Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA
A diverse, welcoming community of open hearts and minds since 1948
Choose to Bless the World
Your gifts—whatever you discover them to be—
can be used to bless or curse the world.
The mind’s power,
The strength of the hands,
The reaches of the heart,
The gift of speaking, listening, imagining, seeing, waiting
Any of these can serve to feed the hungry,
Bind up wounds,
Welcome the stranger,
Praise what is sacred,
Do the work of justice
Or offer love.
Any of these can draw down the prison door,
Hoard bread,
Abandon the poor,
Obscure what is holy,
Comply with injustice
Or withhold love.
You must answer this question:
What will you do with your gifts?
Choose to bless the world.
The choice to bless the world can take you into solitude
To search for the sources of power and grace;
Native wisdom, healing, and liberation.
More, the choice will draw you into community,
The endeavor shared,
The heritage passed on,
The companionship of struggle,
The importance of keeping faith,
The life of ritual and praise,
The comfort of human friendship,
The company of earth
The chorus of life welcoming you.
None of us alone can save the world.
Together—that is another possibility waiting.
The choice to bless the world is more than act of will,
A moving forward into the world
With the intention to do good.
It is an act of recognition,
A confession of surprise,
A grateful acknowledgment
That in the midst of a broken world
Unspeakable beauty, grace and mystery abide.
There is an embrace of kindness,
That encompasses all life,
Even yours.
And while there is injustice, anesthetization, or evil
There moves a holy disturbance,
A benevolent rage,
A revolutionary love
Protesting, urging insisting
That which is sacred will not be defiled.
Those who bless the world live their life
As a gesture of thanks
For this beauty
And this rage.
-- Rev. Rebecca Parker
Last updated by UUCAVA Jun 30, 2009.
Discussions
Works? Change? - Annual Meeting Evaluation 5 Replies
Started by Natalia Averett. Last reply by Natalia Averett 4 hours ago.
Wordle – Offertory for Rev Michael 2 Replies
Started by Natalia Averett. Last reply by Alexandra Roth 11 hours ago.
Blog Posts
Welcome aboard Brian! UUCA's new CAO
Posted by UUCAVA on May 26, 2012 at 1:38pm
Two Minute Timeout on Children
Posted by Rev. Michael McGee on May 23, 2012 at 3:46pm — 1 Comment
Materials: Congregational Meeting May 20th
Posted by Natalia Averett on May 7, 2012 at 11:30pm
UUCA's Wrecking Ball - an evening of music, dance and revelry!
Posted by UUCAVA on May 22, 2012 at 2:25pm
Thank You!
Posted by Rev. Michael McGee on May 21, 2012 at 3:00pm
UUCA's First Home in Photo and Word - Part 1
Posted by Rev. Linda Olson Peebles on May 20, 2012 at 6:00pm — 2 Comments
UUCA's First Home - Part 2
Posted by Rev. Linda Olson Peebles on May 20, 2012 at 6:31pm
UUCA's First Home - Reeb Hall - Part 3
Posted by Rev. Linda Olson Peebles on May 20, 2012 at 6:47pm — 2 Comments
Wrecking Ball - May 26 - reserve tickets today!
Posted by UUCAVA on May 17, 2012 at 9:45am
Living on the Edge
Posted by Jacomina de Regt on May 7, 2012 at 3:43pm
Journey Toward Phoenix
New Help Tutorials
Help & Getting Started
Getting Started Activities
Watch Tutorials
These tutorials show you how to sign up and how to use all the features of our online church. Learn now!
Please also read the following:
• Online ministry: A blog
• The Getting Started blog
• For Parents & Families
Our Covenant
We embrace a diversity of opinions, viewpoints, and beliefs. By participating here, you agree to uphold our covenant. Continue...
HELP
• Registered Users: Send an internal message to the website admin questions and request help.
• Not registered? Please email your questions to the web administrator
• Help Each Other: Post Questions to a Discussion Board
© 2012 Created by UUCAVA.
