This year, Unitarian Universalists are trying on a revision to how we express our shared values. With that in mind, our theme for the month of November is Generosity.

Here’s how generosity is defined in the proposed language: We cultivate a spirit of gratitude and hope. We covenant to freely and compassionately share our faith, presence, and resources. Our generosity connects us to one another in relationships of interdependence and mutuality.

That sentiment is certainly compatible with the familiar statement of UU principles from 1985. Maybe here we’re making even more explicit that we need one another. Unitarian Universalism isn’t something any of us can do as a solo act.

Some people think of Unitarian Universalism as a place where anything goes. And it’s true that we embrace a vast spectrum of theologies, identities, and practices. Maybe we need to state clearly that the freedom we exercise as individuals can be used to cause harm, or it can be used to create greater wholeness and well-being. Remaining mindful of our connection with one another makes a big difference.

So, this definition of generosity we’re exploring makes it explicit that, in our spiritual communities, personal freedom is held in balance with our commitment to one another’s well-being. It’s a clearer understanding of the responsible part that’s often overlooked when we celebrate a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning”.

Likewise, we can think so broadly about the interdependent web of existence that it becomes more mystical than practical. This expression of generosity reminds us of the very localized, daily opportunities we have to apply our spiritual principles in our closest relationships.

As we explore the theme of Generosity in November, we’ll consider what it means in our spiritual journeys as individuals and as a congregation. We begin this Sunday, unpacking a little more deeply what gifts are on offer for each of us by intentionally cultivating gratitude and hope.

Then, on November 12, Rev. Shirley Nelson will offer a sermon on “Generosity Can’t Buy Us Love,” reminding us that our values are not transactional. After that service on November 12, we’ll have an amazing potluck meal with one another, so please plan to bring your most delicious offering to share in the spirit of generosity.

Our Bread Ceremony is the very next week, on November 19, becausewe never tire of feeding one another! If you’re able to bring bread in one- or two-bite portions to share, we’ll enjoy that nourishing gift in worship.

We’ll cap off the month on November 26 with a deeper dive into what a commitment to generosity invites us to do in our day-to-day lives. In a way, that’s a primary strength of genuinely trying on a different way of stating our shared values: We can ask whether this expression of our spiritual identities guides us more clearly in daily life.