A sermon delivered byRev. Rudi Gelsey,minister, at theUnitarian Universalist Congregation of the New River Valley,February 18, 1996
Three weeks ago, in Buffalo I gave the eulogy for Sigi deNeuf Ville, a life-long Unitarian, massage therapist, formerparishioner and dear friend of ours for some 13 years. Sigibelieved in angels, past and future lives, practicedyoga. Akin to the Sufi poet Jelaludin Rumi who called theday of his death his wedding night, Sigi saw her transitionas passing into the divine light.
I share this because Sigi was accepted and loved as a NewAge person in a congregation that was only minimally NewAge. According to a recent survey, the theological profileof the Buffalo church read: 56% agnostics, atheists,humanists; 41% Christians or theists; the rest: other. Sigiwas part of the "other".
Such diversity is a trademark in UUcongregations. Percentages vary, but a colorful rainbow ofmany-splendored beliefs exists as well in our own ranks asshown by the recent survey conducted by grades 5-6 of ourSunday school. We put no premium on conformity. We don'thave to believe alike, to love and care alike.
When a recent Christiansburg display proclaimed "DiversityEnriches," some zealots deemed this offensive. The messagewas hastily yanked from public view. Intolerance triumphed.
In a world according to Hitler, the media, the arts,religion, are all pressed into sameness. people deviatingfrom the norm, are to be liquidated, just as for centuries,unbelievers or believers in a different faith used to beconsigned to death, exile or hell. The recent atrocitiesamong Serbs, Croats and Bosnians is the latest episode ofintolerance run amok.
Most western religions still have a creedal litmus test. Ifyou dare venture beyond the conventional, like the exclusivedivinity of Jesus and the infallibility of Pope or Bible,you keep it to yourself, in a closet, fearful of being castout as a heretic.
By contrast, according to one of our Unitarian ancestors,William Ellery Channing, no one could be excommunicated saveby the death of goodness in their heart. Universalistsaffirmed universal salvation rather than threateninghellfire.
Freedom to believe is a cornerstone of our faith. anindividual conscience is not to be compelled. Beware ofattaching labels like outsiders or troublemakers toconstituencies that develop as subgroups. They are perfectlylegit!
Womanspirit and CUUPS brings together UU Pagans; UU gays andlesbians gather in Interweave. We have UnitarianUniversalist Christian groups that offercommunion. Unitarian Universalists for Jewish awareness cometogether for Seder to celebrate their Jewish roots. The listgoes on.
The melting pot is not our thing. We rejoice in diversityand in the practice of mutual respect. Why then do we see sofew African Americans, Latinos or people of Orientalancestry in our midst? Just to raise the question makes ussquirm.
Are we accomplices, perchance, when Sunday morning worshipis characterized as the most segregated hour of the week?Inasmuch as we have a firm commitment to theologicaldiversity, why are we so ineffective, when it comes to beinga community church that reflects different races andclasses?
Why should Ebony, Jade and Ivory be less of a common groundthan the cross, The star of David, the lotus flower and theflaming chalice that co-exist rather harmoniously in ourmidst? Are we hesitant when it comes to let Ebony and Jadedisplay their radiant beauty?
Traditionally, the dominant white culture expected others toadapt to what was deemed our superior civilization. Thisconjures up the specter of racism.
One explanation seeks to let us off the hook: AfricanAmericans are surrounded by white society all week long. OnSunday morning they may want to be among themselves, havenobody looking over their shoulders.
There is an element of truth in that. However, in mypersonal experience with black members and friends incongregations I served, I found that by and large theyjoined a Unitarian Universalist church for the same reasonswhite folks do: to find a religious community and spiritualhome, where they are safe from indoctrination and aliteralism they have outgrown.
Just as men enjoy men's groups and women, women's circles,gays and lesbians, Pagans and Christians have sometimesformed their own subgroup. African Americans have the sameprivilege without running the risk of being calledseparatists or racists in reverse.
In the lighter vein of a culinary metaphor, aren't wefortunate that we are not limited to bleached Wonderbread,can savor French croissants, C'est si bon; bagels with lox,Sehr gut; pitta with hummus, Assalam aleikum. Our new UUhymnal is enriched by spirituals and by lift every voice andsing.
In my own experience and according to the UUA office ofracial and cultural diversity, there are several factorsthat make for a healthy integrated congregation. Minoritiesneed to know, through our attitude and actions, that we arecommitted to their equality and to their struggle, which isalso our struggle, that we respect them as individuals,cherish them as friends, include them socially. When I thinkof beneficial diversity, I do not limit myself to race andethnicity. I want to honor Radford University and CommunityCollege membership along with our splendid Virginia Techcontingent. We have experienced the enrichment brought byBarry Whittemore, who identifies so deeply with theAppalachia culture,
Hopefully, as a congregation, we will also want to reach outmore beyond academia. intellectual snobbery is as ornery asracial prejudice.
Granted: Unitarians in this country started out as NewEngland WASPs and literati, but we find balance through ourUniversalist heritage with roots in rural America, close tonature. Love ought not play second fiddle to reason.
Remember too that before the American Revolution and ourBill Of Rights, in 18th century America, one of the 9signers of the Universalist Charter was an African-Americanrunaway slave. We have a long roster of distinguishedAfrican Americans who worshiped with us.
When I served in Westchester County, Whitney Young of theUrban League was a longstanding member in the WhiteplainsChurch. Out of my Detroit congregation, Wade McCree becameSolicitor General of the United States under Jimmy Carterand Vice-president of our denomination. When I ministered inPhiladelphia, our congregational life was and continues tobe deeply molded by the development of a model interracialneighborhood, East Mount Airy.
All I am saying: "Give Ebony a chance." Let us reach out topeople from the black community, as well as from India andthe Orient. Let us offer them a spiritual home, withouttheir having to convert to white culture or to Christianity,as might be expected of them in other New River Valleycongregations.
Let us welcome with open arms students and retirees, peopleof all colors and whatever station in life, let us supportone another as brothers and sisters, on our common path insearch of religious freedom, justice and the joys offriendship.
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