UUFSMA: “Building Bridges: Connecting the Three Dimensions of our Lives and Ministry”

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Online Service

“Building Bridges: Connecting the Three Dimensions
of our Lives and Ministry”

Speaker: Reverend Tom Rosiello

Sunday, September 19, 2021

10:30 am

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

Password: 294513

By Joseph Plummer

UUFSMA Board Secretary

One of the more unusual Bible passages is an account in the Book of Revelations, the most mystifying of all biblical books, of a dream that John the Evangelist is reported to have had while imprisoned on Patmos. Its 25th chapter describes a perfect community, “the New Jerusalem,” as one equal in three dimensions. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. preached from that passage several times during his campaign for justice, reminding people that social justice, spiritual depth, and beloved community were of equal importance, sustaining everyone’s striving toward individual achievement and the advancement of justice. Dr. King described “the Three Dimensions of a Complete Life” — its length, breadth, and height — as interconnected, each supporting and strengthening the other two.

In this UUFSMA online Sunday Service, the Reverend Tom Rosiello, Fellowship Minister, examines this virtuous trio and their support for the others in the lives of individuals and a congregation. He explains, “Dr. King’s idea is very applicable to Unitarian Universalists as individuals and within our congregations.” He applies this metaphor in this way. A complete life and a healthy congregation must have spiritual depth, the breadth of a beloved community, and the height of aspiration for justice and service to the needy. He adds, “These dimensions need to share equal proportions. Each dimension offers great opportunity for lay and professional ministry. Some may feel called to one dimension more than others. Each dimension is important alone. Yet building bridges among those drawn to grow a beloved community, others nurturing spiritual depth, and those working for justice magnifies and enriches every dimension profoundly.”

This Sunday service also marks a milestone. The Fellowship’s audio-visual team, minister, and pianist will broadcast the service live from the Hotel Aldea for the first time since March 2020. This first step begins a transition back to in-person services. The next planned step is to gather a small group of congregants to live services later in the fall and then to invite the entire congregation to in-person services when it is safe to do so. UUFSMA will continue to broadcast services via Zoom after the return to in-person services so that members beyond San Miguel can still participate virtually.

To participate in this service, visit www.uufsma.org and click on the home page Zoom Service button. Enter password: 294513. Sign-in between 10:15-10:25 am CST. UUFSMA donates fifty percent of its income to NGOs servicing communities in the San Miguel region. Support this work by clicking on our home page’s Donate button. Your support is essential. A growing collection of previous online services can be found on the UUFSMA’s YouTube channel. Go to https://www.youtube.com/ and search for UUFSMA. The UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity.