....

Many UU's are not tempermentally suited for military service... part of the culture of UUism... and not a bad thing at all. UU's generally dont take orders well . In fact, I serve as a UU Church Administrator, and I know the most common complaint from my fellow Galveston UU's is that I tend to run the place as if I were still "Sergeant Pyle"...

"Get your committee Reports in to me on time... or there will be hell to pay!!!!!"

Ok, I'm over-exagerating... but my military tendencies do have to be controlled from time to time in a UU environment... When I was "dress right dressing" the chairs in the sanctuary hall one evening, our congregational president told me to calm down and have a glass of wine... it was ok if the chairs were a little crooked.

My point was that, for those of us who hold UU religious and social beliefs, but who are able to deal with military life and are young enough to do so... there is a calling for us and a need. In fact, it warmed my heart the other day when I received an email from a member of the staff at Meadville that they had been contacted by a young Marine UU who was leaving active duty, and desired to attend Meadville with the eventual goal of becoming a U.S. Marine Corps UU Chaplain. They passed along my contact information to him, and I hope we can get in contact and "pool our efforts" and form our own "UU Support group" .....

And for those interested in the idea of Unitarian Universalism and Military Ministries... please visit www.uumm.org , a site run by UU Chaplain Candidate and Navy Lieutenant Eric Johnson....

YoUUrs in Faith and Reason,

David Pyle

Galveson Island, TX

[Bright-ness' Shadow]

Many UU's are not tempermentally suited for military service... part of the culture of UUism... and not a bad thing at all. UU's generally dont take orders well . In fact, I serve as a UU Church Administrator, and I know the most common complaint from my fellow Galveston UU's is that I tend to run the place as if I were still "Sergeant Pyle"...

Hehehe From my experience, military chaplains are the least military military (at least in the Air Force)

I wish you well!!!