Hi Family,

Happy June!  For those of you graduating, reporting for active duty in one of the armed services, starting a new job or moving to a new home, congratulations.  And for those you who had to drop out of school, are unemployed, underemployed or have given up trying to be employed, I pray that you have a supportive community who will love you through this economically challenging time.

When I do not attend Sunday morning services, I usually spend an hour or so reading my favorite UU theologian, James Luther Adams(JLA).  This past Sunday I read an essay titled “The Chief End of Human Existence.”  The section of the essay that I really resonated with focused on isolation and its effects on people in community.  Not isolation in the sense of being physically alone.  JLA refers to isolation with “other people with whom one enjoys nothing significant in common.”  That is the type of isolation that causes some people to feel totally alone in the world even when they are surrounded by others.  A loneliness that is difficult for one to understand and challenging to explain to others, especially family members.

During the next few weeks, I want you to think about what is significant to you. What holds meaning for you in your life?  For example, religion, spirituality, friends, family, faith community, a special place in your neighborhood?

As always I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.

Love,

Rev. Monica

Hello Family,

Growing up, I was afraid of vampires.  As the youngest sibling of four, I usually had to watch TV shows my older siblings wanted to watch.  Most of the shows I enjoyed, however, there was one that caused nightmares: Dark Shadows.  I can still remember the creepy lead character, Barnabas Collins, and how he manipulated people so he could drink their blood to stay alive.  I can also still remember my older brothers waiting for me to get in bed after the show, creeping into my bedroom and scaring me before being scolded by my parents.

With age and watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I was able to overcome my fear of vampires.  I wish there was a TV show or movie that could help me recover from my dread of going to the dentist.  When I go to the dentist, I have similar feelings like those I experience while watching Barnabas Collins bite the neck of his latest victim.  I want to cover my eyes to avoid witnessing what is happening.

We all have things that we fear.  We all have things that we resist.  It is how we deal with our fears and the things that we resist that impact our ability to be healthy emotional and spiritual beings.  What are some of the things you fear?  What are some of the things you resist?  How do you deal with your fears?

How do I deal with my fears and the things I resist?  I try to embrace them.  For example, I communicate to my dentist and his staff how difficult it is for me to show up for my appointment every six months.  In fact, I have a dental appointment in an hour and I will show-up.  Sure, I will be full of anxiety and tension.  However, I know that after my appointment, my self-confidence will be high and I will have one more experience to build on of facing that which causes me dread.  Because each time I face my fears or things I resist, I gain more self-confidence and the faith of experience to know that what does not kill me will make me stronger and emotionally and spiritually healthier.  And that is my wish for all of you.

As always I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.

Love,

Rev. Monica

Hello Family,

My head is spinning from all that has happened since my February newsletter column.  I attended retreats for UU Military Chaplains, UU Religious Professionals of Color and the Youth Ministry Advisory Committee.  All three of the above mentioned groups advocate for and support UUs who are marginalized either within Unitarian Universalism and/or in the U.S.

One of the many reasons I am a UU and love Unitarian Universalism is the support and voice that is given to people who are oppressed and marginalized by U.S. culture.  By now most of you have heard about Trayvon Martin, who was killed as he walked to the home where he was staying after shopping at a nearby store.  The person who shot Trayvon said he looked suspicious.  In other words, Trayvon looked like he did not belong.

One of the common stories shared by people who are marginalized or oppressed is that they are made to feel like they do not belong.  This message is sometimes communicated with a question such as “Are you lost” or action such as following the person perceived as not belonging.  The message “You are different” can be communicated by simply ignoring someone or denying that you notice differences in appearance, gender expression, ability, perceived sexual orientation, age or race/ethnicity.

Our sixth Unitarian Universalist Principle calls us to affirm and promote “The goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all.”  I encourage each of you to answer the following questions.  How can our sixth UU Principle be practiced in youth and young adult communities?  Is the culture of your youth and young adult community one that judges people on appearance, gender expression, age, race/ethnicity or perceived sexual orientation or ability?  Is the culture of your youth or young adult community a place where people are free to bring all of their identities without fear of feeling different?  If your answer is “I do not know” or “No” to any of the above questions, I encourage you to explore ways to change the culture of your community so it is a reflection of our UU Principles.

As always, I would love to hear from you.  You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic at http://uuyayaoc.blogs.uua.org/.

I Love You,

Rev. Monica