One of the things often said about Unitarian Universalism is that we don’t pretend to have all the answers, but we embrace asking big questions. Sometimes we pretend to have all the answers. We’re human, after all. And sometimes we say we welcome mystery just because that feels easier than deeply contemplating questions that feel intimidating.
Throughout the month of October, we’ll be exploring what it means to live into some of those questions. We won’t pretend to have answers. Certainly not answers on which we all agree. But we won’t pretend the questions don’t matter either. We’ll invite a sense of what it means to live into questions we might not ever be finished answering. We’ll consider what it is to for spiritual mystery to have a gravitational pull on our lives—a reason to journey into deeper connection.
This Sunday, we’ll begin by considering what it means to live into questions of awe. How do we not only create space for transcendence, but allow ourselves to be guided by big questions without clear answers? We’ll even consider how to shift our internal reactions to spiritual language so that we don’t feel resistance to old definitions (or definitions that come from other people who know as little as we do). How can language and concepts we’ve rejected invite new questions we haven’t considered?
Then, on October 11, we’ll lean into questions of belonging as we celebration Coming Out Day and renew our commitment to being a Welcoming Congregation. What do we need from a community to deeply know that we belong? And what is our role in co-creating a sense of welcome and belonging for ourselves and others? How can we be vulnerable enough to let belonging include the work of repair and reconciliation?
As we consider some of the most frequently asked theological questions, the “problem of evil” probably comes to mind. Why is there “evil” in the world? Or maybe we would ask why there is brokenness. How can we live into questions around suffering and retain a sense of spiritual rootedness? What resources does our theology offer us when it comes to living with integrity to our values when we are surrounded by so many instances of malice and fear and woundedness? That will be our focus on October 18, when I’ll have a special song to share with you from Joshua Blaine.
Finally, we’ll address the question of beliefs. Some people think that Unitarian Universalists can believe whatever we want. And maybe that’s true in some sense, with the caveat that our shared values offer some boundaries within which our beliefs can take shape. What beliefs guide us and ground us? How do we allow space for our beliefs to evolve and change? What do we say Yes to, even without certainty? How do we allow space for mystery and doubt to live comfortably within our constellations of beliefs?
You’ll also be able to carry some of these questions into all of your committees and ministry teams and small groups and connections throughout the month. Because part of the answer to how do we live into the questions of our faith is that we don’t do it alone. We may not find ultimate answers together, but our connection with others can help ensure we ask deeper questions. Maybe better questions. Maybe we help one another focus on the questions that matter most, and set some of the less meaningful questions to the side.
What are some of the questions you can only ask in spiritual community? How are you living into big questions in your life?