From the Parsonage
Rev. Fred Small

This morning I preached a sermon I didn't want to preach.

While I felt an obligation as minister to address President Bush's call for congressional authorization to attack Iraq, I did not look forward to weighing in on so controversial a subject.

War is literally a matter of life and death. It stirs deep passions for and against. As Trish Geraghty acknowledged in Children's Time this morning, some in our sanctuary fought in the Vietnam War while others demonstrated against it.

Religious communities have an obligation to confront the great moral issues of their day, from slavery to civil rights to war and peace. But these issues can also split churches asunder, leaving bitter wounds that linger unhealed for decades. During the Vietnam War, some parishioners left First Church Unitarian because they found the congregation too liberal, and they never returned. In nearby Harvard, some Unitarian Universalists founded their own fellowship to escape the conservative cast of the congregation.

As minister, I have both the right and the duty to speak my conscience. But when I do, I will always emphasize that each and every member of the congregation has the same right of conscience and free expression.

As I noted last week, because Unitarian Universalism is a non-creedal religion, we are defined not by what we believe but by how we treat one another. Especially when discussing issues that provoke strong feelings, we must always subordinate our disagreement to our fundamental respect for each other's integrity, good will, and freedom to view things differently.

This morning, after preaching strongly against war on Iraq, I was touched by all those who thanked me for saying what was in their hearts. I was delighted that some said they would call Congress right away, or would email my sermon to friends and family.

But I felt most proud of our congregation when, in discussion afterward, some parishioners spoke candidly of their own uncertainty and ambivalence. "I found your sermon informative and persuasive," they seemed to be saying, "but the fact is I'm still not sure. It's a difficult and complicated issue." I was grateful for their willingness to speak openly and honestly.

The Fourth Principle of Unitarian Universalism affirms "a free and responsible search for truth and meaning." If my sermons contribute to your search, I'm gratified But the search will always be yours and yours alone. It will always be honored at First Church Unitarian.

Blessings,

Fred

11 Ways to Stop a War
This list of easy action steps to help prevent an attack on Iraq, which I made available after worship this past Sunday, is posted on the FCU website, www.fculittle.org. (Many of these steps take less than five minutes. Don't be intimidated by 11 steps. Just do the first three-or one!) Nearly eighty parishioners Sunday signed "A Unitarian Universalist Call for Peace," also posted on the website.-Fred

Back to Responding to the Threat of War & Additional Resources

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