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Notes from Reverend Barbara
Charter for
Compassion (Add your voice!)
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Reverend Barbara Coeyman
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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
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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
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Sermons by Rev. Dr.
Barbara Coeyman
Light and Dark, Dark and Light, December 6, 2009
Expect Life, November 8, 2009
Day
of the Dead: Celebrating Death and Life, November 1, 2009
Becoming a Mission-Centered Church, March 8, 2009
A
Language of Reverence: What's All the Fuss About? February 1,
2009
Reason and Reverence: A New Look at Religious Humanism, October 5,
2008
Making Changes, Going Forward, September 7, 2008

Sermons by Rev. Barry Bloom
The Life of Mary
Margaret Sampson Bloom, May 11, 2008
Liberal Christianity,
January 27, 2008
Theological Diversity,
December 9, 2007
The Wit and Wisdom of
Robert Fulghum, November 7, 2007
The Essence of the
World's Religions, October 7, 2007
Creation
Spirituality for UU's, September 23, 2007
Sacred Activism,
May 13, 2007
The End of Innocence:
A Day of Mourning,
April 22, 2007
UU Women Who Have
Made A Difference, February 25, 2007
The Risk of Love,
February 11, 2007
Learning from
Indigenous Peoples, January 28, 2007
Addiction as a
Spiritual Metaphor, December 10, 2006
Buddhism and
Meditation, November 26, 2006
What Does a Healthy
Congregation Look Like? November 12, 2006
A Memorial Day
Service, May 28, 2006
The Many Forms of
Easter, April 16, 2006
What I Believe About
God, March 12, 2006
The Act of Stillness,
December 4, 2005
Are We Sacred or
Profane?, October 16, 2005
The Current State of
Everything, June 12, 2005
Easter, The Inner
Resurrection, March 27, 2005
What is God? March
13, 2005
Taoism and the I Ching,
February 27, 2005
Meeting
Jesus Again for the First Time, December 19, 2004
The
Desperate Need for Unity, November 14, 2004
Baseball as a Spiritual
Metaphor, May 6, 2004
Renewal and Resurrection,
Easter 2004, April 11, 2004
We Too Can Go
Down the Well, June 22, 2003 |
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OTHER VOICES
Recent
CUUC Sermons by Other Ministers and Lay Speakers:
A Mission Born of Mystery,
Reverend Robert T. Latham, October 4, 2009
Salvation, Cyndi Simpson,
June 14, 2009
Seeing the Pyramid of
Privilege, Margret A. O'Neall, May 3, 2009
In Good Conscience (UU
Principles and Health Care), Sarah Manning, May 4, 2008
Schools, Teachers, and Evolution,
Duncan Hopwood, December 2, 2007
Think Globally, Eat Locally
(References & Links), Tracy Boykin, July 29, 2007.
Sermon on Social Action,
Sarah Manning, May 13, 2007
Social Justice and Change,
Ruth Cowger, February 18, 2007
What Is, Is, Rev. James Dace,
October 22, 2006
Real Wealth: America and
"Affluenza", David Wann, September 3, 2006
The Truth About Truth, The
Rev. Andrea La Sonde Anastos, August 6, 2006
Perils and Promises of Freedom and
Democracy, Rev. James Dace, July 23, 2006
Unitarian Universalism - Dead or
Alive? Rev. James Dace, November 5, 2005
Religion: Curse or Cure or . . .,
Rev. James Dace, November 5, 2005
The Spirit of the New Age , Rev.
James Dace
Part 1 -
August 14, 2005
Part 2 - August 21, 2005
Separation of Church and State:
Notes from A Sermon
by James LaRue
March 6, 2005
What's Going On?, Rev.
James Dace, February 20, 2005
Religion and Pheromones, Robert
Blizard, February 6, 2005
Meaning in Suffering, Marla
Corwin, January 31, 2005
The
Fight of Our Lives, Rev James Dace, October 17, 2004
Fundamentalism:
Faith, Fear & Fury, Rev James Dace
PART I,
- July 25, 2004
PART II, - August 1,
2004
The Evolving God, Rev. James Dace,
March 21, 2004
Innocence Lost, Rev. James Dace,
February 29, 2004
An Advent Message, Rev. Nadine Swahnberg
Novembers Of The Soul, Rev. Nadine Swahnberg
What Child is This?, Rev. Nadine Swahnberg
The God of Jesus, Beth Ratay
Gathered Here: Our Covenantal Bond, Michael Corrigan
My Own Amen Choir, Alicia Forde |
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