Water for Our Soul
September 13, 2009
The Reverend Anne Felton Hines
One day recently, I was feeling really bad. I’d had a disagreement the day before with someone I care a lot about, and I’d awakened the next morning still feeling hurt and unsettled about it. I tried soothing myself with a cup of coffee and the morning paper; but of course, the news only strengthened my funk, and the coffee only upset my stomach. Even putting in some practice time at the piano didn’t help; I just couldn’t shake the cloud hanging over me.
So I was glad that I already had an appointment scheduled that day with my Spiritual Director – a woman who, like Julie Ann Matheson, guides me as I explore the deeper meaning of my everyday life. I knew that she would help me look at what was going on in my soul; I knew she’d help me get back to my center.
We began the session as we always do – with a few moments of quiet meditation. I sat there with my eyes closed, trying to shut out all the noise in my head. Gradually I became aware of the noises outside of me – the ticking of the clock, the birds in her garden, a dog barking somewhere, and the water fountain on the patio outside.
I’d never really noticed that fountain before. Oh, I knew it was there; but I’d usually found it somewhat annoying. (It had sounded to me more like a toilet running than a fountain! So I’d always tuned it out. This time, however, I heard it differently. This time, the sound of that water was like the sound of a gentle stream – compassionate and wise and sustaining. It quieted the noise inside me, and began to sooth my aching soul. I think I could have sat there all day listening to that water; it would have been enough.
The water that we blend together every year in September is no different from the water that brought me such peace that day. Whether it has been drawn from an ocean or river or lake; whether it has come to us from our kitchen faucet, or even from our tears of sorrow – there is a strength and joy to be found there, and a comfort that feeds our soul.
And that’s why we take our little empty bottles with us on our summer trips and fill them at every stop, or hastily fill an empty jar at home with tap water on this Sunday morning, or simply pour some water from a church pitcher into the common bowl – we know that it’s more than merely H20 that we’re blending; it’s our symbol of the beloved community – of this beloved community that we call our religious home. It is the recognition that our church is here to sooth our soul and call us back to our center – to our true selves.
In my newsletter column this month, I wrote about how frustrated and even scared I’d become watching and reading the news, because of all the hatred being expressed towards President Obama and his visions for health care reform. I said that I look to my religious community – that would be Emerson! – “to remind me that there is more goodness out there than evil; that love is greater than fear; and that, in the words of that great Unitarian preacher Theodore Parker: ‘The arc of the Universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’”
I know that a lot of you have been feeling that same frustration and concern of which I spoke in that column; and I also know that you let out a sigh of relief when you gather with your friends here at Emerson – whether it be on a Sunday morning in worship, or in a Small Group Ministry, or even during some committee or Board meeting. You may not even realize it, but I suspect that during times like these, when our core Unitarian Universalist – and indeed, American – principles of freedom and compassion and reasoned dialogue seem drowned out by the louder voices of fear and injustice, some bit of tension leaves your body when you arrive here and know you have arrived at a place of safety; a place that can soothe your weary soul.
Think of all the people in our West Valley community who are in need of our message of freedom and compassion and reasoned dialogue; who long for a community of “open minds, loving hearts and welcoming hands;” who wonder how to talk to their children about the deeper issues of life, but do not know where to turn.
Perhaps you remember a time when you did not know where to turn. Perhaps you remember the relief you felt when you first learned that there was a religious community that shared your values; that would give you not answers to your spiritual questions, but an invitation to walk with others on a shared quest for truth.
A couple of weeks ago, about a dozen of us from Emerson met for an hour with Senator Dianne Feinstein’s top aide to talk about health care reform. After I spoke a bit about our denomination’s stand on universal health care, the young man – Mr. Daley – remarked on how “cool” it was that our church has a woman minister. Then he asked if I could explain in one sentence what Unitarian Universalists believe, because he knew nothing about us. We all chuckled; I said no, I couldn’t describe it in one sentence. But I proceeded to try to succinctly explain this complicated faith, with the help of others sitting around the table.
Mr. Daley clearly never imagined a religion such as ours; but what most impressed him, I think, was how supportive UUism has been of the rights of bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender people over the years, and how hard this particular church has worked for marriage equality. “Hmmm…” he said; “I think I have some friends who’d be interested in your church!” He also seemed pretty excited to learn that he could read my sermons on our website; so maybe we’ll even see him at Emerson one of these days!
But it did make me wonder: If this young man hadn’t been the one to meet with us that afternoon to talk about health care reform, how much longer might it have been before he’d learn about Unitarian Universalism – before he’d be introduced to this faith that was the first to ordain women, the first to ordain gays and lesbians, the first to support a woman’s right to choose abortion, the first to perform services of Holy Union – and to advocate for marriage for same-sex couples?
Why would we not be doing everything in our power to get our message of freedom, compassion and reasoned dialogue to Mr. Daley and others like him? Why would we not be inviting our friends, and our children’s friends, to some of the activities we enjoy here at Emerson – the hiking group, the concerts, the book group, family nights – and dare I say, even Sunday morning worship and Religious Education? Why do we Unitarian Universalists remain so hidden?
Our message of “the inherent worth and dignity of every person” is what first drew me into Unitarian Universalism, and it is what makes me such an evangelist for it today. It is why I am so passionate about growth – of UUism in general, and of our membership here at Emerson; I believe we have a message that can change lives – that can soothe tattered souls. I know not all of you like the idea of Emerson becoming larger; it can be unsettling. But it can also be incredibly enriching – not only to those of us here now, but to those whose lives we touch because we have reached out and welcomed them in.
There’s a wonderful song in our blue hymnbook that goes, “There’s a river flowin’ in my soul; there’s a river flowin’ in my soul; and it’s tellin’ me that I’m somebody; there’s a river flowin’ in my soul.” Let’s sing that together. (Sing song.) That’s what a religious community such as ours tells each person that walks through the doors – that they’re “somebody;” that they have been born with “worth and dignity” like every other human being, and that they are deserving of the same compassion and justice as every other human being. Imagine the difference that message can make in the lives of some people. Imagine the difference it has already made – even in your life.
As our new church year unfolds, let us move forward boldly and joyfully, being for one another and for those who seek us like a fountain of water that soothes the soul, and strengthens us to do the work we are called to do in the world.
© 2008-2010 Anne Felton Hines. All rights reserved.
