Each day that I spent at the Unitarian Universalist General Assembly, I went to bed in my hotel room thinking that the next day would be a dissappointment. The day I had just lived had been so amazing and inspiring that I could not see how the next day could live up to that standard.... And then it did. Each day was more amazing than the first.
On the first day, events conspired to have me participate in the "Banner Parade"... in other words, to carry the banner of the UU Fellowship of Galveston County in the opening ceremonies. As we were lining up, I wanted to get out of the way, so I found a place in the corner of the entry hall near some doors. Little did I know that happened to be the doors we would enter the arena through. I was 4th in line of over 1000 banner cariers, and the only people before me were the churches from the Ft. Worth area, where the conference was being held. To be up front like that was kinda a metaphor for the rest of the conference.
Seeing over 1000 church banners proceed through the hall was inspiring, and give one a sense of the size of our free-faith. Not as large as others, but large enough to feel you are part of something that can affect change in our world.
The Sermons of the week were incredible, inspiring, and passionate. In one, the new ministers were called to ignite, catch fire, and take up the mantle of our free faith not as a status quo, but to change the world.... or dont become a minister at all. I saw friends cross the stage and receive ministerial fellowship, and thought, "someday I will join them".
My contacts with students and faculty of Meadville Lombard Theological School, and my participation in helping to run their booth was great... I know I have made some great friends.
I went to GA knowing of only one other person working towards U.S. Military Chaplaincy for the UUA, and left knowing six others, all of us realizing we are going to be life-long friends, a support group, and collegues. One of our current UU Chaplains took us under her wings, and kinda had a look in her eyes like she was glad to see reinforcements on the way.
Beyond that, something incredible happend at this GA... One of the UUA leaders whom I spoke with told me that in all his years being a UU, and being UU Leadership Staff, he had never seen what happened at this GA, and he was in awe.
You see, us Military Chaplaincy Candidates, UU Military members, UU Military Chaplains, UU Defense Employees, and UU Military Families came together in a workshop, told our stories about what it is like to e a Military UU, discussed the prejudice that we face within the denomination, and laid down a gauntlet for the UUA to live up to its welcoming beliefs and welcome and support UU's associated with the Military.
One UU Marine told how he was at a conference and it became known he was a Marine. He felt ostracisied, and even had people directly question his faith. He was hurt, angry, and considering leaving our faith when an older gentelman came over to him and said he was sorry. This gentleman told the marine "I'm Gay, and I have always felt welcome as a UU... I find it horrible that you had to come out as a Marine."
I have gotten similar questions over my chosen path and my Military past. I believe there is a UU Military Mission... peacekeeping and intervention to stop genocide. I beleive that we as UU's have abandoned the military, so no wonder it is becoming more and more conservative. The Military needs us, and we need to answer the call. There are families in need, Soldiers who need support, and those who need the healing nature of a free faith. Without it, we are not as welcoming as a denomination as we claim to be.
What came out of that workshop shook the GA, or at least the UUA leadership. I dont think they really realized how Military UU's were being treated. It has become a mission of the leadership to change that culture.
Meadville-Lombard has said they would support the two incoming studnets on path to Military Chaplaincy to develop a program designed to teach UU Churches how to welcome and take care of military members and families. I think we will do it.
During all of this, I had my interview with the Ministerial Creditialing Director of the UUA for my Military Chaplaincy Candidates Endorsement. It was great, and he went beyond the endosement for me, they are going to look at the process of becoming a minister in the UUA to see how it can be "tweaked" to better support Military Chaplains. I am going to help with that, to help those who come after me.
The military just upped its Chaplain recruiting goals for the year from 125 to 500 as well.
I could go on about the Sermons, the workshops, and the atmosphere... but it was incredible. Some of it I can share with you... because for the first time the UUA recorded the major events of GA and put them on the web for people to watch.... I highly recommend the Sunday Morning Service and the Service of the Living Tradition (at least the sermon part of it)... Opening Ceremonies are great as well.
Go here to see the coverage
http://www.uua.org/ga/ga05/
and
www.uua.org
In fact, if you watch "Banner parade slideshow 1" a picture of me holiding the UUFGC Banner is number 26, I think. It is a Red and Gold banner.
I am on Fire... not just for my Religion (UU) but also for my Theology (Deism). I have alot of catching up to do over the next week, so I ask your indulgence. If anyone is interested how Deism and UU can go together, feel free to email or PM me.... I can talk from my experience
But, on top of all of this, the best thing that occured was the friends, probably life-long friends that I made. My fellow Chaplain Candidate at Meadville Lombard and I will have each others backs for years. A young man with an incredible life story (and denominational connections) was inspiring to me in his story, and in sharing a love for Soldiers that inspires him to persue Chaplaincy. A woman who has gone through much to follow her call to Military Chaplaincy, and not lost her call was amazing. And a wonderful young lady, who has a wonderful soul, received ministerial Fellowship at this GA. But beyond that, I believe I felt her find her Ministerial Calling in the stories and needs of the Military UU's. To see the eyes light up with a calling, to see someone realize that this is what they are meant to do was amazing, and re-affirmed my own call. That, and she is an inspiring woman with a Theology I think the UUA needs more of. And, like all of the others I met, she's just cool! (And married, dont get any ideas you all).
I also met a friend I already had from here at Religious Forums. Lilithu, you are great! Rev. Dr. John Tolley asked me after your conversation with him how I knew you, and told me to encourage you to consider eventual ministry, and attending Meadville-Lombard. He was as impressed with you as I was. You have a kind heart and soul that shows through your eyes as well as your posts.
I could write longer, but this is where I am. I am exhausted. It feels like I lived three weeks in 5 days. In a few days I may be rested enough to translate this into action. I also have some great work to do for my Fellowship, and helping coordinate the ideas of the other 11 members of our fellowship who went to GA. I think this will energize our leadership, and maybe inspire a few others to persue the formal path to ministry.
YoUUrs in Faith,
David Pyle
Just recently returned to Galveston Island, Texas.... from the Mecca of Unitarian Universalism.