UUFSMA: “When There’s Nothing Intelligent to Say”

Sunday, January 2, 10:30am 

“When There’s Nothing Intelligent to Say”

Guest Minister: Reverend Alan Taylor
​
Zoom link:  https://zoom.us/j/414604040 
Password: 294513

By Joseph Plummer
UUFSMA Board Secretary

Religious progressives often excel at critical inquiry, analysis, and discussing issues from all sorts of angles. And for this first 2022 UUFSMA Sunday Service, guest minister Reverend Alan Taylor will reflect on a few shortcomings of those qualities of mind.

Unitarian Universalists typically value education and can be very well-spoken, sometimes gregarious. And they love discussing things. Do you know that joke about Unitarian Universalists? At the pearly gates, when given the choice to go to heaven or a discussion about heaven, a Unitarian Universalist often chooses the latter!

Even so, the UU faith tradition struggles with the shadow side of relying heavily on intellect. For there are times in life when words fail. Whether it is in the face of human suffering or unspeakable beauty, there is a temptation to look away. There’s some unpacking to do of internal resources in the face of suffering or unspeakable beauty. What cultivates deeper connection?

Reflecting upon the turning of the year, nearly two years into the global pandemic, Rev. Taylor will explore resources we must stay connected to during moments of deep grief and awe—both as individuals and as a like-minded group. For when we find ourselves at a time when there is nothing intelligent to say, it doesn’t mean that there still isn’t a response.

Rev. Taylor has served as a pastor for 24 years, the last 18 at Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Oak Park, Illinois. He returns to San Miguel two years after his prior visit, sharing his view of the challenges along the border between Mexico and the United States. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on the beginning of a new year with an exploration of the resources we have within us, which we can rely on when there is nothing intelligent to say.

To participate in our online Sunday Service, visit www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in from anywhere Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:25 am CST.

UUFSMA donates at least fifty percent of its income to support nonprofit organizations that provide health, educational, and environmental services for underserved communities in the San Miguel region. Please support this work by clicking on the website home page Donate button. Now more than ever, your support is essential.

In addition to continuing live Zoom services, UUFSMA has returned to limited in-person Sunday services. Members and friends may attend in-person services at the Hotel Aldea by contacting Diana Amaya (info.uufsma@gmail.com) for important safety guidelines that must be followed. And when seats remain on Sunday morning, guests who show their vaccination card can join the in-person service. Our Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Enjoy previous services at https://www.youtube.com/. Enter UUFSMA in the search box.

Our fellowship was born in 1987 when a small group of expatriate religious liberals came together to meet as Unitarian Universalists in San Miguel de Allende. The fellowship has been active and thriving ever since. Every UU church has it’s own flavor, and we are no exception. We are a combination of expats and visitors, each actively engaged and contributing to this wonderful Mexican community we love. Because there is a coming, going, and returning aspect, our spiritual community is extremely fluid.  There is a magic in San Miguel which draws us in and binds us together—both as members of the church and of the larger community. Our programming is led by visiting ministers, community leaders, and church members, so the variety is lively. We have opportunities to meet as UU’s each week at discussion groups, breakfasts, luncheons, and in various other ways. Depending on the season, attendance fluctuates between 40 and 140. Our primary focus is on funding social action within the surrounding community. We love good music, good discussion, good food, and having visitors. We invite you to join us any Sunday morning.

Members regularly post updates and information on this site. We also post meeting minutes and announcements there.

To join our Yahoo group site click on this link:

https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/UUFSMA/info

Click on “membership”and follow the directions.

Posting a notice on the Yahoo site is easy. Just go to your regular mail browser, type in the address line: uufsma@yahoogroups.com , type your message and hit send!

We encourage you to use this site to communicate with other local UUs.

By Joseph Plummer
UUFSMA Board Secretary

Religious progressives often excel at critical inquiry, analysis, and discussing issues from all sorts of angles. And for this first 2022 UUFSMA Sunday Service, guest minister Reverend Alan Taylor will reflect on a few shortcomings of those qualities of mind.

Unitarian Universalists typically value education and can be very well-spoken, sometimes gregarious. And they love discussing things. Do you know that joke about Unitarian Universalists? At the pearly gates, when given the choice to go to heaven or a discussion about heaven, a Unitarian Universalist often chooses the latter!

Even so, the UU faith tradition struggles with the shadow side of relying heavily on intellect. For there are times in life when words fail. Whether it is in the face of human suffering or unspeakable beauty, there is a temptation to look away. There’s some unpacking to do of internal resources in the face of suffering or unspeakable beauty. What cultivates deeper connection?

Reflecting upon the turning of the year, nearly two years into the global pandemic, Rev. Taylor will explore resources we must stay connected to during moments of deep grief and awe—both as individuals and as a like-minded group. For when we find ourselves at a time when there is nothing intelligent to say, it doesn’t mean that there still isn’t a response.

Rev. Taylor has served as a pastor for 24 years, the last 18 at Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Oak Park, Illinois. He returns to San Miguel two years after his prior visit, sharing his view of the challenges along the border between Mexico and the United States. Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on the beginning of a new year with an exploration of the resources we have within us, which we can rely on when there is nothing intelligent to say.

To participate in our online Sunday Service, visit www.uufsma.org and click on the Zoom Service button on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in from anywhere Sunday mornings between 10:15-10:25 am CST.

UUFSMA donates at least fifty percent of its income to support nonprofit organizations that provide health, educational, and environmental services for underserved communities in the San Miguel region. Please support this work by clicking on the website home page Donate button. Now more than ever, your support is essential.

In addition to continuing live Zoom services, UUFSMA has returned to limited in-person Sunday services. Members and friends may attend in-person services at the Hotel Aldea by contacting Diana Amaya (info.uufsma@gmail.com) for important safety guidelines that must be followed. And when seats remain on Sunday morning, guest