h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Some of you are no doubt wondering why I haven't been on h2g2 as much lately. Well, the reason is that I've started attending a Unitarian Universalist church. They have lots of activities - a class for newcomers, a singles group, a creative arts group, and a spiritual growth group! And that's just the stuff that I've participated in so far! They are having a barbeque this month, and an auction next month with a medieval theme. I'm trying to finish my sun painting to donate to the auction.



There are a lot of things I like about Unitarian Universalists. They don't have a lot of dogma you have to accept; they believe each person must follow their own conscience. Their worship services blend spiritual traditions, and include elements of Christianity, Buddhism, Judaism, and Humanism. They have women ministers as well as male ones, and ministers can marry. (Which was something that really bothered me with Catholicism.) They support civil rights for all groups, regardless of color, creed, gender, or sexual preference. They are, in short, a pretty cool bunch. Historically, the Unitarians believed in "one God" and the Universalists believed in "universal salvation" - that no one is going to Hell. These two groups merged (I don't remember exactly when) to form the UU church of today.



I thought I would share a lovely email sent out by our minister:

For the Autumn Equinox,
Blessings to you this day my friend - A day of light and dark equal.
I wish for you a gentleness of heart for yourself and others,
Much love to color your world with joy,
Much wonder and delight as you view what life has to offer,
A remembering of the Mysteries that are all around us,
A remembering into the Magic that filled your soul as a child.
May you find peace within your soul, as your journey with life continues.
May the stars shine ever brightly upon you.
May you find a safe home within your own skin.
Many Blessings to you this day, and each and every day of your journey.

That e-mail was beautiful, Ellen. I'm happy for you...that you've found something that feels so right & actually, sounds so reasonable.

Hi Jazz. You are up early (or late, as the case may be). It is 3:30am here in Memphis. Time for me to have a glass of milk and go to bed.

Hi Ellen, late is the case. Just got in almost a couple of hours ago (its rapidly approaching 3am ), after helping clean up at the local Jazz & Blues club http://www.yardbirdsuite.com . That included running numerous loads of glasses & dishes through their little dish sterilizer. Now , time for bed here too.

Hey you! nice to see you again.

That's a lovely e-mail. I steer away from organised religion, but these people sound very welcoming, I'm glad you're having so much fun as well.

"We will know when to hang our hat, by the overwhelming feeling of "being home"

MH
(Do you have to get medication for that or does a case of the Unitarian Universalists go away all by it'self? )

Nice! I like it. I am happy you have found a comfy place for your spirit to be nourished

Indeed!

Interesting. Good choice

Hi JEllen, I wondered what the Unitarians were all about, now I know! I had assumed they were christian, its fascinating to learn that they welcome all faiths, I have to ask, what about pagans?!

Take care

Hi JEllen,

Sounds like you've found somewhere that feels right for you, plus they seem to have a pretty active social calendar. Good for you, hope you have lots of good times, you deserve it!

What does the think about it?

Terri.

I dunno, I always figured that cats were buddhist! I'm not entirely sure why, but it just seemed to fit in my mind!

MH
(The idea, not the cat itself!)

Hmm maybe pagan ,maybe Buddhist.....
I bet they are not all alike just like us!

I think yoda is probably Buddhist

Confucius would appeal to many cats

got the giggles thinking of what an Orthodox Jewish cat would look like? Or perhaps an Amish cat?

MH
(Silliness!)

"Orthodox Jewish cat" 'Oy vey!'

I had a amish cat ~~ maybe!
He was black and white fur --good colors for the male dress. He did everything the hard way. He also had many rituals. Very atttracted to the candles and natural fabrics and foods. Hated automobiles and telephones!

Yup! That's Amish alrighty!
I had a cat that was the SAS Commander of Cats! Talk about Gung Ho!
He would beat up all of the local cats, daily, and then be home in time for dinner and a good pat! We saw him leaping from one tree to another 20 ft in the air on a regular basis, he would sneak past the next door neighbours dogs (big mungrel...the dog, not the neighbour!) and pinch food from their cats bowls and get out again without being spotted. I once watched with fascination as he tried to get into the house by way of a small tear in a fly screen window! it took him a little while, but he did it! Determined little buggar he was, until he lost to a car!

Mh
(He did break the car's grill though! Taking somethin' with 'im we reckon!)

Yes Kaz, the Unitarians do welcome pagans as well. They pretty much welcome anyone who shares Unitarian ideals, and who values "the worth and dignity of each human being."

As for all this silliness about cats , I always thought cats fell into the category of "the worshiped", not "the worshipers." After all, weren't they esteemed as divine by the Egyptians?? Micio certainly acts like the universe revolves around her.

JEllen

I was always fascinated by the way a cat could be grooming itself or whatever, and then look at you with this "What are you looking at?" kind of arrogance!

Mh
(Women are cats, men are dogs......ponder?)

Hi Jellen! I hope this works out for you. It sounds quite OK! Me, these days, I also have a problem with religion because I have my own ideas that don't fit in with the churches over here ... and yet I still have the wish and felt need to be able to meet and share with other people who have similar ideas.