May 22, 2005

Rev. Henry Ticknor
Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley

Singing, Shouting and Celebrating

Friday night this sanctuary was host to the magical and marvelous wedding of Sarah and Toby--two of our own members to whom I gave special dispensation to miss church this morning--should they so desire!

It was a marvelous celebration of the life and vitality of two of our young adults who weekly grace us with their wisdom and good humor. Friday night, I began their wedding ceremony with these words:

"Friends, we have gathered together on this spring evening to celebrate love. Just as this is a time for new beginnings in nature, it is a time of new beginnings in relationships as well.

This spring wedding ought to remind us that, like the seasons, human life--the life of spirit and emotions--moves in cycles. To be in a loving relationship does not guarantee eternal summer. To make a sincere and honest commitment does not promise to make an end to all struggles. What a good relationship does offer is opportunity for renewal. It recognizes the abiding, shared hope that after every winter, spring will come again."

Well, I think it is appropriate that we are gathered on this bright spring morning to celebrate the first anniversary of our move into this building.

For just as in our personal lives the life of a congregation moves in cycles--cycles of spirit and emotions.

A year ago today we had over 200 people sitting on wooden folding chairs as we celebrated the dedication of this new church and my installation as this congregation's first called minister. For some it was a day that seemed too long in coming, as it was a day that gave life to a long held dream. For others it was a day of change, a move from the "old" church that had been home to this congregation for almost 20 years that brought tears of joy as well as a sense of loss and sadness. But I think for all, the new building became a symbol of what our church both can and will be.

Just as spring is a time for new beginnings in nature, this time is also a time for new beginnings for the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley.

This morning we are gathered to celebrate beginnings, and to acknowledge that our congregation, as anything else we would have live a long time, requires sustaining care and nurture. We must protect it, nurture it and celebrate in its beauty.

Let us remain seated as we sing verse 0ne of Hymn # 361

Enter, Rejoice and come in. ...Today will be a joyful day...

Today I thought I would revisit some of the words spoken at last year's celebration by Richard Speck, the Joseph Priestly District Executive and by Forest Church. In his charge to the congregation the Rev. Dr. Speck said:

" My first charge to you, the members and friends of UUCSV, is to fill this church to capacity with involved leaders. Don't rely on a small core of people to do all the work of building this community of liberal minded people. Own your church, take an active role in making it a strong voice for our faith...

Don't be afraid to grow into this wonderful space. Discover what the needs of the community are around you and find ways to offer services that meet those needs. Plan now to act like a large church and broaden your understanding of how to practice radical hospitality to the strangers who will want to join you in this scared space...

My next charge is to allow people to rest from their leadership roles. Don't run each other down with endless drains on your time and talents. If people are ready to take up the tasks then others can take a break, catch their wind, and join in again after a time of restoration.

He also charged us to be fair-minded and to live in right relationship with one another. There will be occasions where everything seems to be going wrong and it would be tempting to accuse or blame someone for a failure. But blame doesn't fix the problem and it surely doesn't build community. Be nice to one another. Speak the truth in love is the need is there. Work to solve problems, not create them.

And Finally, Richard charged us to have fun. To create times of laughter and play. Church participation should be joyous and not onerous. Everything we do in this new building will be a first. He charged us to build in a culture of laughter, friendliness and love. Let the greater community of Winchester know that the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley is the most welcoming, the friendliest and the most loving congregation around. And when you do, he concluded, and when you do, your wildest dreams will be realized.

Let's now sing verse 3 of Enter, Rejoice and Come In:

Open your hearts every one...Today will be a joyful day...enter, rejoice and come in

The other speaker at the dedication ceremony was Forest Church, the senior minister of All Souls Unitarian Universalist Church in New York City. In 1986 Rev. Church also spoke at the dedication of our first church building, the small white church just down route 11 that is now home to a Unity congregation. That's almost 20 years ago.

The topic Revered Church chose was being Born-again Unitarian Universalism. In his talk he reminded us that Unitarian Universalism is the "quintessential American Faith but he also warned us that "We can protect our own religious freedom by protecting the religious freedom of both those who draw their own circle more tightly and those who stand outside the circle of religion altogether."

Furthermore he said Unitarian Universalist Principles reflect the encompassing faith in liberty and equality expressed in the Declaration of Independence. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights springs from the same source. Listen carefully, he urged us, to our denominational principles: We affirm:

• The Inherent worth and dignity of every person
• Justice, equity and compassion in human relations
• Acceptance of one another and spiritual growth in our congregations
• A free and responsible search for truth and meaning
• The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large
• The goal of world community with peace, liberty and justice for all.
• Respect for the interdependent web of all existence, of which we are a part

"The ideals we embrace are lofty ideals," he said to us that day. "We will never live up to them fully. But if we devote our lives to them, they challenge us daily to hearken to what Abraham Lincoln called the better angels of our nature. And Thomas Jefferson who said, "It is in our lives and not our words that our religion must be read."

Let us now sing verse 4 of Enter, Rejoice and Come In.

Don't be afraid of some change.... Today will be a joyful day...enter, rejoice and come in.

In the year that we have been in this new building we have experienced so many gifts. The gifts of 27 new members, the gifts of our re-energized choir and the wonderful musicians that Claudia brings to us each week, musical offerings, the gifts of flowers and other decorations that adorn our sanctuary. I am aware of each of these gifts and I am thankful for them.

I am also very appreciative of another gift.... the gift of being your minister during this time of change and transition. I was first attracted to this congregation by the energy and enthusiasm that was so evident in the old church and I was, to tell the truth, uncertain if that energy would make the move to this building and I am ecstatic to say that it has.

But this morning I want to acknowledge another very special gift to our congregation. As you entered the building this morning, I hope many of you saw the beautiful weaving depicting our Unitarian Universalist flaming chalice that is hanging above the double doors as you come into the sanctuary. Our own Ann Cross wove this wonderful work of art She is unable to be with us this morning because of an illness in her family but I'm sure she would appreciate your notes and emails of thanks and appreciation for her gift to this congregation. I want to say a public "thank you" to Ann for gracing our space with her creativity.

What a wonderful and exciting time it is for the Unitarian Universalist Church of the Shenandoah Valley. And what a wonderful and exciting and challenging time it is to be a Unitarian Universalist. I believe that one of life's greatest blessings is to be a part of a liberal religious community that celebrates life in all of its complexities and offers a circle of caring for all who are in need of a sanctuary of peace.

Enter, Rejoice and Come for today, of all days, will be a joyful day.

Amen and blessed be!