Holy week approaches-- I'm feeling UUer (tradition, beliefs, America, doctrine)

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by des

I really love this one!!!

Yeah, me too, which is why I put that link at the top. I actually have a replica of that window as a lapel pin.

If anyone else has pics or links to pics of UU stained glass windows, pleast post them! I think I'm starting a collection. (Hmm...perhaps I should start a new thread for this?)

Originally Posted by des

I'm sorry that I get harrassed in here by some Christian for not being enough of one. Actually maybe not one, depending. It is nice to have a safe place to share your feelings and ideas. I feel pretty sure that this is against the rules, but when I went to post a complaint I didnt' actually think it fit the qualifications for a complaint.

The DIRs are off-limits for proselytzing so it fits for a complaint. It's possible that the person didn't notice that this thread was in a DIR forum. I've done that myself. But my understanding is that the person won't necessarily get in trouble just because you report the post. Still, I understand your reluctance.

Try to not let that sanctimonious silliness bother you. Very glad to have you with us des.

[Green Gaia]

Originally Posted by lilithu

I think des is saying that as Holy Week apporaches, the UCC get more and more (trinitarian) Christian.

Poor des, hang in there, lol.

Ah I see! The Christian tradition I grew up didn't recognize Holy Week. Easter was remembered, but that was about it. I've learned more about it being a UU than I did in the Christian demonination of my childhood!

Last year we did a A UU service of Tenebrae I don't know if there are plans to do the same this year, I haven't heard.

[lilithu]

Originally Posted by Green Gaia

Ah I see! The Christian tradition I grew up didn't recognize Holy Week. Easter was remembered, but that was about it. I've learned more about it being a UU than I did in the Christian demonination of my childhood!

I must confess that even tho I reject the entire notion of substitutionary atonement I love holy week. To me it's an amazing story of existential choice. Jesus knows that by continuing to teach what he's teaching he's inevitably going to run afoul of the authorities and possibly cost him his life. (By his time there was already a long history of the Roman authorities crucifying rabblerousers.) But he continues anyway, because he believes in social justice and God's love for ALL. Tensions mount, culminating in Good Friday and the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus is alone and afraid. Clearly human. Not the omniscient God incarnate that we see in much of the gospel of John. Clearly human, talking to a God with whom he feels so intimate that he calls him Abba (father), asking if he can be excused from what his conscience calls him to do. And then... resolving to go thru with it to the end, whatever may come.

Every year (actually, more often that that) I think of this story and wonder, if push comes to shove, whether I would have the strength to stand up for what's right even when my life is in danger. Even when I'm afraid of being ostracized, alone, hurt... Can I be like this divine human? That's what the passion story means to me.

Originally Posted by Green Gaia

Last year we did a A UU service of Tenebrae I don't know if there are plans to do the same this year, I haven't heard.

We do a Tenebrae service every Good friday, complete with communion! lol.

My guess is that our Tenebrae service is more Christian than yours. No substitutionary atonement, mind you, but definately focused on Jesus, and the descent into darkness and mourning for his loss. In preparation for the joy of Easter Sunday when light triumphs over darkness, good over evil, justice over oppression.

[des]

I see the proselitizing post and my immediate response was deleted so i guess it was noticed for what it was. It just irritated me and I was not hurt.
I actually thought it was a little funny that he completely missed the point-- thought I was heading to UU for a dose of Christianity. LOL!

I guess my response to holy week has been more extreme this year than previously. I feel I have to say (or not say) quite a bit more stuff than usual. In the past, I don't know what happened, we had programs that were interesting. A couple years ago, we teamed up wtih Disciples of Christ (described btw as less trinitarian) and another congregation and did a no. of special services including a Taize, which was quite neat. Also we had some educational services. At another church we had an issue which we studied thru the week. One year it was WW2, which was memorable. By accident, I attended a Maundry Thursday service which is just about as heavy as it can be. But funny thing. At the same time, the church had a gay square dancing club. So here we are with the solemn music and themes and then you hear the "Swing your partner round and round!" and Promenade! It just cracked me up, and I kept finding myself laughing about it for weeks.

I think if it were examined certain ways then it might be different. The pastor himself, though gay, came from a Lutheran church (ELCA). They told him he could only preach if he were celebate ("that's no fun" was his comment to me). Anyway you can take the guy out of the Lutherans but you can't take the Lutherans out of the guy. So his take is much more typically Christian and so on. Even though he has loosened up and gives sermons now that you would never hear at a Lutheran church, this is the time of year when his more conservative past catches up with him. I think he believes Jesus is God. This doesn't really get played out too much ordinarily as it is more what Jesus does that gets the emphasis, except now. I like the music. Actually might go to the Easter service, I'm not sure.


BTW, I have been thinking of doing two weeks at the UU and two weeks at the UCC. I might try something like that. Of course, I don't go quite every week.


--des

[des]

This isn't UU and it isnt' stained glass but I thought you might like this. This is my UCC church and the banners we have by the altar-- also the Christmas pagent which has some quite neat art work (a very pregnant Mary) and really happy kids.

http://www.swcp.com/~fcc/special.htm

--des

[uumckk16]

Originally Posted by des

This isn't UU and it isnt' stained glass but I thought you might like this. This is my UCC church and the banners we have by the altar-- also the Christmas pagent which has some quite neat art work (a very pregnant Mary) and really happy kids.

http://www.swcp.com/~fcc/special.htm

--des

Cute! I love the sheep, hehe

[des]

Originally Posted by uumckk16

Cute! I love the sheep, hehe

Me too! I didn't realize til seeing the pictures that it's a "push me pull you". ;-)

--des

[des]

In fairness, it isn't all substutional atonement. I think the pastor might have a riot on his hands what with all the highly educated and opinionated types (and I am not even counting myself!). For instance, last year one of the sermons was on the money changers in the temple (gosh the way it has been trivilized in another thread and area).

I guess my tolerance of this holy week sort of thing is at a way all time low. And ever reciting (or being presented with reciting) something I dont' believe.

--des

Originally Posted by lilithu

We do a Tenebrae service every Good friday, complete with communion! lol.

My guess is that our Tenebrae service is more Christian than yours. No substitutionary atonement, mind you, but definately focused on Jesus, and the descent into darkness and mourning for his loss. In preparation for the joy of Easter Sunday when light triumphs over darkness, good over evil, justice over oppression.

[lilithu]

Des, I keep meaning to ask: So did you survive Holy week alright?