UUFSMA: “Voices from the Fellowship—Where Have You Found Nurturing?”

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Online Service

“Voices from the Fellowship—Where Have You Found Nurturing?”

Speaker: Phyllis Culp

Sunday, May 9, 2021

10:30 am

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/414604040   

Password: 294513

By Joseph Plummer

UUF Secretary

During this Sunday’s online Service celebrating Mother’s Day, the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of San Miguel de Allende will present “Voices of the Fellowship” reflecting on the value of “nurturing”— a theme more inclusive than “mothering.”  As Guest Speaker Phyllis Culp says, “We often think of mothers as our nurturers, and in fact most are. However, it is worthwhile to point out that this day celebrates values not restricted to childhood or powers embodied only in women. Anyone can be nurturing or nurtured as individuals’ thoughts, needs, and talents change during their lives.”

Voicing this theme, some dozen UUFSMA members and friends will share their words about what nurturing means to them. Their many stories will reflect upon mothers, fathers, strangers, family, and friends. As well they will pay tribute to the multiculturalism and music of nurturing. Following the service, those attending online will be invited to share what nurturing means to them and to suggest how nurturing could build a better world.

In 1870, Julia Ward Howe, a Unitarian, appealed to women around the world to establish a Mother’s Day for Peace and organize mothers against war. The limited success of her pacifist goals led Howe later to regret that Mother’s Day had morphed into a commercial occasion in the United States, which it remains today. Mexico imported the holiday from the U.S. in 1922, and until the 1940s Dia de las Madres promoted conservative roles and “morals” for women and reduced ecclesiastical influence on women. Today, as in Canada and the U.S., this Sunday for mothers is an unofficial holiday and occasion for family get-togethers as well as honorific greetings and commercial advertisements applauding mothers and grandmothers.

Ms. Culp and her husband King have been Unitarian Universalists for 50 years and members of the UUFSMA for over 15 years. With two daughters in their 50s, nurturing in the Culp family has been multi-dimensional for many decades.

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

Through grants and awards, UUFSMA donates at least fifty percent of its budget 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.

Due to the coronavirus, UUFSMA has suspended in-person Sunday services and other gatherings. A growing collection of more than 75 online services and lectures can be found on the UUFSMA’s YouTube channel. Go to https://www.youtube.com/ and enter UUFSMA in the search box. The UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.