This I Believe...
A collection of views from UU church members
A collection of views from UU church members
This I Believe...
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Marge G. - April 2010
This I Believe...
By Marge G.
April 2010
I believe in Unitarian Universalism, but it wasn’t always so.
I went to Kenmore Presbyterian Church with my parents, grandparents and my
brother - though we attended more often than my parents did. Later I learned that my
Dad didn’t like to go to church because he couldn’t hear what was said. What was
the use? In Sunday school class there was talk of “predestination” – something I
thought was just too foolish for anybody to take seriously.
Still, I believed in God through Christian eyes – even thinking that I might be a minister
one day. I told my pastor what I was thinking, expecting him to be supportive.
Seconds later, my world was shattered. He said there were no opportunities for a
woman to be a Presbyterian minister. No explanation, just fact. End of story! I felt so
alone.
Not long after I moved to Niagara Falls to take a teaching job, my friend Chris asked
me to come to this church with her. Almost immediately, I felt comfortable. I was
home. The sanctuary walls now surround me with symbols of the world’s religions
and sermons inspire me to think about great teachers and new ideas. On any given
Sunday, I can be in the company of folks who believe in a liberal religion; I can’t
imagine my life without it, or them. I am not alone anymore…
I believe in Unitarian Universalist principles such as the inherent worth and dignity of
every person. In this place, all are welcomed and supported. Those who have
difficulty walking can use the lift and those who can’t hear can hear more clearly than
they ever imagined. There’s diversity of gender, ethnicity, economic status and
religious thought and just about everything else in between.
Oh! I love to hear the sound of children’s voices and the beat of drums. This is where
I belong.
However I choose to define myself, whoever I am, whoever you are, whatever your
belief, you are not alone anymore.
...And that is what I believe.
By Marge G.
April 2010
I believe in Unitarian Universalism, but it wasn’t always so.
I went to Kenmore Presbyterian Church with my parents, grandparents and my
brother - though we attended more often than my parents did. Later I learned that my
Dad didn’t like to go to church because he couldn’t hear what was said. What was
the use? In Sunday school class there was talk of “predestination” – something I
thought was just too foolish for anybody to take seriously.
Still, I believed in God through Christian eyes – even thinking that I might be a minister
one day. I told my pastor what I was thinking, expecting him to be supportive.
Seconds later, my world was shattered. He said there were no opportunities for a
woman to be a Presbyterian minister. No explanation, just fact. End of story! I felt so
alone.
Not long after I moved to Niagara Falls to take a teaching job, my friend Chris asked
me to come to this church with her. Almost immediately, I felt comfortable. I was
home. The sanctuary walls now surround me with symbols of the world’s religions
and sermons inspire me to think about great teachers and new ideas. On any given
Sunday, I can be in the company of folks who believe in a liberal religion; I can’t
imagine my life without it, or them. I am not alone anymore…
I believe in Unitarian Universalist principles such as the inherent worth and dignity of
every person. In this place, all are welcomed and supported. Those who have
difficulty walking can use the lift and those who can’t hear can hear more clearly than
they ever imagined. There’s diversity of gender, ethnicity, economic status and
religious thought and just about everything else in between.
Oh! I love to hear the sound of children’s voices and the beat of drums. This is where
I belong.
However I choose to define myself, whoever I am, whoever you are, whatever your
belief, you are not alone anymore.
...And that is what I believe.
