Embodying the Beloved Community
January 27th, 2008
The Reverend Anne Felton Hines
The Statement of Ministry that was created and adopted by this congregation several years ago begins with the words: “Believing that our ministries will flourish more abundantly within the beloved community….”
A while back, Chuck Moore began questioning just what we meant by “beloved community” – a phrase employed not only in our Statement of Ministry, but often in sermons and readings from this pulpit. Indeed, those two words can be heard or read often in our Unitarian Universalist churches throughout the country – and I expect in non-UU traditions as well.
But Unitarian Universalists didn’t originate the idea of Beloved Community, nor has it always been used in the context we usually apply it in our churches. While it might be argued that the concept was first envisioned by the prophets and psalmists of ancient Israel when they spoke of “the lion and lamb lying down together,” or of the Kingdom of God here on earth…the phrase itself was actually first used in the early 20th century by Josiah Royce, founder of the Fellowship of Reconciliation. In his book, The Problem of Christianity, he wrote: “Since the office of religion is to aim towards the creation on earth of the Beloved Community, the future task of religion is the task of inventing and applying the arts which will win all over to unity, and which shall overcome their original hatefulness by gracious love….”
Perhaps no one in the 20th century embodied this interpretation of Beloved Community more than Martin Luther King, Jr., and the civil rights movement that he inspired. It was central to his thinking, guiding him in every action – beginning with the Montgomery Bus Boycott.
The purpose of that boycott, wrote King, was “reconciliation…redemption, the creation of the Beloved Community.” He believed firmly that once people had the opportunity to meet one another, share their stories, experience real relationships, we would begin to see a community grounded in love and understanding – and that’s what would ultimately win over the opposition.
It was for this reason that he advocated not only desegregation – which changed the laws that kept the races apart, but full integration as well – requiring a change in attitude. Wrote King: Desegregation produces “a society…where elbows are together but hearts are apart; where there is social togetherness but spiritual apartness.”
King’s vision of a Beloved Community began with the challenges of racism in America, but moved on to the disparity between the rich and the poor. Believing that God intends everyone to have their physical and spiritual necessities met, King couldn’t imagine the realization of the Beloved Community without economic justice for everyone.
And finally, King’s vision of the Beloved Community was a global vision. He spoke out fervently against the Vietnam War, and I am absolutely certain that were he alive today, he would have been preaching just as loudly, from the beginning, against our wars in Iraq and even Afghanistan.
King took very seriously what he called the “solidarity of the human family,” everywhere. “…All life is interrelated,” he insisted. Speaking in the language of his time, he said that, “We are inevitably our brother’s keeper because we are our brother’s brother. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.”
For King, and those who risked their lives alongside him in the struggles for justice, the vision of a Beloved Community was far broader than the way in which we often talk about it in our Unitarian Universalist congregations, including here at Emerson.
“Believing that our ministries will flourish more abundantly within the beloved community….” That introduction to our Statement of Ministry, as I recall, was an acknowledgement that part of our ministry is to care for one another – to provide a pastoral presence in times of celebration as well as sorrow; to be a place where “we share and find strength and common purpose….”
To this end, we have a Pastoral Care Ministry Team which assists me in ministering to our members experiencing difficult life transitions; we have the Knitting Ministry, whose works you blessed a short time ago; we include in our worship services a time for people to give voice to the moments in their lives of challenge and/or gratitude; we have a support group for people providing ongoing care for loved ones; and we have our Small Group Ministries, which provide a time for a deeper sharing of our lives.
But is this all that a Beloved Community should be? Does it end with ourselves?
My friend and colleague, Rev. Tom Owen-Towle, wrote a book after retiring from his ministry at our UU church in San Diego, titled Growing a Beloved Community: Twelve Hallmarks of a Healthy Congregation. I want to share with you some of those “hallmarks” now:
Welcome all souls. Tonight we’ll be holding the first session of the “Living the Welcoming Congregation” curriculum, where we’ll explore what it means to be truly welcoming to bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender persons. And I’m very proud to be the minister of a church that has been an official “Welcoming Congregation” for so many years.
But we need to also be a “welcoming congregation” with a small “w” and “c” – in other words, welcoming to “all souls,” of all ages, races, theological and political perspectives, abilities, and needs, who seek a faith like Unitarian Universalism, and a church like Emerson.
Care for your own is another hallmark, and this would be what I think most congregation’s mean when they speak of “beloved community.” - providing comfort, support, courage in times of sorrow and fear – as well as celebrations in times of joy.
Give everyone a voice. I think we’re pretty good about this here at Emerson. We take seriously our UU Principle affirming the democratic process, encouraging participation at our congregational meetings – such as the one after today’s service. In addition, your Board of Trustees has initiated bi-monthly “Breakfasts with the Board” – the most recent held this morning before the service. These are an opportunity for you to ask questions, share concerns, and have conversations about your visions for this church. If you haven’t attended one yet, I do hope you will in the future.
And of course, I hope everyone feels comfortable talking with me – about any concerns you have.
Encourage unity amidst diversity. While we may not see that much ethnic or political diversity in our congregation, we have quite a bit of diversity in the way people approach religious questions; we are also growing in generational diversity, I am pleased to note. And we must always remain sensitive to these diversities, and to the notion that – in the words of our Unitarian forefather, Francis David – “We need not think alike to love alike.”
Balance justice and joy. It is imperative that we remember the needs of the world while enjoying the abundance of our lives; and we need to celebrate the abundance of our lives as we work to address the many needs of the world.
Spread our “Good News.” Last Sunday I threatened to place Chuck Moore on street corners because he had displayed such an evangelical spirit from the pulpit. Unfortunately he’s bigger than I am, so I can’t make him do anything! But I can encourage all of you to let people know of this faith that has enriched your lives, and that offers the world so much. Become what I’ve called “An Evangelist for Hope.”
Practice respect “Embrace conflict as inevitable, even desirable,” writes Rev. Owen-Towle and learn the fine art of compromise. He makes the point that the word “respect” literally means “to look at something or someone again.” And that can only increase understanding and compassion among us.
And finally, Know you’re not alone. As we journey towards the Beloved Community, remember that we are held by the spirit of all those who have gone before, by those present with us now, and by the Eternal Spirit of Love that embraces us all.
What Tom Owen-Towle makes clear in his book is that the Beloved Community is larger than an individual church or temple or mosque; it is a vision for all creation – a world made whole through love and understanding.
And indeed, when we read our Statement of Ministry, we find that it is exactly that vision that we seek, knowing always that if we can model the Beloved Community among ourselves, we will be more effective in our work to create such a Community beyond these walls.
Our Statement of Ministry is on the back of the Order of Service. Let’s read it together now:
Believing that our ministries will flourish more abundantly within the beloved community, Emerson Unitarian Universalist Church offers a sanctuary of spiritual freedom where…
We celebrate and encourage the diversity of heritage, culture, beliefs, and experience shaping our individual visions of truth; we translate our compassion into sharing, our longings for peace and justice into action; we challenge ourselves to live our Unitarian Universalist Principles by bringing healing and hope to the larger community; we honor the transcendent mystery of creation by nurturing the planet and all who live upon it.
Martin Luther King, Jr. taught that “The Beloved Community isn’t a place, but a state of heart and mind, a spirit of hope and goodwill that transcends all boundaries and barriers, and embraces all Creation.”Embo
May we draw strength, hope and courage from this beloved community we call Emerson; but let it not stop there. Let us use that strength, hope and courage – to work for a world of peace and compassion and justice – a world that can truly be called the Beloved Community.
Amen.
© 2008 Anne Felton Hines. All rights reserved.
