Resurrection, Liberation...Remembering...

Resurrection...Liberation...Spring. This time of year is overlaid with powerful Jewish, Christian and pagan symbolism; the concepts of new life, resurrection, renewal and liberation offer so much to remember and contemplate. How do we want to renew and re-make our lives in new ways? What can we take from the life of Jesus and the symbolism of death and resurrection? We can explore the ideas of new life and growth, of “resurrecting” elements of our lives. And how does the significance of Passover and liberation relate to our lives today as Unitarian Universalists? This is a month rich with symbolism and opportunities to reflect on our lives and the life of our faith community.

There are elements of this time of year that are close to my heart - the image of Jesus on his knees, washing the feet of his disciples in a humble and powerful act... imagining a group of people sitting intimately around a table sharing a last meal, knowing there is much work to be done to transform the world they live in, but believing they are not alone in this work. They formed a close community based on faith. South Valley UU Society is also a community of faith, and a vital center of power and liberation in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Themes of new life and growth, of liberation flow through this month. We can all see and celebrate the flowers and grasses coming up through the warming ground and the snow melting faster. There is a quickening in the air, a renewed sense of freedom as we all prepare to welcome spring. There is the energy of freedom that comes from remembering the Exodus and the liberation it represented. We can imagine what in our lives do we need or want to resurrect, to breathe new life into or to liberate!

Our theme at South Valley for April is Remembering. There is so much to remember. I remember when I first drove into Salt Lake City across the long, brilliant expanse of the salt flats last July, and slowly began to get my bearings in this new place. I remember when I first walked into this sanctuary and saw the beautiful vaulted wooden ceiling and the brilliant blue chairs. I remember when I first preached here about “going down the unknown path” and the gratitude I felt at being welcomed into this religious community and seeing your faces looking back at me. I have been working with a group of people at South Valley using movement and personal reflections to create community, connection and learning. We have explored the following statements: “I Am…, I Come From…, I Believe…, and I Remember When…” and the reflections that have been shared have been grounded in spiritual and physical life and are beautiful! The work has left me feeling heartened by the intimacy that can be created simply when people are given an opportunity to share the experiences that have formed who they are. This is the work of a faith community! This is where transformation occurs – when we share with each other where we have come from, who we are and what we believe. This is sacred work. Thank you to each one of you who comes through our doors every week with an openness to learning and remembering, being and becoming.

A Chalice Lighting by Reverend Dillman Baker Sorrells
For Easter and Passover

“For holy days on which we recall the old stories, we light the flame.

For Passover which reminds us of the courage and strength of those seeking freedom in the past, we light the flame.

For Easter which reminds us that love is our greatest challenge, we light the flame.

For gathering today in this sacred space, we light the flame.

For the opportunity to be together as a community, to remember the past, to plan for our future, to be alive in our present.”