I am challenged to share with you news that is not a reflection of RVUUF, but it is a reflection of two associations of which RVUUF and myself as minister are in direct relationship and therefore has an effect at some level.
On April 1, Rev. Peter Morales resigned as the UUA President after hiring practices and his direct reaction fueled the conversations around decisions that reflected white privilege. I was struck with how similar the flurry of Facebook posts, tweets, and email exchanges from many who have an opinion, reaction, or response, (including all the emotions that come with those posts), and to how this same behavior is manifested when congregations experience conflict of any kind.
Our Association is not immune to what many congregations are trying to respond to in healthy and life affirming ways, which is why RVUUF’s Covenant of Right Relations is a practice we all must choose to embrace and practice. My prayer for the UUA, which includes us at RVUUF, is to be open to new learning around the issues of white privilege and race, as difficult and challenging as it will be for everyone to move forward. I encourage you to attend the gathering at RVUUF on April 9 on the topic of race. See Diane Werich for more information.
More news that profoundly troubled me was when I read a letter I received on April 2 from the Unitarian Universalist Minister Association (UUMA), of which I am a member. A colleague serving as a Community minister for a non-profit in Oklahoma was arrested for child pornography and his status has been suspended as a UU minister and as a member of the UUMA. This association of UU ministers has Good Officers in place and the UUA Trauma Team to offer support and guidance to all who are affected. The UUMA is not immune to inappropriate behavior even when safeguards, training, psychological testing and ethical teachings are in place as seminarians and ministers serve our UU congregations and communities.
In case you are not aware, RVUUF has a safety policy in place to protect our children, which is why we always need two adults present when children are gathered together at RVUUF. My prayer for that community, for the minister charged, and all the children and families affected is to be open to new learning with each other as difficult and challenging as it will be for everyone to move forward.
We are all imperfect in our behavior. May we continue to strive to become better than we are today. My prayer for us is to be open to new learning with each other as difficult and challenging as it will be for all of us to move forward and to continue to ensure safe space for families at RVUUF. I make myself available to any of you who find yourself needing to talk about either of these unfortunate experiences within the life of the UUA. May we join together in our imperfection as we learn to be better human beings.
Lastly, I share with you a personal loss. On April 4 I learned of the sudden death of my youngest brother, Don White, in Birmingham, Alabama. He is the first sibling to die in my family and the impact is difficult. A Memorial service will take place on Friday morning with burial in August when Sam and I can be with the remaining siblings. I ask for your prayers and thoughts as we begin to mourn his life and grieve in ways that nurture us.
Rev. Nan L. White
RVUUF Developmental Minister