"Congregations and institutions that make a real difference in the world first articulate the core values that guide all their work, the mission that flows from those values, and the more specific differences in lives that will advance the mission. These values, mission, and ends statements fit together like nested bowls, each building upon the other to ground the work of the congregation in shared purpose and meaning." The Nested Bowls: The Promise and Practice of Good Governance, Laura Park
What sort of an adventure are we on?
As Renee Garcia pointed out in last Sunday's sermon, we are in a very different place as we consider a new mission and vision than when we created our current mission in 2014-15. The world is different. I don't think that, in 2014, "protect democracy" would have been so significant a call in my life as it is now. I probably took it for granted, if I'm honest.
So what is the work that we, as a congregation, are called to do?
"A missional church casts its lot with the world. A church that thinks it is doing well in a city that is doing poorly is fooling itself. A radical recalibration of priorities is in order for many congregations." -- Reggie McNeal, Missional Communities
In our "Exploring Membership" gathering, where we talk with potential members about what it means to be a member of Live Oak, democracy is one the elements we talk about. Like all UU congregations, we operate on democratic governance. For us, this is rooted in a theology of deep equality. We do not believe that certain people are set up, like bishops or popes, or even priests, with exclusive claims to divine wisdom. We know that every person has a prophetic voice, and we seek to listen to every one.
That's what is happening right now as we begin the work of determining our new mission and vision. You are asked to sign up for a one-time small group discussion where you can use your prophetic voice to speak about the direction we should head in, the communal purpose we should embrace. When you go to that form, you'll see a list of scheduling times - find one that fits your schedule and sign up today!
“For hundreds of years, our theology has been radically incarnational--we do not understand the Holy to be separate from this life, on this planet, (it is) made manifest in concrete acts of caring for one another in our mutual vulnerability.” Rev. Bill Sinkford, former President of the Unitarian Universalist Association
