Widening Our Spiritual Horizons Through Diversity
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to First Unitarian Church of Rochester, where our mission is to foster spiritual connection in community, listen deeply, open to wonder and transformation, and serve with love and humility. Today, we acknowledge the Seneca Nation, the keepers of the Western Door, and honor their ancestral lands. Our theme for July and August is "widening," encouraging us to expand our spiritual horizons and understandings. As Unitarian Universalists, we embrace a diversity of spiritual paths, recognizing that there isn't just one right way to seek the divine or understand the universe. This pluralistic approach allows us to build deeper connections within our community, even as we hold different beliefs and practices.
We are committed to deepening our spiritual lives through various programs, such as our adult spiritual development program, which offers a range of groups, classes, and activities. These programs are designed to help us go deeper in our own spirituality while engaging with others on their spiritual journeys. From small groups in Soul Matters to intensive courses like UU Wellspring, there is something for everyone to explore and deepen their spiritual practice.
Our community is held together not by a shared commitment to a particular path or name for God but by shared values and covenantal commitments. This diversity enriches us, allowing us to learn from each other and grow in our understanding of what is possible and meaningful in different spiritualities. We believe that diversity is good for us, for our community, and for society as a whole.
However, there is a legitimate concern that this pluralism might lead to shallowness. We must ensure that our engagement with diverse spiritual paths goes beyond merely learning interesting facts. By deepening our relationships with others in our community, we can achieve both breadth and depth in our spiritual lives. This approach helps us avoid the theological error of confusing the path with the mountaintop, recognizing that different practices and languages are ways to explore the abiding mystery or ultimate truth.
In conclusion, our spiritual practice of going wide helps us appreciate the rich religious heritage of humanity without flattening it into a single narrative. We must remember that we are fallible humans, always interpreting our experiences through our own contexts. By journeying together, sharing our stories, and writing new ones, we can go ever deeper and ever wider, united by our commitment to love and justice.
### Key Takeaways
1. Embracing Diversity in Spiritual Paths: Unitarian Universalism encourages us to widen our spiritual horizons by embracing a diversity of spiritual paths. This pluralistic approach allows us to build deeper connections within our community, even as we hold different beliefs and practices. This diversity enriches us, allowing us to learn from each other and grow in our understanding of what is possible and meaningful in different spiritualities. [37:32]
2. Depth in Pluralism: There is a legitimate concern that pluralism might lead to shallowness. However, by deepening our relationships with others in our community, we can achieve both breadth and depth in our spiritual lives. This approach helps us avoid the theological error of confusing the path with the mountaintop, recognizing that different practices and languages are ways to explore the abiding mystery or ultimate truth. [40:11]
3. Community and Spiritual Growth: Our community is held together not by a shared commitment to a particular path or name for God but by shared values and covenantal commitments. This allows us to learn from each other and grow in our understanding of what is possible and meaningful in different spiritualities. We believe that diversity is good for us, for our community, and for society as a whole. [41:03]
4. Programs for Spiritual Development: Our adult spiritual development program offers a range of groups, classes, and activities designed to help us go deeper in our own spirituality while engaging with others on their spiritual journeys. From small groups in Soul Matters to intensive courses like UU Wellspring, there is something for everyone to explore and deepen their spiritual practice. [41:42]
5. Avoiding Theological Errors: By practicing wide spirituality, we can avoid the common theological error of confusing the path with the mountaintop. This helps us better understand what parts of our spiritual practices are paths and what parts are closer to the ultimate truth. We must remember that we are fallible humans, always interpreting our experiences through our own contexts. [01:16:47]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[16:46] - Pastoral Care and Announcements
[17:27] - Camp Unirondack and Volunteering
[18:22] - Acknowledging the Seneca Nation
[28:22] - Time for All Ages
[37:32] - Embracing Diversity in Spiritual Paths
[38:34] - Building Spiritual Connections
[39:24] - Theological Commitments
[40:11] - Depth in Pluralism
[41:03] - Community and Spiritual Growth
[41:42] - Programs for Spiritual Development
[42:23] - Exploring Diverse Spiritual Paths
[43:03] - Reflections from Church Members
[51:39] - Meditation and Prayer
[53:17] - Prayer for Peace and Justice
[55:09] - Ritual of Community Care
[57:21] - Closing Hymn and Blessing
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Romans 12:4-5 (NIV): "For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
2. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 (NIV): "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many."
3. Ephesians 4:2-3 (NIV): "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
### Observation Questions
1. According to Romans 12:4-5, how does Paul describe the relationship between the members of the body of Christ?
2. In 1 Corinthians 12:12-14, what analogy does Paul use to describe the unity and diversity within the body of Christ?
3. What qualities does Ephesians 4:2-3 suggest are necessary to maintain unity within the community?
4. How does the sermon describe the importance of diversity within the Unitarian Universalist community? ([39:24])
### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the analogy of the body in Romans 12:4-5 and 1 Corinthians 12:12-14 help us understand the value of diversity in a spiritual community?
2. What might be some challenges of maintaining unity in a diverse community, as suggested by Ephesians 4:2-3?
3. The sermon mentions a concern about pluralism leading to shallowness. How can deepening relationships within the community help address this concern? ([40:11])
4. How does the concept of "widening" our spiritual horizons, as discussed in the sermon, align with the idea of being one body with many parts? ([37:32])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt enriched by someone else's spiritual path. How did this experience help you grow in your own spirituality? ([39:24])
2. The sermon emphasizes the importance of deepening relationships to avoid shallowness in pluralism. What practical steps can you take to build deeper connections within your spiritual community? ([40:11])
3. How can you contribute to maintaining unity in your community while embracing its diversity, as suggested by Ephesians 4:2-3? ([41:03])
4. The sermon encourages participation in various spiritual development programs. Which program or activity could you join to deepen your spiritual practice, and why? ([41:42])
5. Think about a specific spiritual practice from another tradition that you find intriguing. How might you explore this practice in a way that enriches your own spiritual journey? ([42:23])
6. How can you ensure that your engagement with diverse spiritual paths goes beyond merely learning interesting facts and leads to meaningful spiritual growth? ([40:11])
7. Reflect on the idea of not confusing the path with the mountaintop. How can you discern which aspects of your spiritual practice are paths and which are closer to the ultimate truth? ([01:16:47])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Diverse Spiritual Paths
Our spiritual journey is enriched by embracing a diversity of spiritual paths. Unitarian Universalism encourages us to widen our spiritual horizons, recognizing that there isn't just one right way to seek the divine or understand the universe. This pluralistic approach allows us to build deeper connections within our community, even as we hold different beliefs and practices. By learning from each other, we grow in our understanding of what is possible and meaningful in different spiritualities. This diversity is not just beneficial for our personal growth but also for the health and vibrancy of our community and society as a whole. [37:32]
Romans 12:4-5 (ESV): "For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another."
Reflection: Think of a spiritual practice or belief from another tradition that you find intriguing. How can you incorporate an element of this practice into your own spiritual life this week?
Day 2: Depth in Pluralism
While embracing a variety of spiritual paths, there is a legitimate concern that this pluralism might lead to shallowness. However, by deepening our relationships with others in our community, we can achieve both breadth and depth in our spiritual lives. This approach helps us avoid the theological error of confusing the path with the mountaintop, recognizing that different practices and languages are ways to explore the abiding mystery or ultimate truth. By engaging deeply with diverse spiritual paths, we can enrich our own spiritual journey and foster a more profound understanding of the divine. [40:11]
Ephesians 4:14-15 (ESV): "So that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt spiritually shallow. What steps can you take to deepen your spiritual practice and relationships within your community?
Day 3: Community and Spiritual Growth
Our community is held together not by a shared commitment to a particular path or name for God but by shared values and covenantal commitments. This allows us to learn from each other and grow in our understanding of what is possible and meaningful in different spiritualities. We believe that diversity is good for us, for our community, and for society as a whole. By fostering a community based on shared values and mutual respect, we create a space where everyone can explore their spirituality freely and deeply. [41:03]
1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (ESV): "For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit."
Reflection: Consider the shared values that hold your community together. How can you contribute to fostering a deeper sense of connection and mutual respect within your community?
Day 4: Programs for Spiritual Development
Our adult spiritual development program offers a range of groups, classes, and activities designed to help us go deeper in our own spirituality while engaging with others on their spiritual journeys. From small groups in Soul Matters to intensive courses like UU Wellspring, there is something for everyone to explore and deepen their spiritual practice. These programs provide opportunities for personal growth and communal engagement, helping us to build a more vibrant and spiritually rich community. [41:42]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: Think about a spiritual development program or group you have been part of or would like to join. How can you actively participate and contribute to the spiritual growth of yourself and others in this setting?
Day 5: Avoiding Theological Errors
By practicing wide spirituality, we can avoid the common theological error of confusing the path with the mountaintop. This helps us better understand what parts of our spiritual practices are paths and what parts are closer to the ultimate truth. We must remember that we are fallible humans, always interpreting our experiences through our own contexts. By journeying together, sharing our stories, and writing new ones, we can go ever deeper and ever wider, united by our commitment to love and justice. [01:16:47]
Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV): "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you may have confused a spiritual practice with the ultimate truth. How can you remain open to the mystery of the divine while staying grounded in your spiritual journey?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "One of the things that I love most about being a Unitarian Universalist is that we aren't a tradition that says there's only one right path up the mountain. We aren't even a tradition that says there are many paths, but we like this one in particular, and we're just going to focus on this path." [37:32] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "When you deepen your relationships with others in a Unitarian Universalist church, with others who almost certainly have different religious beliefs and practices, whether to a great degree or to a just very minor and slight variation, you widen your understanding of what is possible and meaningful in different people's spiritualities, including your own." [40:11] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "We don't have to share the same theology to go deep together. I think of the legendary spiritual friendship between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, both very disciplined and experienced practitioners deep in their specific paths, but they're also both so close to the mountaintop that they see each other as having more in common than not." [01:18:05] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Beloveds, may you be blessed on your own spiritual path and find the spiritual friends to journey together. Going wide, going deep, and bringing always more love and justice into the world. May it be so. Go in peace." [01:21:37] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Our theme for July and August here at First Unitarian is widening. And as Unitarian Universalists, like the people in Pandy's story, we are ever encouraged to widen our spiritual horizons and understandings. Not so much by just learning facts and details about various religions, as you might in a religious studies class in a school setting, but more by building spiritual connections in a community that doesn't prescribe a one-size-fits-all answer to religion or spirituality." [38:34] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "We don't expect you as a church, the church does not expect you to do any of this on your own. The widening horizons, the spiritual depth, the connecting in community. So, where an exclusively Christian church might have something like a midweek Bible study to, yes, study the Bible, but also get people together in community, we here at First Unitarian have our adult spiritual development program." [41:03] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "If you're already participating in one of our programs, but you're wondering what my encouragement to level up is, why not go wider and check out a new program that you don't normally engage in? It doesn't have to be a commitment, but you can dip your toe in and broaden your horizons. Or go deeper into UU theology and practice with UU Wellspring." [01:15:49] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Basically, what I'm trying to say is that I can neither accept the idea that all religious paths are ultimately the same and in the same place, that they're different flavors of the same basic thing, but neither can I accept the idea that different religious paths have absolutely nothing to do with each other, nothing to say one another. They're completely incompatible systems and it's inappropriate to try any kind of translation or communication between them." [01:20:31] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "The truth is, as I think with most things, it's somewhere in between, which is why I love being a Unitarian Universalist because I'm constantly in community and in conversation with people on a variety of paths, weaving threads of truth and understanding from various sources, learning about what's meaningful and impactful in each spiritual life and appreciating what is important and meaningful in those of others, yet all united by an agreement that there's no one-size-fits-all religion and that the greatest blessings can be found in journeying together." [01:20:52] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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