From Hart to Hearts
A Message from Rev Linda Hart for the month of November 2008
My friend Michael grew up in a Roman Catholic family. His family was politically liberal and very active in reforming the Catholic Church in America. They supported all the changes of Vatican II, and welcomed the liberalising of church dogma and strictures.
When Pope Paul VI issued his landmark encyclical letter Humanae Vitae in 1968 which declared that members of that church could not use artificial birth control and be in good standing, Michael’s parents were enraged. They knew the impact that such a teaching would have on the poor and oppressed around the world, and believed that it was wrong. When the encyclical was to be read at the nearby cathedral, they went along. Their five children seated with them in the front row and other like-minded people nearby, when the text was read they stood dramatically and walked out of the room. There are pictures from newspapers of Sheilaugh on her father’s shoulders, as they strode out of the sanctuary.
On the steps outside, television reporters waited to interview the protesters. Jim, Michael’s father, had been chosen to be their spokesperson. With a microphone in his face and a camera whirring across from him, Jim gave their statement. It was forceful and lined out all the reasons why this teaching would harm people across the world. His wife and children by his side, Jim was declaring himself, setting out his position in the world and standing up to the Holy Roman Church. No small act.
After he had made his statement, the reporter asked a few questions, finally inquiring if Jim and his wife used artificial birth control. A quick glance at the camera revealed that the reporter was from the network that his mother routinely watched – and she was an avid follower of the evening news. Though she lived a few states away, Jim felt certain that they would get national coverage.
He froze. ‘What will my mother think?’ flashed through his mind, as the camera kept running. Quickly recognising that his own position would be jeopardised by not answering the question, he affirmed that they did indeed use birth control, and the interview came to a quick end.
The family hurried home, and Jim immediately rang his sister who lived nearby his mother. ‘Keep her away from the television!’ he implored. A plan was hatched and Jim was saved from having to answer to his mother.
There is something both empowering and frightening about taking a stand in our lives. We define ourselves by the causes we care about, the people we gather around us in love and care, and the organisations that we put our names to. It is making a choice, becoming this sort of person rather than that sort of person.
Membership in our congregation is like that, too. It is a kind of proclamation about what matters to you, what you care about, where your heart lies. But it has to be more than that as well.
The Reverend John Wolf used to say that the only reason to join a Unitarian church was to support it, and I believe that to be true. There is virtually nothing in our community that isn't open to all who come: our worship is open, courses and workshops are available to anyone who might be interested. You can even attend our Committee meeting on the second Thursday of the month, if you wish. And there's no need to have your name in our membership book to serve tea and coffee on Sunday morning, if you've got the urge to lend a hand. We do not ask you to make a formal, public affirmation of your membership in order for you to participate widely in our church life.
Becoming a member of this congregation is taking a public stand that says you are here to take care of this community, that you find this church a home and that you care enough about it to work to sustain it in the world, sustain it into the future.
Membership isn't for everyone for lots of reasons, and the participation of each person who comes to our church is a great gift, no matter their status. Still, if you are ready to become a member, we will have a formal ceremony of membership on 23 November as a part of our All Present service.
If you would like to be part of that ceremony, please speak to me or to one of the members of the Committee (Trevor Lewis, Mary Armstrong, David Knight, Margaret Lord, Paul Richards, Elisabeth Strickland or Lawrence Tuckman) so that we can affirm your application, and plan to be there at the service on the 23rd.
With best wishes,
Linda