Coffee Hour

Sean Dennison says:

I like one word/phrase topics that keep the creative doors and windows wide open--
Inclusivity
Redemption
"And Service is our prayer..."
Justice

But, if those aren't detailed enough for some of us, I'd love to discuss
Anti-racism/racial justice
Class issues
The OpenUUA initiative
Shared Ministry--is it a good thing?
Is there such a thing as a UU theology?

I could go on and on, but I won't...

Will Shetterly says:

A few of my obsessions. Should Unitarian Universalists change their name to something shorter than ten syllables? Could we have a nickname a little less cryptic than UUs? How can so many UUs want to change the world and still be reluctant to evangelize? How can religious liberals work with political conservatives?

I know I'm forgetting thousands of others.

Dhiro says:

I support participating in serious discussions, but, since we're going with this theme and imagery, does anyone have the lyrics to the hymn, "Coffee, Coffee, Coffee," and could we reprint it here?

Thus, my initial suggestion for a discussion topic is how/when to use humor in worship or preaching...

Mark Brooks says:

I would like to hear from others more knowledgeable than myself about present-day Universalist theology. Let's imagine that the merger had not happened, and that Universalism had remained alive and thriving. What would it be like today?

Scott Wells says:

Two things:

1. What is the biggest un-talked-about issue in the UUA?

2. What do non-attenders want to hear from bloggers who will be at GA this year?

Rana says:

Having just been inspired by Jakob's post...

UU jokes -- good ones we've heard, what they say about UUism, and the like. :)

(Could be broadened to a larger discussion of the interplay of humor and religion for UUs.)

Will Shetterly says:

How about democracy? It's a UU principle. The American version is a mess. In my humble, we need to scrap the electoral college and institute Approval Voting, a system that's easier to explain and implement than Instant Runoff Voting, and so far as I can tell, ultimately fairer because it doesn't reward strategizing your votes to hurt your opponent as can be done under IRV.

ChaliceChick says:

Specific challenges people of various faiths face when they convert to UUism. (especially liberal Christians. Seems like it's not much of a change. But it is...)

CC

Chris Walton says:

Say more, CC: If you could lead a discussion on the challenges people face when they convert to Unitarian Universalism, what questions would you ask?

Barbara Preuninger says:

We are about to start a "small group ministry" program at our fellowship. I was wondering if anyone had experience with it and what they learned. Or if we could just discuss the concept in general.

Lizard Eater says:

Small group ministry, also called covenant groups ...

I am such in believer in these groups. I have been a member of one covenant group for 5 years, and a couple others for less time.

The one I've been in the longest, one centered around parenting, has shown me how powerful they can be. When one of our member couples had a stillbirth, we pulled around that couple, coordinating casseroles and what-not, and making sure they were getting as much -- or as little -- attention as they wanted.

But perhaps more powerful than situations such as that, is the just day-in-day-out existence of a group. At "checkout," I frequently hear, "I'm so glad I have this group. You keep me sane." Also heard recently, "I like coming to this church, but the covenant groups changed our family's life."

I recommend Bob Hill's book, Covenant Group Ministry: Saving the World Ten at a Time. You can get information on covenant groups from the Southwestern District's website at: http://www.swuuc.org/covenantgroups/index.html and you can get on the small group ministry email newsletter at: http://smallgroupministry.net/cgnews/

Most important thing I've heard about covenant groups: "It's a conversion experience." Once you've experienced a good one, you understand the enthusiasm of others ... in fact, you'll probably be preaching to the unconverted.

ChaliceChick says:

(((If you could lead a discussion on the challenges people face when they convert to Unitarian Universalism, what questions would you ask?)))

Hmm... I'd start with:

1. What was your biggest social/cultural challenge in adapting to UUism?

(CC's answer: Dealing with anti-Christian UUs. Liberal Christians do not tend to come out of Christianity despising it the way Conservative Christians tend to. The nastiness some UUs show toward Christianity is very off-putting.)

2. What theological change was the hardest to get your head around?

(CC's answer: Refining everything through reason. But once I got it, it has been the best change of all.)

3. How do you view your old faith now? (CC's answer: On a bad day, affectionately but with condescension, like it was my high school sweetheart was I was young and silly. On a good day, with respect and fondness, like it was a good and loving parent who raised me well, but with whom I disagree on many important things.)

CC

Chris Walton says:

Wonderful questions! Now before anyone chimes in here, we will take up Chalice Chick's questions in a regular discussion very soon, so please hold off answering until we can get the topic up on the main page. Thanks, everyone!

Jokes Page! says:

Hey, i heard this today ;-)

Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn't seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed.

The other guy takes out his phone and calls the emergency services.
He gasps: "My friend is dead! What can I do?"

The operator says: "Calm down, I can help. First, let's make sure he's dead."

There is a silence, then a gunshot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says: "OK, now what?"

iam_mad4it says:

Coffee, coffee, coffee,
Praise the strength of coffee,
Early in the morn we rise with thoughts of only thee,
Served fresh or reheated,
Dark by thee defeated,
Brewed black by perk or drip or instantly.

Though all else we scoff we
Come to church for coffee;
If we’re late to congregate, we come in time for thee.
Coffee our one ritual,
Drinking it habitual,
Brewed black by perk or drip or instantly.

Coffee the communion
Of our blessed Union.
Symbol of our sacred ground, our one necessity.
Feel the holy power
At our coffee hour,
Brewed black by perk or drip or instantly.