President’s Report – January 2011

Happy New Year… What does that mean to you in 2011?

As I reflect on the past year, and the beginning of a new one, I wonder what a Happy New Year means. I am convinced that we are masters of our own happiness and well being. After more than half century on this planet, one of the most important things I have learned is that we are each responsible for our own fulfillment, and we benefit by being aware, thoughtful, and intentional in defining and pursuing it. Though the path is different for each of us, it is natural to seek out those with like-minded values and principles. I was attracted to the values and principles of our church in a Winnipeg Free Press article twenty years ago. What caught my eye was the children were celebrating the holy days of major world religions in their Religious Education classes and I thought, wow, that’s the kind of aware, respectful, and intentional religious education I would like for my kids…and me.

In December, the children of our congregation treated us to yet another fabulous Sunday service celebrating the diversity of world religions. This one featured four important “festivals” or “holy days” in which lights figure predominantly. The “Festivals of Lights” service included Diwali - the important five-day festival in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism; the Winter Solstice – marking the day of the year with the least hours of daylight; Hanukah – the 8 day Jewish celebration of candles, and Christmas – honouring the birth of baby Jesus under a star-lit night. What a wonderful way to celebrate the rich traditions of this time of year and, at the same time, help our children to better understand and appreciate the differences and similarities of the many diverse faiths around the globe. Near the end of the service, the youth encouraged us to think about how we let our light shine.

How do you contribute to yours and others’ happiness and well-being? What is it that attracts you to certain individuals and groups? What are the values and principles that speak to your?

For those not familiar with our liberal denomination, let me share the values and principles that struck a chord with me over 20 years ago and continue to light my life.

There are seven principles that Unitarian Universalist congregations affirm and promote:

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

Unitarian Universalism (UU) draws from many sources:

• Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life;
• Words and deeds of prophetic women and men which challenge us to confront powers and structures of evil with justice, compassion, and the transforming power of love;
• Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life;
• Jewish and Christian teachings which call us to respond to God's love by loving our neighbors as ourselves;
• Humanist teachings which counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science, and warn us against idolatries of the mind and spirit.
• Spiritual teachings of earth-centered traditions which celebrate the sacred circle of life and instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature.

These principles and sources of faith are the backbone of our religious community. I look forward to the shared efforts of like minds as we let our light shine in 2011. Please check out our web site for more information. http://uuwinnipeg.mb.ca/

Happy Holy Days and all the best in the New Year.

In Faith, Craig Edwards