Everybody's Birthday Blow-Out--Connections across Generations

Last Saturday, our congre-

gation celebrated the birthdays of every one of us who had ever been born. Yes, we are indeed, a very inclusive bunch. We Unitarian Universalists like to draw circles that bring people in rather than the kind that keep people out.

So, some eighty or so of us, from age 1 to age 86 gathered in the church Social Hall last Saturday night. After a potluck supper, we gathered at twelve tables, seated with those with whom we shared a birth month. (If your birthday is in August or June, we needed you--we had only two people each for those months. Otherwise, we had good-sized groups.) Each table had a cake and cake decorations as well as some instructions on how to proceed. The oldest person at the table put on a birthday hat and became the Wise One. The youngest put on sunglasses, as in... "My future's so bright, I gotta wear shades." Folks arranged themselves in order by the day of the month on which they were born. We sang four different happy birthday songs, decorated our respective cakes, made wishes for our congregation, and then swapped stories about our births and birthday celebrations as we ate LOTS of cake. After talking and eating, we took action. Each table had a puzzle to complete. The March-Borns were clearly gifted puzzle workers. The May-Ites and Septemberians, however, can claim "Most Perseverant." After puzzles, some folks stayed to play games. The "Sequence"competitors got right down to business, no messing around. The "Apples to Apples" bunch showed no signs of quitting at the bewitching hour, so they closed the place down. (How is it that a 7 year-old who does not know the meaning of "Wall Street" tosses that red card in when the green word is "Corruption."?! The serendipity of Apples to Apples!!

Ahhh, Connections--connections with those who share our birth months, with those who were born long before or long after us, with those who gave us life, with those who have found a church family at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church. May Connections abound!

In faithful partnership,
Tandy

"Connections" Commences

For over thirteen years, I have written an article for the church newsletter entitled "REgarding Religious Education." Today I claim a new name--"Connections"-- and a new mode--Blogging. Why the changes?



While those who want to do so can still read my writing in a church newsletter, those who might never have heard of the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church just might find us as well.
We might connect with them through my blog. Also, those in the church who would prefer electronic messages can read my blog and choose to click or not to click on various portions of the message. And, let's hope some trees are saved as we find our way. So, there you go as to why the blog.



But why not keep "REgarding Religious Education?" Why the name change after all these excellent years of learning and growing together?

In part this is because of changes in the larger movement of Unitarian Universalism. Our Association changed "Religious Education" to "Faith Development" some six years or so ago. The intention was to broaden and deepen our understanding of the nature of the growth and learning that happens in congregational life and to move away from a schooling model. I support these changes wholeheartedly.

But why "Connections?' Why not "Faith Developments?" Good question. My short answer is that I hope "Connections" carries less baggage for those who have history with a very
narrow and exclusive meaning of the word "faith." But I'm not just avoiding tough terms.
My broadest view of my work is that I am making connections and helping others make connections. Learning, in its essence, IS the act of making connections--between subject and learner, between what was known and what is now known, among co-learners. But even more that that, my deepest spiritual experiences have brought a sense of Connection...with Truth, with Others, with the Earth. Finally, I believe we humans need community in order to grow religiously and spiritually---we need to know others and be known, to encourage and, yes, challenge each other to live into and up to our highest values and deepest spiritual truths and keep on keeping on together. Congregational life is life in Community--and, even better, life in Multigenerational Community. Our houses of faith are the Keepers of Generational Connections for our times. Where else in our culture do we find people of all ages under one roof for any extended period of time on a regular basis? (How we might better tend the connections between the generations is a topic for another day.)

So, I hope you approve of the new name for my postings. Stay tuned. May connections abound!


In faithful partnership,
Tandy