EVENT: B2016 0626 SUNDAY WORSHIP 1030 AM EST CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: HEAR INK http://www.hearink.com PHONE: 314‑427‑1113 **********DISCLAIMER********** THE FOLLOWING IS AN UNEDITED ROUGH DRAFT TRANSLATION FROM THE CART CAPTIONER'S OUTPUT FILE. THIS TRANSCRIPT IS NOT VERBATIM AND HAS NOT BEEN PROOFREAD. TO DO SO IS AN EXTRA FEE. THIS FILE MAY CONTAIN ERRORS. PLEASE CHECK WITH THE SPEAKER(S) FOR ANY CLARIFICATION. THIS TRANSCRIPT MAY NOT BE COPIED OR DISSEMINATED TO ANYONE UNLESS YOU OBTAIN WRITTEN PERMISSION FROM THE OFFICE OR SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IS PROVIDING CART CAPTIONING TO YOU; FINALLY, THIS TRANSCRIPT MAY NOT BE USED IN A COURT OF LAW. **********DISCLAIMER********** >> GOOD MORNING. IF WE ARE WISE THIS BEAUTIFUL SUNDAY MORNING, WE WILL EXCHANGE TO THE PRIVILEGE OF NEW BREATH. WE WELL EXCHANGE A SONG AND OFFER UNTO THE WORLD THE BLESSING FOR OUR VOICES. IT'S MY PLEASURE TO SAY THAT YOU AND YOU AND YOUR VOICES ARE VERY WELCOME HERE. LET'S SING. [SINGING] >> GOOD MORNING. AND WELCOME. WHAT A JOY TO THE WORSHIP WITH YOU THIS MORNING. SUNDAY MORNING AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY IS ALWAYS ONE OF THE SPECIAL WORSHIP EXPERIENCED OF THE YEAR. IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO FEATURE SOME OF THE POWERFUL VOICES OF OUR FAITH. THIS YEAR'S SERVICE IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW COLLABORATION CAN CREATE SOMETHING THAT ONE PERSON COULD DO ALONE OF THE REVEREND NANCY McDONALD LADD AND DR. GLEN THOMAS RIDEOUT HAVE WORKED TOGETHER CLOSELY. I'VE LOST CONTROL! TO SHAPE THE WORDS AND MUSIC TO TOUCH OUR HEARTS AND MINDS AND THEY'RE OFF TO A GOOD START. NANCY SERVES AS SENIOR MINISTER AT THE RIVER ROAD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION IN BETHESDA, MARYLAND. SHE IS KNOWN HAS AN ADVOCATE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND TODAY WE WILL SPEAK ABOUT HOW WE BECOME OUR BEST AND TRUEST SELVES IN AND THROUGH OUR RELATIONSHIPS, EVEN WHEN THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH DIFFICULT. YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT FAKE FIGHTS AND REAL FIGHTS. VERY MUCH IN KEEPING WITH A THEME THAT LAST NIGHT'S WARE LECTURE TALKED ABOUT. GLEN THOMAS CONDUCTING OUR 180 VOICE CHOIR THIS MORNING. SERVES THE FIRST UU CONGREGATION OF ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN, AS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC. WE'VE GOT TO GET TO THE SERVICE, FOLK. IS DIRECTOR OF MUSIC AND WORSHIP. BEYOND HIS WORK WITH THE CONGREGATION, HE'S DEEPLY INVOLVED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HE SOMEHOW FINDS TIME AND ENERGY WHICH TIME HAS AN ORCHESTRA CONDUCTOR AND ALSO, AS YOU'VE JUST HEARD, AS A SINGER. THIS MORNING'S WORSHIP INCLUDES NOT ONLY ATTENDEES TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY, BUT IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. IF YOU'RE A 50 THIS MORNING, LET ME HE CAN TEND A WARM WELCOME. WHETHER YOU COME FROM ACROSS THE OCEAN OR ACROSS TOWN TODAY, YOUR PRESENCE IS A BLESSING. [SINGING] >> THE OPPORTUNITY HAS COME TO US AGAIN TO WEAVE A SINGULAR TAPESTRY OF LIFE FROM COUNTLESS STRANDS OF DAZZLING DIFFERENCE, AND A RENEWED QUEST FOR COMMON PURPOSE. >> THE TIME HAS COME AGAIN FOR YOUR HAND AND YOUR HAND AND MY HAND TO CHOOSE EACH OTHER'S COMPANY FOR OUR CONNECTED EMBRACE TO GUIDE US TOWARD DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF OURSELVES AND EACH OTHER. >> THE OPPORTUNITY HAS COME FOR YOUR VOICE AND YOUR VOICE AND YOUR VOICE AND YOUR VOICE AND MY VOICE TO ASSEMBLE OUR VOICE. AND FOR OUR VOICE TO AWAKEN MELODIES OF UNMITIGATED HOPE TO LIFT UP SONGS THAT CHASE AFTER JUSTICE. >> WITH A WOVEN WILL, WE CAN MAKE SACRED WORK OUT OF THIS MOMENT. WITH A GATHERED SPIRIT, WE CAN BUILD COMMUNITY I DON'T KNOW, EVEN IN THE MOST CONVENTIONAL SPACE. >> SO COME, WHOEVER YOU ARE. LET US TAKE UP THE CHALLENGE AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING BE ONE WITH EACH OTHER. >> AND LET US LEARN ONCE AGAIN WHAT LOVE CAN DO WHEN THERE TRULY IS A WE. >> AND LET THE EVIDENCE OF OUR DECISION GIVE STRENGTH TO EACH OF OUR LIVES FOR ALL OUR LIVING. WITH YOUR BODY, WITH YOUR MIND, WITH YOUR VOICE, RISE AND LET OUR VOICE GAB THEY HAD. OUR HYMN IS GATHER THE SPIRIT, HARVEST THE POWER. TRULY OUR SEPARATE FIRES CAN KINDLE ONE FLAME. LET'S SING. [SINGING] JOIN YOUR VOICES WITH MINE AND LET US BE GATHERED. SO MAY IT BE WITH US. PLEASE HAVE A SEAT IF YOU LIKE. OH, I MEAN THAT. [LAUGHTER] >> ONLY IF YOU WANNA. >> YEAH. >> [SINGING] THERE IS MORE LOVE SOMEWHERE. >> IN THE MIDST OF SO MUCH HURT IN THE WORLD, SO MUCH THAT LIES HEAVY ON OUR HEARTS, TODAY IS A DAY OF BLESSING FOR THE WORK AHEAD. SO I INVITE YOU TO JOIN US IN THE SHARED BLESSING OF PRAYERFUL PRESENCE. SPIRIT OF LIFE, SOURCE OF HOPE, GOD BEYOND OUR NAMING, WE GATHER TOGETHER TODAY, BOTH EXPANSIVELY HOPEFUL AND RESTRICTIVELY CONFINED HOPEFUL THAT WE MIGHT RISE TO MEET A NEW DAY NO THOSE WHO SEEK AND WHO SEVER THE SPIRIT, HOPEFUL THAT EVEN AND EVERY ONE OF US MIGHT ENCOUNTER THE SACRED WITHIN, AMONG, AND BEYOND EVERY HUMAN SOUL AND HOPEFUL THAT SUCH AN HE KNOW COUNTER MIGHT WORK THROUGH US TO TOPPLE THE IDOLATRIES OF OUR AGE. AND YET WE ALSO GATHER AS A PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT YET FREE, A PEOPLE CONFINED, UNFREE, CONTAINED. WE ARE CONFINED, UNFREE, CONTAINED, EVEN ON THIS DAY OF CELEBRATION AND BLESSING, BECAUSE IN THIS CULTURE OF DIVISION BUILT UPON THE PAIN OF THE PEOPLE AT THE MARGINS, EVEN THE DECENT PEOPLE HOLD THEIR LOVE TOO TIGHTLY, PUTTING IT IN BOXES, PREFACING IT WITH QUALIFICATIONS. I WILL YOU OF. I WILL SEE YOU IF. I WILL BARE WITNESS TO THE TRUTH OF MY SOUL ALONGSIDE YOU IF AND ONLY IF YOU AGREE WITH ME, YOU LOOK LIKE ME, YOU STAND LIKE ME, YOU THINK LIKE ME, YOU ACT LIKE ME, YOU THINK LIKE ME. YOU WEAR YOUR GENDER ON YOUR SLEEVE AND PRODUCE IT UPON DEMAND. I WILL LOVE YOU AND I WILL MEET YOU IN THE SANCTUARY OF OUR HEARTS, IF AND ONLY IF YOU GIVE ME EVIDENCE OF YOUR GOOD LIBERAL VIRTUES. IF AND ONLY IF YOU NEVER FAIL TO SPEAK THE LANGUAGE OF THE MOVEMENT AND NEVER WEEP UPON A STREET CORNER OUT OF GRIEF FOR YOUR SHEER INADEQUACY AND THE VASTNESS OF THE STRUGGLE YOU CANNOT EVEN NAME. WE ARE IMPRISONED BY THESE IFS AND THESE IF ONLYS. WE ARE CONFINED BY THE SMALLNESS OF OUR LOVING, EVEN AS OUR SOULS REMIND US THAT WE CAN ONLY GET FREE IF WE ALL GET FREE TOGETHER. AND SO TODAY, TODAY, DEAR SPIRIT OF LIFE MOVING IN THIS PLACE, MOVING IN US TODAY AT THE END OF THIS WEEK OF INTERSECTION, LET OUR HOPEFULNESS MINGLE WITH OUR CONVICTION. LET OUR WILLINGNESS TO LOVE BEYOND OUR EXPECTATIONS OR EXPERIENCE BREAK DOWN OUR LONG‑HELD BARRIERS. LET OUR WILLINGNESS TO BE HONEST ABOUT THE HARDEST QUESTIONS OPUS TO NEW TRUTHS. MAY THERE TRULY BE MORE LOVE, WITH NO LABELS AND NO BINARY AND NO PREFACE AND NO QUALIFICATION AND NO ARITHMETIC AND NO LIMIT. LET THERE BE MORE LOVE TO LIBERATE US ALL AND MAY WE KEEP ON, TODAY AND EVERY DAY, UNTIL WE FIND IT AND SHARE IT, INCH BY PRECIOUS INCH, WITH ONE ANOTHER AND THE WORLD. >> [SINGING] >> IN THIS LARGER LOVE, WE ARE INVITED INTO AN ENCOUNTER WITH HOLINESS BEYOND ALL OF OUR CATEGORIES, BEYOND ALL OF OUR FALSE BINARIES OF GENDER, OF BELIEF, OF TITLE, OF FORM, IN THIS LARGER LOVE. WE ENCOUNTER THAT WHICH WE CANNOT CLAIM OR NAME, BUT CAN ONLY EXPERIENCE WITH OPEN HEARTS AND DEEP, DEEP HUMILITY. AN ACTIVE SOURCE OF CONNECTION WE MAY, ON SOME DAYS, CALL GOD. >> I OFFER A POEM FROM MY OWN MEDITATIONS. I SHARE A BIT OF WHAT IS TRUE IN MY HEART, PRAYING THAT IT WILL COMMUNE WITH WHAT IS TRUE IN YOURS. I CALL HYPO 'EM AFTER ALL. MY POEM, AFTER ALL. GOD IS NO NOUN. AND CERTAINLY NOT AN ADJECTIVE. GOD IS AT LEAST A VERB, AND EVEN THAT SHRINKS HER. GLAD YOU IS NOT SO MUCH A WOMAN AS SHE RESIDES IN THE IMPROBABLE HOPE OF BROWN MOTHERS. GOD IS NOT SO MUCH A MAN AS HE IS AT WORK IN THE MEMORY OF MY GRANDFATHER'S LAUGH. GOD IS NOT TRANS. GOD SWIMS IN THE TEARS OF THE ONE WHO IS SEEING HER REAL SELF AT LONG LAST IN THE BATHROOM MIRROR. GOD IS NOT BLACK/NEITHER IS HE WHITE. GOD IS WADING IN THE CONTRADICTION OF SONGS FROM SLAVE SHACKS. AND I HAVE SEEN GOD IN THE ALABASTER SMILES OF CHILDREN AT PLAY. WE'RE GETTING MICHELANGELO ALL WRONG. GOD IS NOT THE BEARDED ONE, SURROUNDED BY ANGELS FLOATING OVER THE SISTINE. HE IS NOT ADAM, WITH HIS MUSCLED BACK PRESSING THE EARTH. NO. GOD IS THE CLOSING INCH OF SPACE BETWEEN THEIR REACHING FINGERS. DON'T BELIEVE FOR A MOMENT THAT GOD IS CATHOLIC. [LAUGHTER] FOR GOD'S SAKE, HE ISN'T EVEN HUMAN. HAVE YOU HEARD THE WOOD THRUSH WHEN THE SUN GLISTENS THE HURON? CAN YOU SEE THE FLOWERS, HOW THEY SPEAK TO BEES WITHOUT A WORD? STILL, GOD IS NO SPRING BLOSSOM, NO WOOD THRUSH; GOD IS NEITHER THE SUN NOR THE BEE. GOD IS WHAT YOU SEE IN THE BLOSSOM. GOD IS WHEN YOU HEAR THE RIVER AND SUDDENLY DISCOVER HOW MUCH OF IT IS PART OF YOU. TO BE CLEAR, GOD IS NOT YOU. [LAUGHTER] GOD IS SOMEWHERE IN THE 14 BILLION YEARS WHICH HAVE COME TO MEAN THAT YOU ARE GOD IS, AFTER ALL, AT LEAST A VERB. SHE IS NEITHER PHARAOH'S ROD NOR MOSES' STAFF. WE MUST BE THE ONCE TO CEASE OUR SLAVERY. SHE IS NOT INTERESTED IN BLAME; NEITHER DOES SHE OFFER PRAISE. TRUTH, GRATITUDE ARE OURS TO BREATHE. SHE WILL NOT HAVE YOUR ANSWERS. SHE IS TOO LARGE FOR ANSWERS. SHE DANCES TOO WILDLY TO BE FASTENED TO THEM AND ANSWERS ARE NOUNS ANYWAY. GOD IS AT LEAST A VERB. TWIRLING IN THE RADIANT REDS OF SPRING BLOSSOMS, SINGING IN THE RARE SILENCES BETWEEN RAPID OPINIONS, ATTENDING THE TEARS OF DARK‑SKINNED DEATHS, LEARNING IN TINY, ALABASTER SMILES. GOD IS WAITING IN THE SPACE BETWEEN FINGERS THAT MIGHT CONNECT. HE IS WAITING FOR US TO STOP NAMING HER. SHE IS WAITING FOR US TO SEE ALL OF HIM. GOD IS WAITING TO BE UNSHRUNK. >> AS THE LYRICS OF OUR TREASURED HYMN PROCLAIM, FROM THE DREAMS OF YOUTHFUL VISION COMES A NEW PROPHETIC VOICE WHICH DEMANDS A DEEPER JUSTICE BUILT BY OUR COURAGEOUS CHOICE. AND SO WE ARE CALLED TO GENEROSITY IN THIS TIME OF OFFERING BY THE VOICES OF YOUNG LEADERS WHO, WITH EVERY CHOICE THEY MAKE, TRANSFORM ALL THE POETRY AND ALL THE SINGING AND ALL THE PRAISE OF OUR TRADITION INTO THE TANGIBLE WORK OF THEIR OWN HANDS. >> UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISM CONNECTS ONE HAND TO ANOTHER, ONE LIFE TO ANOTHER, ONE GROUP OF PEOPLE TO ANOTHER FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE. CONGREGATIONS ARE ONE OF THE FEW REMAINING INSTITUTIONS THAT REALLY CHALLENGE THE NOTION THAT DIFFERENCES OF GENERATION, AGE, BACKGROUND STORY, AND IDENTITY SHOULD SEPARATE US INTO FACTIONS. AND SO THIS IS A COLLECTION OF OUR MONEY, BUT IT IS ALSO A CONNECTION TO PARTNERS IN MINISTRY, WITH WHOM WE ARE SO HONORED TO BE IN RELATIONSHIP. >> THE PRISON SYSTEM IN THE UNITED STATES IS BROKEN. THE COMMON HUMANITY OF EACH AND EVERY SOUL IS DE‑EMPHASIZED AND PRECIOUS LOVED ONES BECOME NUMBERS, BECOME STATISTICS, SO MANY FIGURES ON A SCREEN. BUT LIKE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS, THE HORIZON PRISON INITIATIVE BELIEVES THAT HONOR, RESPECT, AND DIGNITY ARE DUE TO EACH AND EVERY HUMAN BEING, NOT BECAUSE OF THE GREATNESS OF THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS NOR HOW THEY HAVE BEHAVED, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE HOME TO A SOUL THAT IS INHERENTLY HOLY. THE HORIZON PRISON INITIATIVE SEEKS TO MEET EACH INMATE IN THAT HOLY PLACE, AT THE CENTER OF THEIR OWN STORY, WITH SPIRITUALITY, ACCOUNTABILITY, RESPECT, AND COMMUNITY. PRISONERS EMERGE TRANSFORMED INTO BETTER PARTNERS, PARENTS, CHAMPIONS OF JUSTICE, AND AGENTS OF CHANGE IN THE WORLD. NOW, YOU ALL KNOW THAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS ARE OFTEN THREATENED FOR THE MOST PREVENTABLE OF REASONS. AND DUE TO RECENT FUNDING CUTS IN THE STATE OF OHIO, MANY OF THE VITAL MINISTRIES OF HORIZON PRISON INITIATIVE, THE RECIPIENT OF OUR COLLECTION TODAY, ARE AT RISK OF BEING CUT IN NOT AT ALL TRIVIAL WAYS AND YET LEADERS ACROSS THIS STATE ARE READY TO DO THEIR PART TO KEEP THE WORK ALIVE. AND AT THIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, WE LEARNED THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OF THE STATE OF OHIO, MIKE DEWINE, HAS AGREED TO MATCH THE FUNDS WE COLLECT THIS MORNING RIGHT THIS MINUTE DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR. [APPLAUSE] THAT IS HOW IMPORTANT AND VITAL THIS WORK IS, AND THAT MONEY IS DESIGNATED TO SUPPORT HORIZONS PLANNED EXPANSION FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER INTO A WHIP'S PRISON BEGINNING IMMEDIATELY. IF YOU ARE GENEROUS, IF YOU ARE BOLD, IF YOU ARE BRAVE ENOUGH, AN INITIAL GROUP OF 72 WOMEN WILL ENTER A YEAR LONG PROGRAM OF PERSONAL AND INSTITUTIONAL TRANSFORMATION, AND SO WHAT YOU GIVE TODAY, IT ISN'T JUST DOUBLED, IT IS THE GRACE OF YOUR GENEROSITY BEING COMPOUNDED AND MULTIPLIED BY THE CAPACITY OF THOSE WHO TAKE UP THIS WORK. AND SO I INVITE YOU TO BE BOLDER THAN YOU IMAGINED TODAY, DIG DEEPER AND REACH FURTHER, BECAUSE THIS GIFT DOES NOT CHANGE LIVES. IT SAVES THEM. IT BUILDS PRISONERS INTO LEADERS WHO SAVE THE WORLD, AND YOU GET TO BE A PART OF IT. JUST AS THE CHOIR TURNS MANY VOICES INTO ONE SONG, SO MIGHT WE BUILD OUR INDIVIDUAL GENEROSITY INTO WILFUL, INTENTIONAL POWER TO SHAPE THE WORLD, AND SO WRITE YOUR CHECK. PUT THE MONEY IN THE ENVELOPE. TEXT IT IN. ALL OF YOU AT HOME, RIVER ROAD UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION IS LIVESTREAMING. ALL OF Y'ALL, ALL OF YOU DIG DEEP THE SOUND OF SOUTH TOGETHER SENSE A SONG. ONE VOICE GATHERED TOGETHER AND TOGETHER, BUT THE SUBSTANCE OF OUR TOGETHERNESS IS A DEEP POTENTIAL, BOTH FOR PERSONAL TRANSFORMATION AND SERVICE TO THE WORLD THAT CALLS US FORTH. AND SO LET US GIVE OF OUR MANY GIFTS. THIS MORNING'S OFFERING WILL NOW BE GRATEFULLY RECEIVED. [OFFERATORY] [SINGING] >> AS REPRESENTATIVES OF THE HORIZON PRISON INITIATIVE, WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ACCEPT THESE GIFTS. >> TOGETHER, OUR MISSION IS TO TRANSFORM PRISONERS WHO TRANSFORM PRISONS AND COMMUNITIES. SO THIS OFFERING IS LIFTED UP IN SERVICE TO THAT ESSENTIAL SPIRITUAL AND EMOTIONAL WORK. >> TO THE WORK OF HUMAN CARE, WHICH CALLS US TO WEAVE A TAPESTRY OF LOVE AND ACTION, OF RESTORATION AND FAITHFULNESS TO THE AN DONE WANT POSSIBILITIES THE OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT. WE DEDICATE THESE OFFERINGS AND OUR CONTINUED EFFORTS TO HELP TRANSFORM INMATES WHO ARE TRANSFORMING PRISONS AND COMMUNITIES. [APPLAUSE] >> ENTERING MORE DEEPLY NOW INTO THE WORSHIP HOUR, WE OFFER TWO READINGS. WE MAKE SPACE TO ENGAGE ANCIENT AND YOUNG WISDOM WITH EQUALLY‑OPEN EARS THAT EACH MIGHT GUIDE OUR HEARTS TOWARD GREATER LOVE OF OURSELVES AND GREATER LOVE IN THE SPACE BETWEEN US. >> OUR FIRST READING IS FROM PROVERBS 4, VERSES 1 THROUGH 9. HEAR, YE CHILDREN, THE INSTRUCTION OF A PARENT, AND ATTEND TO KNOW UNDERSTANDING. FOR I WAS MY FATHER'S SON, TENDER AND ONLY BELOVED IN THE SIGHT OF MY MOTHER. HE TAUGHT ME ALSO, AND SAID UNTO ME, LET YOUR HEART RETAIN MY WORDS: KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS, AND BE STRONG. GET WISDOM, GET UNDERSTANDING: FORGET IT NOT; NEITHER DECLINE FROM THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH. FORSAKE HER NOT, AND SHE SHALL PRESERVE THEE: LOVE HER AND SHE SHALL KEEP THEE. WISDOM IS THE PRINCIPAL THING; THEREFORE, GET WISDOM A AND WITH ALL OF THY GETTING, GET UNDERSTANDING. >> OUR SECOND READING IS THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT BY YEHUDA AMICHA. FROM THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT, FLOWERS WILL NEVER GROW IN THE SPRING. THE PLACE WHERE WE ARE RIGHT IS HARD AND TRAMPLED, LIKE A YARD. BUT DOUBTS AND LOVES DIG UP THE WORLD LIKE A MOLE, A PLOW, AND A WHISPER WILL BE HEARD IN THE PLACE WHERE THE RUINED HOUSE ONCE STOOD. >> WHAT A BEAUTIFUL THING IT IS WHEN WE CREATE WORSHIP TOGETHER THAT MAKES THE MICROPHONE EVEN WANT TO SING. [LAUGHTER] ACTUALLY, ITS SINGING REMINDS ME OF THE MANY HANDS AND THE MANY MINDS THAT GO INTO BUILDING THIS WORSHIP HOUR. THERE ARE FOLKS ALL AROUND THIS ROOM WHO ARE HOLDING YOU AND YOU AND YOU AT HOME IN CARE. SO LET US NOTICE THE HOLY MOMENT AFTER THAT FEEDBACK HOW QUICKLY IT WAS TAKEN CARE OF. WE ARE WELL SERVED. THE ANCIENT CATHOLIC CHANT OFFERS US THIS WISDOM: LET US ATTEND. UBI CARITAS ET AMOR, DEUS IBI EST. WHERE THERE IS LOVE AND COMPASSION, THERE IS THE LOCATION OF GOD. >> [SINGING] AMEN. >> I HAVE RECEIVED RELATIVELY FEW HONORS OR NOTEWORTHY DISTINCTIONS IN MY LIFE THUS FAR. THERE IS THE ONE‑TIME GUINNESS RECORD HOLDING WORLD'S LARGEST KAZOO BAND IN WHICH I WAS A DECIDEDLY NON‑FEATURED PLAYER. THERE IS THE FACT THAT I AM STANDING HERE BEFORE YOU TODAY. AND THERE IS THE SINGULAR HONOR I WILL NEVER FORGET OF HAVING BEEN THE VERY FIRST FEMALE ALTAR SERVER AT SAINT MATTHEW'S CATHOLIC CHURCH IN POSEY COUNTY, INDIANA. [APPLAUSE] I REMEMBER THE MUSTY YEASTY WHINY SMELLS OF THE SACRISTY, THE LINEN ALB COOL UPON MY SHOULDERS, THE HEAVY BIBLE RESTING IN THE CROOK OF MY ELBOWS, ALL 70 POUNDS OF ME HELD DOWN TO EARTH WITH THE BALLAST OF THAT HOLY BOOK. THICK WITH GOLD AND BRIGHT RED RIBBONS, I REMEMBER THE LIBERATIVE STORY OF THE LITURGY, THE SMELLS AND THE BELLS AND THE GLORY AND THE MONOTONY OF IT WOVEN TOGETHER. I LOVED IT ALL. AND IN TIME, BEING PROPERLY TRAINED, I WAS SET UP ON THE USUAL ALTAR SERVER ROTATION. LET'S SAY THIRD SUNDAYS AND I LEARNED THAT ON THIRD SUNDAYS I WOULD BE SERVING AT MASS NOT WITH OUR REGULAR PRIEST, BUT WITH THE ONCE‑A, MONTH GUEST PRIEST WHO FILLED IN WHEN THE REGULAR GUY WAS OUT OF TOWN. WE WILL CALL HIM FATHER BEHME, AND HE AND I, WE WERE ESSENTIALLY THE B TEAM AT SAINT MATTHEW'S CHURCH. WITH WE WERE THE BACKUP LITURGICAL ACTORS, THE NEW KID, A GIRL, NO LESS, WITH PINK SPARKLY GLASSES AND A HOME PERM AND THE SECOND STRING PRIEST WHO WAS ALL TOGETHER CRANKY AND MORE BORING THAN THE REGULAR HIP GUY. WHAT A PAIR WE WERE ON THIRD SUNDAYS. WHO CAN SAY HOW THE WHOLE THING WENT IN THE BEGINNING OF THAT FIRST SERVICES, WHEN WHICHEVER GODDESS OF CHURCH ADMINISTRATION SET THE ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE AT SAINT MATTHEW'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, THRUST US INTO CONTACT WITH ONE ANOTHER. I DON'T REMEMBER THE BEGINNING OF THAT FIRST SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE AT ALL, BUT I REMEMBER THE END. YOU SEE, IN THE PIVOTAL MOMENT AFTER COMMUNION AT SAINT MATTHEW'S, THERE WAS THIS RITUAL WHERE THE PRIEST CLEANED THE CHALICE AND THE PATEN FREE FROM THE LAST HOLY DROPS AND CRUMBS OF THE SACRAMENT. AND I WAS TRAINED THAT IT WAS MY JOB TO POUR JUST A LITTLE BIT OF WATER FROM A TINY CUT GLASS PITCHER INTO THE CHALICE, WHEREUPON THE PRIEST WOULD SWITCH IT AROUND A LITTLE BIT, DRINK THE WATER AND SWIPE THE WHOLE THING CLEAN WITH A LITTLE EMBROIDERED CLOTH, ALL OF WHICH I WOULD HANDILY PROVIDE, LIKE A WATER AT A FANCY RESTAURANT. WHEN WE GOT TO THE SERVICE I WAS ALL SET WITH MY LITTLE CLOTH. ILL ALL SET WITH MY WATER. MY HANDSOME HOW LOOKED MORE SANCTIFIED BY HOLDING THAT LITTLE VESSEL. AND I REMEMBER WALKING UP TO FATHER BEHME ALL FULL OF EAGERNESS, ALL READY TO POUR IT IN AND BEGINNING THE PROCESS OF THE SAY CENT AND ANCIENT ABLUTIONS. BUT AS MY HANDS ROSE UP TO MEET HIM, INEXPLICABLY, INSTEAD OF HOLDING OUT THE CUP FOR ME TO FILL, HE RAISED HIS HAND UP, TOO. STILL HOLDING THAT CHALICE AND LOOKING ME RIGHT IN THE EYE, HE RAISED HIS HANDS HIGH, HIGH ABOVE MY HEAD. SO I REACHED HIGHER WITH THAT LITTLE JUG OF WATER. AND THEN HE REACHED HIGHER WITH THE CUP. AND I WENT UP ON MY TIPPY‑TOE WITH HIS THAT WATER AND HE RAISE THAT HAD CUP SO HIGH THAT VICK TROY MY PART WHO HAVE REQUIRED ME TO GO BACK TO THE SACRISTY, LOCATE A TRAMPOLINE, AND JUMP WITH ALL OF MY LIFE AND SLAM DUNK THAT HOLY WATER IN THE CHALICE, WHICH I'M PRETTY SURE I WOULD HAVE DONE IF I'D HAVE THOUGHT OF IT. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, SURELY I WAS DOING IT WRONG. SURELY THERE WAS SOMETHING I HAD FORGOTTEN. SURELY IF I JUST KEPT TRYING, HIS HANDS WOULD COME TOWN AND MY HANDS WOULD GO UP AND THEY WOULD MEET IN THE MIDDLE, LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO, AND THE HOLY WATER WOULD POUR, AND SURELY, SURELY, I THOUGHT, I WAS DOING IT WRONG. THAT IS THE SUM TOTAL OF MY MEMORY OF THAT DAY. I DO NOT ACTUALLY KNOW HOW THE SITUATION RESOLVED ITSELF, BUT MY MOTHER, OUT IN THE PEWS, SO PROUD, SO DEAR AND SO FEROCIOUSLY DEVOTED TO ME, SHE WATCHED THAT WHOLE DRAMA FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE. FROM HER ANGLE, THE CUP WENT UP. MY HANDS WENT UP, THE CUP WENT UP, MY HANDS WENT UP, AND IN THE MOMENT WHEN I WENT UP ON MY TIPTOES SO DESPERATELY FRIGHT END TO THE BONE THAT I WAS DOING IT WRONG, SHE HEARD AND SHE FELT THE ENTIRE CONGREGATION AS THEY GASPED, AS ONE BODY, ONE GREAT INTAKE OF COLLECTIVELY BREATH. BECAUSE THE CONGREGATION, AND ESPECIALLY MY MOTHER, THEY KNEW WHAT I CANNOT KNOW. NAMELY, THAT FATHER BEHME REACHED THE SACRAMENT SO FAR ABOVE ME, STRETCHING THE DISTANCE BETWEEN HIS HANDS AND MINE, FOR ONE REASON ONLY. BECAUSE I WAS A GIRL. AND THE WHOLE CONGREGATION SAVE ME COULD SURMISE, HE DIDN'T THINK I BELONGED IN THE CHANCEL. SO HE MADE HIS POINT. AND I SUPPOSE WE ALL WENT HOME. MOM INCENSED. ME JUST CONFUSED. AND YET THE NEXT TIME THE THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH ROLLED AROUND AGAIN, GUESS WHERE WE ALL WERE? RIGHT THERE IN THAT CHANCEL DOING WHAT YOU DO ON SUNDAY MORNING. WITH MY MOM IN THE FRONT ROW FIERCELY WATCHING, THE PLAYERS IN THE DRAMA OF HUMAN INTERACTION MET ONCE AGAIN, ON THE STAGE OF SOCIAL CHANGE. AND WE DIDN'T DO IT, BECAUSE ANY OF US WERE HEROES. WE DID IT BECAUSE THE GODDESS OF THE SAINT MATTHEW'S CATHOLIC CHURCH ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE CANNOT SEE FIT TO PUT US ANYWHERE ELSE. WE WERE RIGHT THERE AND WE STAYED THERE. ON EVERY THIRD SUNDAY FROM THEN ON I HELD OUT THE WATER AND HE HELD OUT THE CUP AND OUR HANDS MET AND THE LITURGY HAPPENED SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY, MONTH AFTER MONTH, AND IN AND OUT OF YEARS. WE WERE STUCK WITH EACH OTHER, SHOWING UP FOR THE MAGIC LONG ENOUGH THAT THE MAGIC ACTUALLY HAPPENED. ONE SUNDAY I ARRIVED IN THE SACRISTY BEFORE SERVICES. I PULLED MY ALB OUT OF THE CHANCEL CLOSET AND I SAW THERE ON THE DOOR A LITTLE TINY NEWSPAPER CLIPPING OF ME FROM THE HOMETOWN PAPER. IT WAS A PICTURE OF ME IN A HIGH SCHOOL SWIMMING RACE, GASPING FOR BREATH UNDER THESE GIANT PURPLE GOOGLES. FATHER BEHME HAD CLIPPED IT AND HE'D TAPED IT THERE. IN THE SAME MINUTE HANDWRITING HE USED TO LABEL THE LITTLE DRAWERS OF OIL AND WHATNOTS IN THE SACRISTY, UNDERNEATH THAT CLIPPING IN HIS BLACK PEN HE HAD WRITTEN ONE LINE: OUR NANCY, IT SAID. HE EVEN UNDERLINED THE OUR PART. OUR NANCY. AND AFTER THAT, WHENEVER I HAD SOME MODEST OR NERDY TRIUMPH WHICH ONLY A SMALL TOWN PAPER REPORTS ON, ATTENDING THE NATIONAL CONVENTION OF STUDENTS OF CLASSICAL LANGUAGES, PERHAPS, BECAUSE I WAS COOL, HE WOULD CLIP THOSE THINGS AND HE WOULD DISPLAY THEM WITH PRIDE ON THAT SACRISTY DOOR, BECAUSE BY THEN I BELONGED NOT ONLY ON THE CHANCEL, BUT IN THE CHURCH, AND IN SOME SMALL BAY, IN HIS NEW HEART. TODAY I AM A PREACHER WOMAN IN PART BECAUSE OF THAT SENSE OF BEING KNOWN AND CLAIMED AND EVEN UNDERSTOOD BY THAT CRANKY OLD MAN. AND TODAY, FATHER BEHME NOT ONLY SERVES AMONG A WHOLE SLEW OF FEMALE ALTAR SERVERS. HE'S EVEN GONE SO FAR AS TO SPEAK FAVORABLY ABOUT THE ORDINATION OF WOMEN IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH. [APPLAUSE] WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY, BABY. AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN, I SAY THAT THIS MEETING OF HANDS AND THIS SEA CHANGE OF POSSIBILITY WAS REALIZED NOT BECAUSE WE WERE THE HEROES OF OUR OWN STORY, NOR BECAUSE WE EARNED THE GRACE OF OUR ENCOUNTER, BUT BECAUSE WE WERE STUCK WITH EACH OTHER. [APPLAUSE] I WAS NOT WHAT FATHER BEHME WAS LOOKING FOR ON THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH AND HE WAS NOT WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR IN A PRIEST. NEITHER OF US PARTICULARLY GOT WHAT WE WANTED FROM THE GODDESS WHO MASTERMINDED THE ALTAR SERVER SCHEDULE, AND AS IT TURNED OUT, NOT GETTING WHAT WE WANTED, BEING STUCK WITH ONE ANOTHER SO LONG THAT UNDERSTANDING MIGHT ARISE IN THE VERY FRICTION OF OUR DIFFERENCE, NOT GETTING WHAT WE WANTED WAS THE ONLY THING THAT MADE CHANGE POSSIBLE FOR ANY OF US. THE WONDERFUL, DEEP SPIRITED ANTI‑RACIST ORGANIZER MICKEY SCOTTBEY JONES HAS SAID THAT RELATIONSHIP IS THE SANDPAPER THAT WEARS AWAY OUR RESISTANCE TO CHANGE. RELATIONSHIP IS THE ABRASION THAT AGITATES ENOUGH TO MAKE A WAY FORWARD. RELATIONSHIP CONSISTENT AND ONGOING ENCOUNTER WITH PEOPLE AND PERSPECTIVES DIFFERENT THAN OUR OWN, IT SMOOTH THE WAY FOR THE SACRED EVEN AS IT RUBS US RAW. AND THERE IS A HOLY ABRASION OF THE SPIRIT THAT IS BORN IN DEEP RELATIONAL ENCOUNTERS ACROSS DIFFERENCES. WE, AS A CONGREGATION AND AS A MOVEMENT, EXIST TO BE INSTRUMENTS THAT HAVE HOLE A BRACE, THOSE VERY ENCOUNTERS ARE OUR WORK. AND YET WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO HIDE FROM THE DISCOMFORTS INHERENT IN A HOLY ABRASION. THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES PRESENTED EACH AND EVERY DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CONGREGATION AND AMONG US TO BACK AWAY FROM THE HARD WORK OF CONTINUALLY AND REPEATEDLY RELATING MEANINGFULLY TO ONE ANOTHER AND THE WORLD. AND ONE OF THEM IS TO INSIST, AT ANY POSSIBLE JUNCTURE, THAT YOU GET WHAT YOU WANT OUT OF THE EXPERIENCE OF CONGREGATIONAL LIFE. [APPLAUSE] AS IF CHURCH IS A SHORT ORDER MENU AND COMMUNITY IS A PRODUCT TO BE CONSUMED ON YOUR TERMS, IN YOUR TIME, WITHOUT MAKING YOU UNCOMFORTABLE OR DEMANDING A WHOLE LOT OF YOU IN THE FIRST PLACE. [APPLAUSE] IT'S THE TRUTH SPOKEN IN LOVE, PEOPLE. AND ONE OF THE WAYS TO BLOCK THE HOLY ABRASION THAT BRINGS CHANGE IS TO IMAGINE THAT BOTH CONGREGATIONAL LIFE AND RELIGIOUS LIBERALISM ITSELF ARE CONTESTS COMPLETE WITH WINNER AND LOSERS, AND IF WE DON'T GET OUR WAY, WE ARE WANDERERS, WORRIERS, AND LOVERS OF LEAVING, ARE WE NOT? [APPLAUSE] >> AND WHO SAYS WE HAVE TO SHOW UP AND PUT ON THE ALB THE NEXT THIRD SUNDAY? WHO SAYS WE HAVE TO SHOW UP AT ALL? THE HERO OF MY LITTLE STORY, AGAIN, IT WASN'T ME OR FATHER BEHME. IT WAS THE LITURGY ITSELF. IT WAS THE CHURCH THAT ASKED US TO KEEP SHOWING UP EVEN WHEN WE HONESTLY RATHER WOULD NOT. IT WAS THE STEADY PERSISTENCE OF BEING STUCK TOGETHER LONG ENOUGH TO TRULY BECOME ONE ANOTHER'S PEOPLE, EVEN IN SPITE OF OURSELVES. NOW, DO NOT GET ME WRONG. JUST BECAUSE I QUIETLY KEPT SHOWING UP ON THIRD SUNDAYS DOES NOT MEAN I AM ADVOCATING FOR JUST TAKING THE FORMATIVE ABRASION OF RELATIONSHIP OR THE WOUNDS OF OPPRESSION WITHOUT COMMENT OR RESISTANCE. FOR GOD'S SAKE, DO NOT THINK I'M COMING OUT AGAINST A GOOD FIGHT. WE SHOULD NEVER, NEVER BE COMPLACENT OR PEACEFUL IN THE FACE OF THE POWERS, PRINCIPALITIES, AND SUPREMACY SYSTEMS OPPRESS. OH, NO. AND I WILL TELL THAT YOU IF FATHER BEHME AND MYSELF WOULD MEET UNDER SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES TODAY, IT LIKELY WOULDN'T GO DOWN QUITE LIKE IT DID BACK THEN. [LAUGHTER] OVER MY YEARS OF SERVICE IN THE MINISTRY, I'VE REQUIRED WHAT COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS CALL AN EDGE. [LAUGHTER] AND THESE DAYS, IF ANYONE HAS THE TEMERITY TO DISCOUNTS ME OR UNDERMINE ME BASED ON THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF MY GENDER EXPRESSION OR AGE, I AM LIKELY TO OFFER UP A WITHERING STARE AND A SPRING OF 10‑DOLLAR WORDS TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT I DO NOT BOW BEFORE THE PATRIARCHY. [APPLAUSE] OH, YES. IF IT HAPPENED TODAY, THERE WOULD BE WORDS. I AM NOT ONE TO SPEAK AGAINST AN HONEST FIGHT. FAR FROM IT. I THINK WE NEED TO LEAN INTO THE REAL FIGHTS OF OUR AGE. WE NEED TO DO THE WORK BEFORE US. NOT LET ANOTHER 50 YEARS PAST AND ASK AGAIN WHAT IN THE WORLD WE HAVE BEEN DOING ALL THAT TIME WHILE THE DREAM GOES UNREALIZED. [APPLAUSE] WE NEED TO PRESERVE OUR CAPACITY FOR THE PRECIOUS GIFT IT IS, OUR CAPACITY TO ENGAGE. WE NEED, FRIENDS, TO KEEP IT REAL. KEEPING IT REAL MEANS ADMITTING WHAT WE'RE REALLY ALL HERE FOR IN THE FIRST PLACE. IN SPITE OF WHAT EVERY CONGREGATIONAL SATISFACTION SURVEY SAYS, WE CANNOT COME HERE FOR THE COFFEE. AND WE CANNOT EVEN COME FOR THE GREAT MUSIC. WE DON'T EVEN COME FOR OUR AWESOME, EXCELLENT MINISTERS. YOU DON'T. WE COME BECAUSE WE HAVE A DEEP ACHING NEED FOR AN ENCOUNTER WITH THE HOLY THAT CROSSES OUR BORDERS AND EXPANDS OUR HEARTS. WE COME TO BE A PART OF SOMETHING SO MUCH LARGER THAN OURSELVES, AND WE CANNOT DO THAT HOLY WORK TOGETHER UNLESS WE ARE REALLY WILLING TO SET ASIDE OUR OWN NEED TO WIN AND REACH OUT OUR HANDS AND SEEK THE DEEPER UNDERSTANDING THAT COMES WITH DIFFERENCE. [APPLAUSE] MICHELLE ALEXANDER HAS SAID THAT NOTHING WILL REALLY CHANGE IN THIS COUNTRY UNLESS WE ARE WILLING TO BE A COALITION UNITED BY REVOLUTIONARY LOVE THAT PRESERVES THE PARTICULARITY OF OUR INDIVIDUAL PATHS AND DRAWS US IN TO MEANINGFUL RELATIONSHIP OVER THE SPAN OF ALL THAT DIVIDES US THIS. COALITION, ALEXANDER SAYS, IS DESTINED TO FAIL. IF WE NEVER MUSTER THE COURAGE TO STAND UP FOR WHAT WE TRULY BELIEVE AND BUILD, A MULTI‑RACIAL, MULTI‑ETHNIC, NON‑VIOLENT ARMY OF ARTISTS, ACTIVISTS, TEACHERS, HEALTHCARE WORKERS, FORMERLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE, CURRENTLY INCARCERATED PEOPLE, PARENTS, STUDENTS, ELDERLY PEOPLE, ACT ACADEMIC, HOURLY WORKERS, AND EVERY ONE OF CONSCIENCE WHO IS WILLING TO BRING AN END TO THE POLITICS OF PUNITIVENESS AND DIVISION IN OUR DAYS. [APPLAUSE] WE IN THE LIBERAL CHURCH ARE CALLED TO HELP CREATE AN AMERICA THAT MOVES BEYOND THE PUNITIVENESS AND DIVISION OF OUR DAYS, AND TO YOU, TO YOU THE ONES WHO GAVE ME BOTH MY VOICE AND MY EDGE, I DARE TO SAY THAT WE CANNOT ENTER INTO THIS COALITION ONLY ON TERMS WE CHOOSE FOR OURSELVES. [APPLAUSE] WE MUST ENTER INTO BELOVED COMMUNITY READY TO HAVE THE TERMS CHANGED IN WAYS WE OURSELVES COULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED, READY TO SHOW UP EVEN AND ESPECIALLY WHEN WE DO NOT GET WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WANTED. BECAUSE NEITHER CONSUMERISM NOR CONFLICT ITSELF IS THE PRIMARY IMPEDIMENT TO THE EFFICACY OF THE LIBERAL CHURCH IN OUR AGE. GETTING PLAID ENOUGH AT IT MERITS AN APOLOGY IS NOT A SIN AT ALL IN OUR TRADITION. THAT'S JUST THE SANDPAPER OF THE HOLY, WORKING ITS WAY ALONG. NO, THE GREATEST IMPEDIMENT TO THE EFFICACY OF THE LIBERAL CHURCH NOD IS NOT THE REAL FIGHTS AND REAL FAILURES WE GET INTO WHEN WE ARE DOING HARD WORK. IT IS THE FAKE FIGHTS WE WASTE OUR TIME ON WHILE OUR OWN PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS WORLD STRUGGLE TO SURVIVE. [APPLAUSE] AND WHEN I WEEP, WHEN I WEEP FOR WANT OF COURAGE THESE DAYS, WHICH I DO, IT IS BECAUSE I AM PERSONALLY NOT AT ALL ADEQUATE TO THE URGE HE WANTS MORAL DEMANDS OF OUR TIME. THAT'S JUST BEING HONEST. YOU'RE NOT EITHER, ON YOUR OWN. BUT I ALSO WEEP, BECAUSE I WORRY. I WORRY LITERALLY EVERY DAY THAT IN THIS MOMENT OF UTMOST URGENCY, WE, THE VERY ONES THE WORLD HAS BEEN WAITING FOR, ARE WASTING OUR CAPACITY TO BUILD CHANGE ON FAKE FIGHTS THAT DISTRACT US FROM THE WORK AT HAND. [APPLAUSE] WE GO OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHO IS A HUMANIST AND WHO IS A THEIST AS IF THEY ARE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE. WHO GOT THEIR WAY IN WHAT BYLAW DISCUSSION AND WHAT COLOR WE SHOULD PAINT THE CHURCH BATHROOM. [LAUGHTER] SO PROTECTED BY OUR BUSYNESS THAT THE REAL FIGHTS, THE HONEST CONVERSATIONS, AND THE TRANSFORMATIVE SANDPAPER OF REAL RELATIONSHIP PRESENTED TO US SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY, WEEK AFTER WEEK, SLIP RIGHT PAST US AND WE REMAIN THOROUGHLY AGITATED, BUT FUNDAMENTALLY UNCHANGED. IN THE MEANTIME, WHILE WE ARE FIGHTING OUR SAFE, INWARDLY FOCUSED FIGHTS, THE SHAME. I DISPARATE INFANT MORTALITY RATES BETWEEN BLACK AND WHITE COMMUNITIES REMAINS THE MOST DURABLE MARKER OF RACIAL INEQUALITY FACING OUR NATION TODAY. [APPLAUSE] IN THE MEANTIME, ANOTHER OF FREDDIE GRAY'S KILLERS GETS OFF SCOTT‑FREE. IN THE MEANTIME, NATIVISM AND ISOLATIONISM SEEM POISE TODAY BECOME THE WORLD'S NEW NORMAL. IN THE MEANTIME, YES, THE PLANET IS BLEEDING AND THE FUTURE OF RELIGIOUS IN AMERICA IS UNCERTAIN AND IN THE MEANTIME, EVERYTHING YOU AND I AND ALL OF US CARE ABOUT IS AT STAKE AND PEOPLE WE LOVED WHO LAUGHED AND WEPT WITH US ONE WEEK AWAY, ONE WEEK AGO, TAKE THEIR REST IN EARTH'S EMBRACE TODAY. ALL OF THIS, AND YET TOO OFTEN IN OUR CONGREGATIONS, WE CANNOT EVEN MEET EACH OTHER'S HANDS TO POUR THE HOLY WATER OF SACRED WORK, BECAUSE WE ARE TOO DARN BUSY DECIDING WHETHER WE EVEN WANT TO BE IN THIS PLACE TOGETHER TO START WITH. I TAKE SOME COLD COMFORT IN THE FACT THAT WE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS DO NOT HAVE A CORNER ON THE MARKET FOR SUCH BEHAVIORS. FOR AS LONG AS TWO OR MORE HAVE GATHERED IN THE NAME OF THE SPIRIT, THOSE TWO OR MORE HAVE FOUGHT SOME FAKE FIGHTS. [APPLAUSE] YOU REMEMBER, PERHAPS, THAT CLASSIC OLD CHESTNUT OF A WEDDING READING FROM CORINTHIANS WHICH SAYS, IN PART, IF I SPEAK IN THE TONGUES OF MORTALS OR OF ANGELS, BUT DO NOT HAVE LOVE, I AM ONLY A RESOUNDING GONG OR A CLANGING SYMBOL. IF I HAVE A FAITH THAT CAN MOVE MOUNTAINS, BUT DO NOT HAVE LOVE, I HAVE NOTHING. THAT LETTER FROM THE APOSTLE PAUL TO THE EARLY CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY IN CORINTH HAS NOTHING WHATSOEVER TO DO WITH THE USHY‑GUSHY ROMANTIC SENTIMENT IT IS SO OFTEN ASSOCIATED WITH AT WEDDINGS. THAT IS A LETTER FROM AN OVEREXTENDED PASTOR WITH OCCASIONALLY DUBIOUS JUDGMENT TO A CONGREGATION WHOSE LEADERS ARE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF FIERCE AND UNREMITTING CONFLICT. [APPLAUSE] THE EARLY CHRISTIANS IN THE CORINTH CONGREGATIONS WERE LITERALLY SHOUTING THEIR PRAYERS OVER CLANGING SYMBOLS OVERTOP OF ONE ANOTHER TO TRY TO PROVE WHO WAS BETTER AT PRAYING. THEY WERE TRYING TO MAKE FAITH INTO A CONTEST, AND WHETHER HE WAS SAINTLY OR NOT, PAUL WAS HAVING NONE OF IT. NOR WAS THE HEBREW LEADER WHO FIRST DECLARED IN PROVERBS THAT THE PRIMARY THING IN ALL THIS IS NOT WINNING. IT IS WISDOM. AND SO THEY SAID, THEREFORE, GET WISDOM: AND WITH ALL THY GETTING GET UNDERSTANDING. THE COLLECTIVE WISDOM OF THE AGES REMINDS US THAT THE STAKES ARE HIGH AND THE ULTIMATE PRIZE WE MUST REACH OUT FOR IN COMMUNITY IS GREATER THAN THE IMAGINED DIVISIONS AND TRUMPED‑UP ARGUMENTS THAT PULL US APART. AND HERE IS A SEGUE WAY YOU WON'T SEE COMING. YOU KNOW IN WRESTLE MANIA WHEN PROFESSIONAL WRESTLERS HAVE FAKE FIGHTS? SOMETIMES THEY ARE ACTUALLY AT RISK OF GETTING HURT. AND DO YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DO? BEFORE THE MUSCLE SNAPS OR THE BONES BREAK IN THAT FAKE FIGHT? THEY TAP OUT. THEY BANG THE MAT. WHEN THE FAKE FIGHT GETS CLOSE TO HAVING REAL CONSEQUENCES, THEY TAP OUT. AND I TELL YOU WHAT, I AM TAPING OUT. RIGHT NOW. AND I INVITE YOU TO JOIN ME. I AM TAPING OUT. [APPLAUSE] >> OF EVERY FAKE FIGHT IN OUR CONGREGATIONS OR OUR MOVEMENT ABOUT GETTING WHAT I WANT OR WHAT YOU WANT OR WHAT WE THINK WE WANT, BECAUSE IN THIS AGE THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH AND WE DO NOT HAVE TIME FOR FAKE FIGHTS ANYMORE. [APPLAUSE] AND I KNOW, I KNOW AND YOU KNOW THAT THE REAL CONVERSATIONS ARE WAITING. JUST BENEATH THE SURFACE OF THE FAKE FIGHT IS THE REAL ABRASION OF THE HOLY, THE ACTUAL ENCOUNTER, SOUL TO SOUL, HAND TO HAND, IN WHICH CHANGE IS POSSIBLE. A FAKE FIGHT ABOUT THE BYLAWS IN THE ANNUAL MEETING IS MOST OFTEN A CAREFULLY CONCEALED REAL FIGHT ABOUT THE VALUES THAT UNDERGIRD OUR HISTORY COMING INTO RELATIONSHIP WITH THE VALUES THAT MIGHT UNDER GIRD OUR FUTURE. AND IF WE WERE GET PAST DUKING IT OUT OVER THE PAINT COLOR IN THE CHURCH BATHROOM, WE MAY ENCOUNTER A PASTORAL WINDOW INTO THE INNER LIFE OF ONE WHOSE VOICE IN THE WORLD SEEMS INCREASINGLY POWERLESS. AND ALL LIVES MATTER. YES. THAT ONE. CHIEF AMONG THE FAKE FIGHTS AND COVER CONVERSATIONS THAT DISTRACT US FROM THE WORK AT HAND, IT IS NOT ABOUT THE SLOGAN. [APPLAUSE] MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, IT IS ABOUT OUR DEEP AND ABIDING RESISTANCE TO ACTUALLY TAKING ON THE SYSTEMIC WHITE SUPREMACY THAT EATS AT THE HEART OF US AND OUR CULTURE. [APPLAUSE] SO LET US HAVE THAT CONVERSATION, THE REAL ONE, THE HARD ONE, THE ONE THAT REQUIRES US TO KEEP SHOWING UP. LET US HAVE THAT CONVERSATION AND LET US DO IT WITH EDGE AND FORGIVENESS, CALLING OUT AND CALLING IN, CALLING FORTH A NEW KIND OF COMMUNITY BOTH IN OUR CONGREGATIONS AND IN THE WORLD. THE REAL FIGHT, THE REAL CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR HISTORY, OUR IDENTITY, OUR RELEVANCE, AND OUR RESISTANCE. THE REAL CONVERSATION BECKONS AND THE WORLD DOES NOT NEED ANOTHER PLACE FOR LIKE‑MINDED LIBERAL LEANING PEOPLE TO HANG OUT TOGETHER AND FIGHT ABOUT WHO'S IN CHARGE. [APPLAUSE] THE WORLD DOES NOT NEED A PLACE WHERE YOU OR I OR ANY SINGLE ONE OF US GETS WHAT WE WANT. WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS IS A MOVEMENT LIKE OURS TO STEP MORE FULLY INTO OUR HIGHER CALLING, TO SERVE HAS AN INSTRUMENT FOR ENCOUNTER WITH ONE ANOTHER, WITH THE HOLY AND WITH THE WORLD SO THAT WE MIGHT LOVE MORE FULLY AND SPEAK MORE TRULY AND SERVE WITH GREATER EFFICACY IN SUCH A TIME AS THIS. MY HANDS REACHED UP, AND IN TIME THE GOOD FATHER'S HANDS REACHED DOWN. AND THE HOLY WATER DID GET POURED, SUNDAY AFTER SUNDAY, MONTH AFTER MONTH, AND IN AND OUT OF YEARS. AND MY FRIENDS, MY PARTNERS IN FAITH, YOU MUST REACH OUT, TOO. STARTING WITH EACH OTHER AND EXPANDING BEYOND EACH OTHER TO A COALITION OF BORDER‑CROSSERS, LED BY VOICES AT THE MARGINS, A COALITION THAT MIGHT YET PREACH LOVE AMID THE PUNITIVENESS AND DIVISION OF OUR DAYS. EVEN WHEN YOU DIDN'T GET WHAT YOU WERE HOPING FOR. EVEN WHEN THE SANDPAPER OF RELATIONSHIP FELT A LITTLE TOO ROUGH. EVEN WHEN YOU FIGURE OUT HOW HARD THE REAL FIGHT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE. EVEN THEN, YOU MUST REACH OUT TOO. AND IN THIS PRECIOUS AND FRAGILE INSTITUTION THAT IS THE CHURCH, YOU MIGHT FIND SOMEONE REACHING RIGHT BACK, THE HOLY MADE MANIFEST IN THE CLOSING SPACE BETWEEN YOUR OUTSTRETCHED HANDS. [APPLAUSE] >> [SINGING] [APPLAUSE] >> GO NOW INTO YOUR CORNERS OF THE WORLD, KNOWING THAT YOUR COMMUNITY NEEDS YOUR VOICE. >> YOUR VOICE IS A PART OF OUR VOICE. >> AND TOGETHER, OUR SONG CAN BE FULL OF HOPE, FULL OF ACTION. >> FULL OF THE PROPHETIC GIFT THAT SAYS TO THE WORLD, THERE IS MORE LOVE TO BE FOUND. >> SO WITH PEACE IN YOUR EYES. >> GO WITH LOVE IN YOUR HANDS. >> GO WITH JUSTICE IN THE VERY SOLES OF YOUR FEET. AMEN? >> AMEN. AMEN. >> [SINGING] >> GO IN PEACE, MY FRIENDS: [APPLAUSE] EVENT: B2016 0626 SUNDAY WORSHIP 1030 AM EST CAPTIONS PROVIDED BY: HEAR INK http://www.hearink.com PHONE: 314‑427‑1113 **********DISCLAIMER********** THE FOLLOWING IS AN UNEDITED ROUGH DRAFT TRANSLATION FROM THE CART CAPTIONER'S OUTPUT FILE. THIS TRANSCRIPT IS NOT VERBATIM AND HAS NOT BEEN PROOFREAD. 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