AMANDA
by Kristen Psaki kristen.psaki@gmail.com @kristenpsaki Amanda Bancroft Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, ArkansasAmanda Bancroft is a writer, an artist, and a lover of trees. In fact, the thick trees of the Ozarks lead Amanda to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Fayetteville, Arkansas in 2007.
The unexpected encounter with the UU fellowship of Fayetteville blossomed into a deep commitment to the seven Principles and to #LivingUU out loud.
“It’s been an affirmation of who I am and also what I do.”
“Unitarian Universalism was a place for me of finally coming home. A place where I feel affirmed and supported in community with people I can actually be friends with and where I can feel safe.”
“Even vegetarianism is accepted more.”
On #LivingUU through the Seven Principles “I’m pretty much a dork for Unitarian Universalism.”
Amanda’s blog The Principle of the Thing traces her journey of applying Unitarian Universalism to life.
“The Principle of the Thing is a blog about applying Unitarian Universalism to our everyday thoughts, encounters, and actions. Our UU seven Principles can guide the choices we make in life, from the tiny toothbrush to the challenge of a career. Sustainability and justice are a mindset; even though a person isn’t perfect, filtering life through the lens of our principles may help us become the person we want to be, and create the world we want to see.
Finding her Sanctuary “I’m in a place on my journey where I need to find where my sanctuary is.”
As part of her journey out west this year she visited the redwood forest at Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park.
“I think my sanctuary is still trees. The redwood forest that I just experienced was the most awesome spiritual experience I’ve had in my life. I think I need to start taking my Unitarian Universalism outside of the church and be more in nature and be more actively UU in public as well.”
Find more stories of #LivingUU here.The authors of #Living UU are Beth Neavel-Cortez and Kristen Psaki. Beth is a free-lance journalist based in Austin, Texas. She is a life long Unitarian Universalist who knows that story-telling is what saves us. Kristen is a member of First Unitarian Society of Denver. She is pursuing ministerial ordination with Unitarian Universalist Association. Kristen loves chocolate and coffee, together or separately.