Minister's Musing

Rev. Mark Ward
Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville

November 2009

It’s been illuminating to me – and I hope to you, too – to spend some time in worship this fall reflecting on how we relate to the key values that this congregation has identified as central to its mission in this community and the larger world. As you recall, that mission, approved last June, states that “we nurture individual search for meaning as we work in community for freedom, justice and love.” In September I explored some of the dimensions of “freedom”; in October, “justice”; and in November we’ll look at “love.” In December I’ll focus on “community.” This is important work because it helps us hone our sense of why this church exists and what it is here to do.

Five and a half years ago when I was in search, I received a packet of materials from this church that included a questionnaire completed by the Search Committee. Among the questions, was one asking if the congregation had “a mission – not a mission statement, but a glowing coal at its center” and what that might be. The committee responded that when this question was raised in focus groups no collective “coal” could be identified. But the committee added that in its work it discerned “an indefinable something” in the congregation, “a spirit, an energy, a hope evidenced by a deep sense of caring that connects us and opens our hearts to the world around us.”

Since coming, I have reflected often on that statement and what it means for us. I think it’s true: there is a warm, vital spirit and a deep sense of caring running throughout this congregation. And yet, I want to challenge us to go further. I want us to be able claim in clear, persuasive terms a mission and purpose in the world that will guide all that we do. Our mission statement provides a good framework to do that work, but it’s only a beginning, and the fact that it was approved by only a bare majority at the annual meeting tells me that many of us have not bought into it or are unclear on what it means.

I have raised this point with the Board of Trustees, and I know that at least one covenant group has made the question of the church’s “glowing coal” a focus of its discussions. I’d like to invite more of you into the conversation. What is that center of warmth and light that you find here, and what must we do to feed it, to serve it, to help it grow? What are we doing well? What do we need to start doing, and what do we need to stop doing to accomplish this?

Midway through our 60th year is a good time to devote some energy to these questions. I welcome any responses that you would like to send me, but even better I’d love to see us raise them in every forum and gathering place that is a part of this community. It is a good time to be a part of this congregation. How might we solidify and strengthen this church to be the voice, the presence, the advocate for liberal religion that Asheville needs for the next 60 years and beyond?