CUUC Ministers and Sermons

Notes from Reverend Barbara Charter for Compassion (Add your voice!)

Rev Barbara Coeyman
Reverend Barbara Coeyman

recently attended an event where I heard a Denver-area minister talk about his experience in Haiti, living through the earthquake that shocked that nation on January 12. This minister was there as part of an outreach team from his denomination, who have been sending ministers and seminarians to Haiti on a regular basis for the past decade or so. Stationed near the capital, Port au Prince, this group of missionaries could not have been closer to the epicenter of the quake. The minister described what it was like.

His group heard the threatening sounds of the earth about to rupture. They felt the shaking. They smelled the nearby ocean, its churning waters forecasting the imminent disaster. They saw Haitian residents running out of buildings, and they joined the general movement of people running to higher ground, as thoughts of another tsunami raced through their minds. Against advice, some in the clergy group stole back to their hotel, to confirm that everyone in their party had safely escaped the building.

Fortunately, none in this party was injured, although much of their personal effects were ruined. Unfortunately, there were casualties among the spiritual leaders, both Haitian and foreign. For example, among the United Methodists, two American leaders, the head of the Committee on Relief and the head of missionary volunteers, died. A Haitian Baptist minister in Port au Prince lost his life. Short of fatal blows, much was destroyed. the Episcopal Cathedral in Port au Prince, for instance, crumbled. Its congregation moved into tents in surrounding areas. One observer estimates that at least one hundred churches were affected in some way or other by the quake.

Through this horrible tragedy, the Denver minister and his group reported stories of great heroism, bravery, compassion, and most of all, hope. For one, their Haitian hosts focused first on these American visitors, wanting to assure and insure their safety even though many of them were experiencing direct endangerment to their own homes and families. The Americans of course pitched in immediately on relief efforts, and were awed by the bravery of the Haitians. One story tells of how they did not stop singing, as recovery went on around them; singing to a great spirit that they prayed would save the lives of those still buried, a spirit that would ward off future shocks to the earth. Their bravery and hope made it especially perplexing, to understand why a few loud, conservative voices would issue statements such as the notion that the Haitians brought the quake on themselves as divine punishment for unacceptable life styles. Echoes of equally vengeful criticism of Hurricane Katrina was said to be punishment on New Orleans for its supposed wayward culture. Yes, many around the world have asked, why did this happen? Why was this culturally poor nation strapped with yet more challenges from Mother Nature? Explanations of divine retribution are not acceptable.

The American missionary group finally made it out of Haiti about a week after the quake struck by commandeering several small boats and sailing, perhaps more like floating, to neighboring Dominican Republic, where they found flights back to the United States. At this recent talk, the Denver minister told of how his group will return to help with relief. They will also continue their on-going work of helping their Haitian neighbors work for improved physical and spiritual life. His group will be putting out calls for work parties to join his clergy team as they move forward with relief efforts.

The quake certainly was a reminder to persons of faith all around the world about the fragility of this planet, and the realities of how deeply connected we all are. All of us, as persons of faith, are called to support our neighbors, no matter how near or far away. Indeed, our Unitarian Universalist Association, through the generosity of its members like you, the members and friends of CUUC, donating to our January Split the Plate offering, has been quick and active in demonstrating support to Haiti. The UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee) quickly spearheaded collection efforts. As of February 19, the UUSC and UUA collected a total of $1,129,000 for Haitian relief. UUSC representatives continue to visit on site in Haiti. Both in Haiti and here at home, we are called to advocate for changes in policies and procedures in Haiti and areas of the world where sub-standard building practices and evacuation procedures contribute to the loss of life.

Reports are that some semblance of ‘normal’ life is returning to Haiti. After such devastation, of course, life can never be normal again for those who survived. As in New Orleans and in other areas of this planet affected by natural disasters, repair work goes on. May our UU seventh principle on the interconnectedness of all life remind us all to remember to reach out to our sisters and brothers around the world, a world whose power and fragility we have most recently been reminded of.

I hope to see each of you in church in the coming weeks and months.

Reverend Barbara

September: Covenant
October: Trust
November: Mystery
December: Darkness
January: Hope
February: Compassion

March: Gratitude
April: Rebirth
May: Appreciation
June: Self-acceptance
July: to be announced
August: to be announced

Notes from Reverend Barbara

Articulating Your UU Faith — March 8 and 29: This class is sponsored by the membership committee to follow the Pathways to Membership class. The goal is to help you explain Unitarian Universalism clearly to yourself and to others by learning more about our history, theology, and organization. Any ‘seasoned’ members wanting a refresher in basic of Unitarian Universalism are also welcome, as are visitors wanting to learn more before taking Pathways to Membership. The class is in two sessions, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. For more information, please contact me. Please, advance registration requested, by calling the office by Friday March 5. Please indicate if you require childcare.

Lenten Suppers and Vespers (evening services) - During Lent, come attend short (25 minute) Wednesday evening meditation services at 6:00pm, followed by a soup-and-salad supper starting at 6:30pm. Supper will conclude in time for regular Wednesday evening activities such as choir, book group, etc. Lent Suppers and Service will be every other week, from February 17 (Ash Wednesday), and will include March 3, 17, and 31. See weekly E-Blast for specific notes about service leadership. Service leaders are sought and welcome. See Reverend Barbara if you are interested in leading a vespers service.

Build Your Own Theology -- While we’re on the subject of adult education classes, I will also be offering another round of ‘Build Your Own Theology’ for five sessions on Monday evenings in April and May, probably on these dates: April 12, 26; May 3, 10, and 17. This curriculum, written by Reverend Richard Gilbert, helps each of us discern our own personal theological orientation(s), the core feature of this free way of doing religion. Stay tuned for more information and specific dates about the course.

Child and Youth Dedications - Our next dedication ceremony will be Sunday May 9 which is also Mother’s Day. This ceremony represents the commitment from the free religious community to its children before they reach the age to declare membership in a congregation themselves. Dedication ceremonies are also naming ceremonies: a chance to celebrate the unique identity of each of our children. If you are a member in good standing and wish to know more, please contact me. Deadline to sign up for the May ceremony is May 1.

- Reverend Barbara Coeyman

Minister Hours (call the office to schedule):

Wednesday: 6 – 8 pm
Thursday: Noon – 2 pm
And by appointment
Day Off: Fridays

Sermons by Reverend Dr. Barbara Coeyman
Notes from Reverend Barbara

Columbine Unitarian-Universalist Church,
6724 S. Webster St.,
Littleton, CO 80128,
303-972-1716.
E-mail Contact

Charter for Compassion:
A call to Bring the world together ...

The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honour the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.

It is also necessary in both public and private life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain. To act or speak violently out of spite, chauvinism, or self-interest, to impoverish, exploit or deny basic rights to anybody, and to incite hatred by denigrating others—even our enemies—is a denial of our common humanity. We acknowledge that we have failed to live compassionately and that some have even increased the sum of human misery in the name of religion.

We therefore call upon all men and women ~ to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion ~ to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate ~ to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures ~ to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity ~ to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings—even those regarded as enemies.

We urgently need to make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world. Rooted in a principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious boundaries. Born of our deep interdependence, compassion is essential to human relationships and to a fulfilled humanity. It is the path to enlightenment, and indispensible to the creation of a just economy and a peaceful global community.

Add your voice: www.charterforcompassion.org