Didn't have to wait long for another post, huh? Nope. I'm in the mood, lonely, and nobody to talk to - so there ya go. This week at Meadville Unitarian Universalist Seminary, in Chicago, has been an experience. It has not been as emotionally disturbing, faith changing as my experiences at Sancta Sophia...but give them time. Coming to Chicago, staying in an apartment I have never seen before, learning to negotiate the public transit system, and be totally alone in a city the size of Chicago...has been humbling. On the whole - it's been great! The first full week - it was 60 degrees...these last few days? Snow and single digits with wind chill. There is nothing like the wind chill off of Lake Michigan in Chicago. When you come around the corner at Harrison and Michigan...it can almost take you off your feet. Losing the feeling in your hands, happens in just moments. I'll be back in March, July and September...I'll let you know if there is wind chill or heat index.
What I found is that I don't gain any energy from church structure. In fact, it exhausts me. Thank God for Jules knowing corporate politics...she coaches me..."stay quiet, doodle, look up and smile". I don't care if UU expands. I don't. I have my own spiritual path and I hope to influence others in their spiritual path...but it doesn't need to be in UU terms, not at all. I hate politics and it totally annoys me to have someone inflict it on my spirituality. And dear God - they are SO intellectual! and diverse, which is good, right? Except for all the humanists, atheists, and "recovering" everything, so that everything you say is controversial. You can't pray or mention God, and certainly not Jesus!
and yet...they are totally pluralistic...meaning, they include all LGBT, all races, cultures, and lifestyles...and they mean it! I'm guessing that 1/3-1/2 of the student population is gay. All I can tell you is how fabulous that is. To see many expressions of gay people being intelligent, strong, thoughtful and powerful! it is just inspiring! I can't tell you how huge this is...and I'm not sure I can give it up...no matter how wierd some of the other stuff they do is.
For instance - they have no passion. Ok - that's not true. Most of them believe in social justice, in a very passionate way...and act out that passion in very practical, concrete ways. They do lots and lots of good things for the disenfranchised communities and are totally committed to that path. But passion in their spirituality? In their church services or music? not. When you have to be so careful not to offend ANYBODY...well, it dilutes the Spirit, ya know?
Can I be involved in a church and seminary that doesn't imbibe the Spirit? I am here for an MDiv. I am here for an MDiv. It's my new mantra. It's going to be hard. Really hard. I remember the question being asked at Sancta Sophia..."What does it mean to worship a God who was crucified?" Well, UU's don't really have a God, so they don't have to answer that difficult question. But they also don't experience bliss in their church services, or their music, or in a god...at least that I have seen. Let's just hope I haven't seen enough yet.
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