UUA News & Events: Reclaiming a Vocabulary of Reverence

News 2003

Reclaiming a Vocabulary of Reverence
within Unitarian Universalism

Rev. William G. Sinkford

Vocabulary of Reverence

Unitarian Universalism today is strong and vibrant. We continue to receive the attention of the media, and visitors are coming to our congregations as more become interested in our liberal faith. Can we make Unitarian Universalism even stronger by embracing language that will speak to our individual searches for truth and meaning? The Rev. David Bumbaugh, Unitarian Universalist minister and religious humanist, has called this language "a vocabulary of reverence." Bumbaugh writes, "We have manned the ramparts of reason and are prepared to defend the citadel of the mind. But in the process . . . we have lost . . . the ability to speak of that which is sacred, holy, of ultimate importance to us, the language which would allow us to enter into critical dialogue with the religious community."

In order to encourage your thoughts and reflection on how we might advance the dialogue and shape the ways in which we tell our own stories of faith, we offer these resources for your consideration. New materials will be posted as they are available; religious professionals preaching on this subject are invited to submit sermons for possible inclusion by sending them to Deborah Weiner, Director of Electronic Communication, oecdirector@uua.org

Yours in Faith,

William G. Sinkford Signaure

Unitarian Universalist Association
25 Beacon St. | Boston, MA 02108 | 617-742-2100

Reclaiming a Vocabulary of Reverence within Unitarian Universalism

Reclaiming a Vocabulary of Reverence
within Unitarian Universalism