move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice

[primroseburrows]

I woke up at quarter to ten this morning (that's 9:45 for those of you who weren't around back when clocks had hands), which isn't usually a bad time to wake up except for the fact that I had to be at church at ten. I toyed with just not going, but figured if I did that I might decide not to go next week and so on and end up back where I started with the staying home on Sundays. Besides, I'm in the choir. So, um, yeah. I threw on the clothes I wore to work yesterday and ended up not even being late (although I missed choir warm-up).

I love UU services a lot, especially the music. One of the songs they do regularly is called "Spirit of Life", which has a really pretty tune, and simple, amazing lyrics that go like this:

Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

We sang that today, which makes me even more happy I went, because it's one of those songs that stays with you, and it's a pretty good concept to have running around the brain all day. It fits all religions, which is always a good thing. If I can find a copy of the music, I'll upload it; it's really gorgeous.

Since this is the second week I've posted something church-related, it may become a trend. Not that this is a bad thing, mind you. :)

Comments

[tx-cronopio.livejournal.com]

Hey, I've started going to my local UU church! I'm actually Jewish, but it's a good fit and I like the people.

Alas, I missed this morning -- I was running late, and then when the dress I was going to wear had a stain on it, I just threw up my hands and said screw it.

(I didn't say I was GOOD at going :) )

[vsee.livejournal.com]

Hey, pardon me for jumping in, but I just saw your comment after I posted mine, and I wanted to say, I am an atheist, and finding the UU church a great fit, too. It's such an interesting place. I like the diversity of viewpoints, and the (mostly) respect for one another. I like things from a lot of different traditions, and there is a lot of nice blending. Just cause I am not big on Beard Guy, doesn't mean I don't enjoy me a nice ritual. *g*

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Happy Rosh Hashanah (a little late, but still)!

What I love best about UUs is that anyone is welcome--it's all about the journey, and that inherent worth and dignity stuff (and Fraser? Is SO a UU. Someday this will go in a fic, because I won't be able to stop it from doing so ;)).

[vsee.livejournal.com]

I am very interested to hear what's up in your church, since I am in the process of joining a UU church.

I, too, barely made myself go today, but I am glad I did.

Part of the sermon made me feel like I was being poked with a stick, but that's typical from this minister...it's not always easy to be an atheist rationalist/humanist whatever handwavy thing I call myself and be at church without a lot of cognitive dissonance. Mostly I make it work. Today he was insisting that in order to have a sense of of wonder and reverence for the world, you had to believe in a plan or pattern...which of course, I totally don't. It doesn't diminish my enjoyment and reverence about the universe at all. But there he was in his sermon, making statements about colony insect behavior and proteins that seemed to act sentient, and insulting "hardcore secularists." I so, so, SO want to make him listen to the RadioLab episode about colony insect behavior, and LEARN SOME SCIENCE, FER PETE'S SAKE. Geez. Also, fer Pete's sake to stop generalizing about people, and assuming things about his audience...cause I know I am far from the only atheist in that church. There is a CLUB! *hearts* Anyway, I am really sick of people telling me that I am incapable of feeling love or of appreciating the world on a basis higher than chemical reactions if I embrace science and in particular chaos theory, or other forces of randomness (see insect colony example). I was about ready to start headdesking from how much he misunderstands a point of view like mine.

In general, the other ministers and other members are respectful, but also very religious compared to me. It's interesting to see how I am fitting in with them, and how they respond to this guy who, frankly, makes me a bit nuts. Coincidentally, and totally unsolicited, two people told me long stories about him today that gave me some insight into him. It's going to be OK, but it's going to take work. I was happy to hear good things about him from these people.


I sat down next to someone and ended up in an intense 40 minute conversation, and then just after that got glommed by several committees looking for volunteers. Apparently, I will now be cleaning out their library, serving on a transportation committee to address car-free issues, and occasionally working in their kitchen.

I love this UU church a whole bunch, and had a fine day there, but...it was sort of like being MUGGED WITH LOVE today. :D This is partly why nobody sees me online much at the moment.

If you end up with a UU filter, put me on it, please.

P.S. I dig that song, too. Even though I think most of the UU hymns are a little lame and really hard to sing.

[primroseburrows.livejournal.com]

Anyway, I am really sick of people telling me that I am incapable of feeling love or of appreciating the world on a basis higher than chemical reactions if I embrace science and in particular chaos theory, or other forces of randomness (see insect colony example). I was about ready to start headdesking from how much he misunderstands a point of view like mine.

Our minister uses the word "God" but she also uses a lot of other words for whatever might or might not be out there. She leaves a lot of leeway and so far hasn't thrown anything at us (which is exactly how a good UU minister SHOULD practice, y/y?). She ends her sermons with "so be it, and blessed be, and amen" (to which my brain always adds "so say we all",every single time, because I am a GIANT GEEK, and someday I will say this out loud and get stares and stuff).

I sat down next to someone and ended up in an intense 40 minute conversation, and then just after that got glommed by several committees looking for volunteers. Apparently, I will now be cleaning out their library, serving on a transportation committee to address car-free issues, and occasionally working in their kitchen.

Yep, it's a UU church all right. Hee!

If you end up with a UU filter, put me on it, please.

I probably won't do a filter, since I have never set a subject filter up. I figure people can scroll if they don't want to read it. ;)

P.S. I dig that song, too. Even though I think most of the UU hymns are a little lame and really hard to sing.

There's something I really love about the "giving life the shape of justice" line. It's shivery, and makes me want to join marches and sit-ins and things. Erm. :)