PeaceBang

13 Comments »

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URI

1. Ha! That is wonderful! As a UCC’er, I’m honored you think so well of our campaign, which I love. I think that UU poster could go for many denominations, though!

   Comment by smallwundr — March 27, 2008 #

2. Yes, indeed, we are still speaking! At the UUA Large Congregation Conference, Susan Beaumont (Alban Institute) said that she likes UUs because we’re so passionate about language and that we work so hard to get the language right. Everyone laughed, of course, but none of us could deny it.

   I happen to love “Nurture your spirit. Help heal our world.” I picked up the “My God is better than your God” postcard and read it aloud at an Adult RE class. Very provocative! [Elizabeth, can you explain more about the “My God is better than your God” postcard? It sounds like a thoroughly obnoxious thing to say to me, but I’m sure I don’t have the whole picture. What is it? Please say more. - PB]

   Comment by Elizabeth Barrett — March 27, 2008 #

3. I mentioned the UUA’s advertising campaign in a sermon recently you know the “Is God keeping you from church?” one. As if there are millions of atheists looking for a religious home these days. Any way I said it should be ‘Is Church keeping you from God?’ or at least ‘Is Church keeping you from Church?’

   Comment by Hank — March 27, 2008 #

4. I invited an atheist, preacher’s kid coworker guest respond to the UUA campaign last October, for another perspective.

   Comment by Scott Wells — March 27, 2008 #

5. Right on! RIGHT ON, and a stroke of brilliance to add the Poley lyric.

   This reminded me of a few years ago, when George “Don’t Think of an Elephant” Lakoff spoke at General Assembly about the power of language and how we use it to frame things.

   He patiently explained how to speak out in favor of marriage equality, suggesting: “Decent people don’t believe in denying civil rights…” or “Reasonable people don’t discriminate…”

   His next words were: “Don’t bother saying, ‘Unitarian Universalists believe in marriage equality.’ Nobody CARES what Unitarian Universalists think, or even know who you are.”

   He said it in the kindest way possible, and it was a gloriously humbling moment.

   Comment by Rev E — March 27, 2008 #

6. I actually like both the UCC and UUA campaigns… It reminded me once again that I need to check out a UCC church some time for a change of pace. I hear they are pretty liberal… some of my ex-Catholic friends recently joined a UCC… This ex-Catholic loves the spirited debates at my UU church during coffee hour between services. Even if I have nothing to say, listening to all the excited chatter inspires me with hope…

   Comment by Mars Girl — March 27, 2008 #

7. I found the UCC campaign quite moving - and clever. The “Ejector seat” ad was particularly good. I particularly liked the narrative on the ads that said,

   “The United Church of Christ. No matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re welcome here.” (Text overlay: “God is still speaking.”)

   There are aspects of ours that I like too. I like the fact that we are starting to talk about who we are in terms that those seeking a different kind of spiritual home can identify with.

   Indeed, we are still speaking. Or perhaps, we are speaking anew.

   Jeff

   Comment by Jeff May — March 28, 2008 #

8. For no particular reason, I’ll throw a slogan suggestion out there:

   UUA: Joining the future…together.

   Comment by Citizen — March 28, 2008 #

9. So if the UCC says that God is still speaking and you are suggesting that the UUA is still speaking does that mean via the transitive property that the UUA is God?

   Maybe what we need is a joint campaign for all progressive Christians (yes, I realized some UUAs are not Christian, but progressive Christians accept that there are more paths than Christianity). We are all trying in our non-abrasive, clever without being too snarky way to tell the world that not all religious practice involves authoritative/authoritarian answers. Indeed some of us love the questions and are comfortable with ambivalence and the journey.

   We progressives DO have a lot to offer a hurting world, we should indeed still be talking…shouting even

   Comment by Ian Lynch — March 28, 2008 #

10. Oops, I forgot to point out that I’m a closet unitarian, ultimately universalist UCC clergy.

    I’ll also take the opportunity to suggest a visit to The Center for Progressive Christianity web site

    Comment by Ian Lynch — March 28, 2008 #

11. Two of the Episcopal congregations to which I have belonged have been members of the Center for Progressive Christianity. All y’all may know about it, but just in case:
    http://www.tcpc.org

    Yeah, it’s Christian, so it won’t suit everyone, but have a look. The “8 points” explaining the definition of “Progressive Christianity” are here:
    http://www.tcpc.org/about/8points.cfm

    Comment by Jane R — March 28, 2008 #

12. Hank - that’s a good idea. “Is CHURCH keeping you from God” or “Is CHURCH keeping you from Church” makes a lot more sense to me than what the UUA Campaign is. I’d bet there are lots of people who are inclined to be UUs (imo), but it’s institutionalized religion that they are wary of, not God.

    Comment by h sofia — March 28, 2008 #

13. Yes, “Is CHURCH keeping you from God” or “Is CHURCH keeping you from Church” are both really interesting suggestions.

    Comment by SMG — April 4, 2008 #

Leave a comment