by Rev. Dave Dunn
I write this article as I begin my eighth year at UUMAN. Eighth year!!! I am finding it to be a good time to ask myself the following question: Although I am still employed by the Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North congregation, is it still the same congregation? Is the UUMAN of today the same as the UUMAN of 2016?
The Buddhists and the process theologians amongst us would say that there is no such thing as an abiding “self.” They’d say that we are always in process, always changing, that we can’t point to any fixed thing and say “that’s me” or “that’s us.”
As an example, if the wooden planks of a sailing ship are replaced piece by piece each year such that, over the course of several years, 100% of the original planks are replaced, is it still the same ship? Physically it isn’t the same, it’s completely different; yet functionally the ship still does what it originally was built to do – namely sail. One could argue that the ship, though different physically is still the same functionally. So, is it the same or is it different? Maybe the answer lies somewhere in the middle?
What about UUMAN? Is the UUMAN of 2023 the same as the UUMAN of 2016? In 2019 we re-articulated our values, covenant, mission and vision, and since that time, we have been consistent in our articulation of and in our efforts towards those ideals. Yet at the same time, since 2016 people have stayed, people have come, people have gone; and despite our consistency in values, covenant, mission and vision, sometimes, to me, UUMAN feels different.
It is hard for me to characterize it but UUMAN now feels more mature – and more responsible to the institution of UUMAN than in 2016. I believe this is due the many strong Boards UUMAN has had in recent years. Most of our Board members have been through some type of church leadership training facilitated by the UUA. These trainings stress the recognition of unhealthy and the practice of healthy church systems.
I also believe that the members of UUMAN feel more empowered than ever before. I don’t hear the words, “Who said you could do that?” at UUMAN very often anymore. No one likes to be micromanaged. If anyone is inspired and passionate about a particular ministry (and they rally a set of other UUMAN members to the cause), it is my hope that they will feel free to pursue that ministry (e.g. social justice initiative, adult enrichment course, community engagement, etc.) to the fullest.
Of course, sometimes ministries and initiatives conflict with one another. We have space and storage issues. We have rental relationships that need to be managed. And in a society with changing demographics that have been magnified by a multiyear pandemic, we have a declining pool of churchgoers and have limited volunteers.
But all in all, we’ve managed to move forward (and change!) despite many obstacles. We now have a stunning new website and we are beginning to integrate our Breeze events and calendar into it. 2 nd Hour is offering more opportunities for faith development and interaction. Plans for a Playscape are finally moving forward after being idle for many years.
Of course, there will be bumps in the road and occasional conflicts. Yet, as UUMAN continues to mature, I am confident that we can listen to one another and continue to move forward in a healthy direction and in covenant with one another.
Nurture our spirit. Strive for Justice. Transform the world.
Dave
