Neshoba UU Church in Cordova, TN
The word Neshoba, also the name of their region, comes from the Choctaw for “gray wolf.” And this congregation has affirmed that it is much better to travel in a pack.One can feel pretty lonely and isolated as a religious liberal. And through our participation in Association Sunday, we are not only raising funds to help Grow Our Faith. We are affirming our connections as an Association of Congregations.
Some of our smaller and more “isolated” congregations are aware of how valuable it is to be connected with a larger movement. Bill Neely, minister of the Neshoba UU Church on their Association Sunday last year “preached on our Associational ties, using covenant as the framework.” He said it was a pleasure to participate, and that it was “nice to spend a Sunday doing a service similar in theme to so many other UU churches.” Neely writes:
In our area of the country, where there are very few Unitarian Universalist congregations, it’s easy to feel isolated. Association Sunday, however, helps us recognize and celebrate our connections to the wider faith as we join hundreds of other congregations in supporting Unitarian Universalism. As worship, Association Sunday is strengthening as we realize our connections to hundreds of fellow faith communities. As witness, Association Sunday is transforming as we join together in helping our churches touch more lives, more deeply. And as welcoming, Association Sunday is joyful as we remember our calling to open our doors in enthusiasm to those who seek our loving and historic faith.
With 153 members, the Neshoba church contributed generously to growth projects last year, but by participating they gave us all something more: they are strengthening our connections, helping all of us to Grow Our Faith.
Because the Neshoba congregation viewed their special celebration on Association Sunday as a gift to them, they have chosen to participate again this year. Let all our congregations seize this opportunity to experience our covenant, and to see that we are better together. We don’t often feel we are part of a pack, but the affirmation of our common bonds and purposes as Unitarian Universalists is an empowering gift we can all share with one another.
Last updated on Monday, September 8, 2008.
