When you think or talk about SSUC to others, do you ever find yourself saying things like “Oh, it’s a church – kind of – but it’s not a typical church. It’s not what you think!” Or do you find yourself describing this spiritual community by what it ISN’T like rather than what it IS like?
It’s difficult to be positive about something by describing it in the negative. Let’s develop a bigger vocabulary to talk about SSUC, to talk about our spiritual paths, the expansive journey.
Part 1: What is this place? How do we describe it. I asked for your feedback and we heard your ideas! There are more words than just “church”!
A place of:
cooperation
service and helping others
practicing the art of love and tender-heartedness
counter-culture, resistance to disconnection
knowing and caring for each other
belonging
compassion
welcoming
inclusive
a place for celebration and mourning
acceptance and support
empowerment
challenge
encouragement and growth
caring for the environment
non-judgemental
a place to be renegades
connection
openness
questioning
guidance and acknowledgment
life-long learning
expressing love in many languages: music, kinship, art, language, action
accountability
freedom
joy
justice-seeking
philosophical education
listening
belonging
embracing diversity
evolving
volunteerism
collectivism
risk-taking
meaning-making/finding
authenticity
dying and rising
recognition
earthly spirituality
grounded
comfort in grief
healing
action
What’s missing for you in describing the best of who we can be?