The Spirit of Revival

Today's "Action" follows well on the tails of yesterday's post about the UU Congregation of Queens--since that congregation was also the founders of a new event in our district: the UU Revival. They started this tradition a couple years ago of bringing congregations together in our district for a weekend of music, worship, preaching, food, and fellowship. I haven't had the opportunity to attend the annual fall revival in Queens, but I just returned from a night of revival at Fourth Universalist. The idea is that Queens will hold the Fall revivals, and Fourth U will hold the spring ones...

Despite the small turnout, I was inspired by the spirit of this event. I attended with a friend of mine who, one might say, is a little burnt out with committee work and church politics (One might say I am too...!). I enjoyed this night because it reminded me of the spirit of our faith, and it gave us an opportunity to meet others in the district in a common spirit of community--rather than at a meeting or conference. We enjoyed singing together, and our preachers--Rev. Michael Tino and Rev. Rosemary Bray McNatt-- were inspiring. Their words reminded of why I am a UU.

It does seem that with revival a seed has been planted that I hope will grow of bringing congregations together in a spirited way. Michael and Rosemary preached about love, and about the spirit of our work being rooted in the joining of spirituality and action; and love being available to all. Gatherings like these have a spirit of openness that invites us in. It is a way of reviving our spirits. And- unlike our district meeting- it doesn't cost alot to attend!