Minister's Musing

Rev. Mark Ward
Unitarian Universalist Church of Asheville

March 2008

We’re entering that time of year among Unitarian Universalists that I think of as cross-pollination season. Each year around this time we have a number of opportunities to travel outside of our individual churches and get to know other UUs and the way other churches do things. There are worship experiences and workshops and many opportunities to get to know others who share our religious perspective. And, as my horticultural metaphor suggests, in these gatherings we give and receive in ways that help us all grow.

This year there are an unusually large number of events, including a big one that this church will play a major role in. For me, the process begins the last week of February when I will be out of town attending a meeting of the Senior Ministers of Large Unitarian Universalist Churches. It’s a great opportunity for me to talk with and learn strategies for church life from some of the most experienced and accomplished ministers in our association.

Just two weeks later I will be among about eight Members of our church attending the 7th National Conference for Large Congregations in the UUA. This conference is held every three years and provides a wonderful way for leaders of large churches to trade notes on the challenges churches face of maintaining their health and vitality as they grow.

Only a week later, on Mar. 22, will be the 6th Annual Gathering of the Western Carolinas Cluster of UU Churches in Spartanburg, SC. These are folks from our neighborhood in Western North Carolina and northern South Carolina, and what an interesting and inspiring group they are! I hope you’ll join me in going. Look at the Spartanburg web site (www.uucs.org) to register.

But even if you can’t make the cluster meeting, be sure to put the weekend of Apr. 25-26 on your calendar. That’s when our church will be hosting the Annual Meeting of the Thomas Jefferson District. Yes, that’s right, right here. It’s the first time we’ve hosted such a conference in a long time and it should be a great event. Keep an eye out for details.

And, finally, consider traveling to Fort Lauderdale, FL, June 23-27 for the UUA General Assembly. This GA will be special for me as I’ll be receiving my final fellowship as a Unitarian Universalist minister.

Whew! That’s a lot, I know, but I’d like to encourage you to try to get to at least one of these inspiring events. It will give you a new perspective on this religious movement and your own religious journey.