My candidate speech for Trustee of UUA. Twenty-five years ago, I first found my way into a Unitarian Universalist church. I witnessed and experienced the transforming power of Unitarian Universalism in my life and in the world. The religious odyssey that brought me to this moment overflows with connections, achievements, failures, relationships, epiphanies, disappointments, and moments of boundless grace, all of which will inform my actions as a Trustee of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. As I take the next step on my spiritual journey, serving on the UUA Board, I will make new connections. There will be epiphanies and disappointments. I will form new relationships. I will rejoice in achievements and learn from failures. And throughout it all, there will be moments of boundless grace. I hope and pray that somehow, some way, each of you will be a part of it, for I am not here to represent me, but to be accountable to you. Original speech before I trimmed it while I was already sitting on the stage in plenary hall. Twenty-five years ago, I first found my way into a Unitarian Universalist church, after having spent the preceding decade rejecting the religion of my family and all expressions of faith. In the beloved community of the Long Beach congregation, I rebuilt my faith piece by piece, often through service: RE Teacher, Personnel, Worship, Ministerial Search, Nominations, Annual Canvass, Long Range Planning, AYS and OWL facilitator, Trustee and President. I witnessed and experienced the transforming power of Unitarian Universalism in my life and in the world during my tenure as President of the Pacific Southwest District and co-chair of the UUA Journey Toward Wholeness Transformation Committee. Currently, I am gratefully serving on the Equual Access Policy Committee, creating a certification program for UU congregations engaging in Dis/Ability work. It is a rewarding opportunity for living my faith. The religious odyssey that brought me to this moment overflows with connections, achievements, failures, relationships, epiphanies, disappointments, and moments of boundless grace, all of which will inform my actions as a Trustee of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations. As I take the next step on my spiritual journey, serving on the UUA Board, I will make new connections. There will be epiphanies and disappointments. I will form new relationships. I will rejoice in achievements and learn from failures. And throughout it all, there will be moments of boundless grace. I hope and pray that somehow, some way, each of you will be a part of it, for I am not here to represent me, but to be accountable to you.
Posted on: Sun, 23 Jun 2013 06:45:27 +0000
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