UU’s Stained Glass Window – Our Six Sources of Inspiration
A sermon by Bob Clegg, at All Souls Waccamaw UU, October 20, 2024
In a recent article, we examined our six new UU Values. We saw how they grew out of our Principles, which served us well for over 50 years. In this one, let’s explore the deep well of inspiration that shapes our Unitarian Universalist faith: the Six Sources. Just like a deep well, these sources are not just abstract ideas. We drink deeply from them. They become part and parcel of the bones and muscles of our spiritual lives. They guide us, nurture us, and help us connect to one another and the world.
In his book, “A Chosen Faith: An Introduction to Unitarian Universalism,” John Buehrens asks us to imagine walking into a grand cathedral. Think of our Unitarian Universalist Sources as the different colored panes of a stained glass window. Just like light pours through a stained glass window, our Six Sources bring diverse colors of wisdom into our lives. Each source adds its own hue, creates a vibrant tapestry of understanding. When light shines through, it reveals beauty and depth. Our sources illuminate our journey, helping us see the divine in ourselves and each other.
The colors dance on the walls, each shade a reminder of the complexity of our faith. This stained glass window symbolizes the harmony of our beliefs, the integration of varied experiences, and the beauty of our shared journey. Each source plays its own unique role in crafting a rich and diverse faith.
In the next few minutes, as we explore each Source, consider how it can deepen your own spiritual practice – your own connection to the world around you.
Our first Source is the “direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder.” This Source opens us to awe and wonder. It is where our spiritual journey begins. We find ourselves in moments that connect us to something larger than ourselves. Perhaps you have stood by a vast ocean, feeling the power of the waves. Maybe you’ve felt stillness in a quiet forest, or looked up at a starry sky and felt a deep sense of awe. Experiences loke that can be transformative.
This Source invites us to be fully present. We should experience the world with our whole being. Just last week, we were challenged by SnowWolf to find “magick in the mundane.” I’m using a new app called The Healthy Minds App that cultivates simply paying attention as a spiritual practice. Whether through meditation, prayer, or simply being mindful – which may be both! – we can more frequently recognize and appreciate life’s special moments.
Our faith encourages us to remember that the sacred exists in every moment. It is not confined to a specific place or time. It’s in the sound of birdsong, the laughter of children, and the quiet companionship of loved ones. When we embrace these experiences, we find a wellspring of gratitude and reverence. This connection helps us appreciate the larger web of life that surrounds us.
As we explore the second Source, we turn to the “words and deeds of prophetic people.” These individuals challenge injustice with courage and compassion. Throughout history, many have risen to speak truth, calling for justice, equality, and love in the face of oppression. Figures like Martin Luther King Jr., Mahatma Gandhi, and Sojourner Truth embody this prophetic tradition. They remind us that spirituality is not just about personal peace; it is about transforming our world to reflect our highest ideals.
But being prophetic isn’t just for a few exceptional individuals; it is a call for all of us. Each of us is called to examine the injustices we see and ask how we can respond with integrity and compassion. Prophetic action may take many forms. It might mean standing up for racial justice, advocating for environmental sustainability, or working for the inclusion of marginalized communities.
In our personal lives, prophetic action may involve difficult conversations, confronting our own biases, or reaching out to someone in need. The words and deeds of prophetic people remind us that faith, to be useful, must be active, engaged, and outward-facing. It is not enough to simply believe in justice; we are called to live it. We must embody our values in our daily interactions and work toward a world where all people can thrive.
As we move to the third Source, we find “wisdom from the world’s religions.” This Source inspires us in our ethical and spiritual lives. Unitarian Universalism is a pluralistic tradition. We honor the wisdom found in various religious traditions. Whether it is the compassion of Buddhism, the justice-seeking of Judaism, the love for neighbor central to Christianity, or the reverence for nature found in Indigenous spiritualities, there is much to learn.
By engaging with these diverse traditions, we affirm that no single religion has a monopoly on truth. There is wisdom to be found in many places. Each tradition offers unique insights into the human condition and our relationship with the divine. This Source invites us to approach these traditions with humility and respect. We are not appropriators or consumers; we are learners and visitors.
In our search for truth, we are invited to be open-minded. We can explore unfamiliar perspectives and listen deeply to the teachings of others. This openness enriches our own spiritual lives. It helps us see the divine in new ways. By honoring the wisdom of the world’s religions, we embrace the diversity of human experience and the many ways in which people seek and find meaning.
Next, we turn to our fourth Source: “Jewish and Christian teachings.” These teachings call us to love our neighbors as ourselves. For many Unitarian Universalists, these teachings represent the spiritual heritage of our tradition. Though many of us no longer identify as Christian, the teachings of our youth still offer moral and ethical guidance.
At the heart of these teachings is love—love for God, love for neighbor, and love for the stranger and the oppressed. The Hebrew prophets called for justice and mercy. The Carpenter/Preacher from Nazareth preached radical love, forgiveness, and inclusivity. These teachings remind us that spirituality is not just about belief. It’s about how we treat each other. Love, in this context, is a verb, not a noun. It’s an active commitment to other people’s well-being.
In modern times, how can we live out this call to love? We can purposefully work for social justice. We can extend kindness to those we disagree with, or seek to understand the lives of people who differ from us. We can forgive ourselves, and others, for past wrongs. We can practice compassion even when it is difficult, and building relationships across lines of difference. We can apply those general ideas to specific situations in our lives where this fourth-source call to love can heal and nurture our lives.
The fifth Source of our faith is “humanist teachings.” These teachings counsel us to heed the guidance of reason and the results of science. Humanism affirms the inherent worth and dignity of every person. It emphasizes the power of human reason and creativity, as well as the importance of ethics grounded in the here and now, instead of the supernatural.
Humanist teachings encourage us to ask questions and challenge assumptions. They invite us to seek out truth through reason and evidence. This Source is particularly relevant today, as misinformation and fear can cloud our judgment. By committing ourselves to reason and evidence, we foster our own growth and learning. We affirm the importance of truth-telling in a complex world.
Finally, our sixth Source: “earth-centered traditions.” These traditions celebrate the sacred circle of life. They instruct us to live in harmony with the rhythms of nature. They remind us we are not separate from the earth; we are deeply interconnected with all living beings. The cycles of the seasons, the phases of the moon, and the changing tides remind us life on our planet is in delicate balance.
In a time of environmental crisis, this Source calls us to reconnect with the earth and take our role as stewards of the natural world seriously. It invites us to cultivate reverence for the earth and recognize all life is sacred. It calls us to honor the earth and all its creatures – through sustainable living practices, environmental advocacy, or simply mindfully spending time in nature. All of those ways are important. Because embracing earth-centered traditions affirms the interdependent web of existence. When we acknowledge how our well-being is tied to our planet’s health, we commit ourselves to living in harmony with the earth’s rhythms. One way we can learn to respect the earth and heal our planet, is to integrate earth-centered traditions into our practices and beliefs.
Having discussed our Six Sources, let me emphasize the need to read our historical and theological literature. Just as Quakers engage deeply with their texts, we too must delve into our rich heritage. I challenge each of you to explore our writings, to engage with the “past and present” of our faith. Doing that, can deepen our understanding and connection to our tradition.
In case you’re not a “reading type,” we have alternative media to enhance our learning. Websites, UUA curricula, podcasts, and documentaries (like on Movie Night?) are excellent resources for expanding our knowledge. They can help us grasp the diverse perspectives and insights that shape our faith.
No matter what media we select, engaging with these materials is essential for our growth. They can spark meaningful conversations and help us form connections with others who share our values. Let’s challenge ourselves to learn and grow together.
In summary, let’s remember that Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition. It is not static or bound by creed. Instead, it evolves. It’s shaped by diverse spiritual insights and experiences of each generation that walks this path. As we draw from the living well of our Sources, we experience a faith that is rich and expansive, a faith that affords us many ways of knowing and being in the world.
If you take just one thing from this sermon, I hope it’s this: Like the panes of stained glass in a cathedral, each Source offers us a unique lens through which to view the world, and our place in it. Together, these Sources create a vibrant tapestry of wisdom that guides us toward truth, meaning, and justice.
As we reflect on these Six Sources, consider how they can shape your daily life. How can you open your heart to the transcendent mystery that surrounds us? How can you speak out for justice and compassion in your community? How can you learn from the world’s religious traditions? How can you live out the teachings of love, embrace reason and science, and honor the sacredness of the earth?
The call to action is clear. We must be active participants in our faith and our world. We are invited to bring Our Values into every interaction – to advocate for justice and kindness in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
Moreover, as we engage with our historical and theological literature, we deepen our understanding of where we come from. This understanding enriches our spiritual journey. It helps us navigate the complexities of our faith, and helps us meet challenges with wisdom and courage.
Let’s remember the importance of community in this journey. We are not alone. Together, we can explore, learn, and grow. We can support each other in our spiritual quest. In small group discussions, workshops, or shared readings, we can create opportunities to learn and grow.
As we leave here today, let us carry with us the wisdom of our Six Sources. Let us commit to exploring each one, allowing it to illuminate our path. By embracing the lessons they offer, we deepen our own spiritual lives and contribute to the flourishing of all.
Let us also acknowledge the urgency of our time. The world needs love, justice, and compassion – all of them, as verbs, not nouns. Our commitment to Our Values has never been more critical. We must rise to the occasion, embodying the principles of our faith in our actions and choices.
So let us walk together in this journey of faith. Let us celebrate the diversity of our experiences and the richness of our tradition. Let us hold the stained glass window of our Sources close to our hearts, allowing its light to shine through us in all we do.
May it be so. Amen.
