For those who don t know me well, let me give myself a quick introduction. I am

Transcription

1 CREDO July Doug Sea For those who don t know me well, let me give myself a quick introduction. I am 59, a Kettering Ohio native. I grew up Episcopalian with an identical twin I grew up fighting and arguing with, honing skills I still put to good use. I was a nerd in high school, debate team and staying up late to watch the Watergate hearings were my ideas of excitement. I came to North Carolina in 1974 to get away from my brother and to attend UNC. I graduated from UNC law school in 1980, and have been working for nonprofits providing legal aid to low income folks ever since, mostly suing the NC state government on behalf of children, the disabled, and the elderly, which as you can imagine keeps me pretty busy. I have lived in charlotte since 1984 which was when I married June Blotnick. We have a son and daughter, ages 26 and 21. I have been a member of this church since the mid 80s. The last time I gave this talk was about 15 years ago; the program was called This I Believe. I remember saying that day I had originally joined this church because I didn t have to believe in anything religious but after being here a while I had actually found a lot I could believe in. I also quoted Joseph Campbell s words to Bill Moyers, that for me religion had become less about what I believe and more

2 about what I experience. Both of these statements are still true for me fifteen years later. I don t look to religion to supply answers to ultimate questions. But when I am open and patient and humble enough (not exactly 3 of my strengths) liberal religion has offered me opportunities to experience wonder, a deep connection to all that is, the transcendent. This church also has provided an amazing community for me and my family, has challenged me to better live my values and keep working for justice, and has provided a nurturing environment for me to develop spiritual practices, practical tools for coping with the existential condition. My religious experience here has many times given me a much needed boost of life affirming hope and purpose. This church often has inoculated me against the darkness, my temptation in times of difficulty or disconnection to surrender to alienation, insignificance, the inevitability of loss and death. When the darkness descends I have too often furthered my downward spiral with self isolation, escapism, trying to numb myself to the pain. Liberal religion at its best has repeatedly called me back to life, rekindling my connection with community, joy, and meaning. Let me say a little about some ways that has happened.

3 When I started attending this church over 30 yrs ago it was mostly because I wanted to sing in the choir, having not sung since I was a boy soprano. I showed up for rehearsal here one Wednesday, and before long before singing was the most important spiritual practice in my life. The safety and support I found here led me to singing with Oratorio Singers, Opera Carolina, and in other venues. And It was because this church provided a connection between music and the soul that singing became spiritual for me. The amazing thing about the voice as an instrument is that it can call forth the deepest parts of ourselves. In finding my voice, literally, I learned I could on rare occasions draw from the music a beauty and richness that leave rational description wanting, touching an ineffable timeless magic I have found only in nature or the arts. It was during the 90 s that my dear friend, the late Tim Lemmond, who I met in choir here, persuaded me to help with our annual church follies. Follies may not seem very spiritual to you but during my several years in that show I discovered three things in myself that have been real life savers for me. One, I loved being on stage (including once in a dress as Julia Child), Two I loved creative writing, and Three I could make people laugh. Writing and performing

4 song parodies is still a big part of my life, from birthday parties to bar conventions to a few songs in Charlotte Squawks. Having this creative outlet has made me a much less serious and oppressive person to be around. They say laughter will lift your spirits and I think we should take that literally. As UUs we are too damned serious too often. Let s not let the evangelicals corner the market on joy. Speaking of writing, it was also through this church that my writing deepened. I started writing poetry here under the tutelage of the late Henry Berne, a superb poet who relentless encouraged my meager talents. Then I took Kathleen Maloney Tarr s class here, Writing your Spiritual Journey, and it was one of my very best decisions. My writing group, made up of graduates of her class, means more to me than I can express. Some of the words that flow through me in that space come from a place so deep it feels primordial, from a long buried soul. That writing led to the two sermons I was asked to give here, both of which were warmly received by so many of you. But I need to share the credit with Henry, with Kathleen, with Jay, with all of you. Without this community, none of this would have happened.

5 It was after one of my sermons that I received a comment I will never forget. It s still ringing in my ears as I stand here. The wonderfully frank Phyllis Bertke walked up and asked me, So Doug, are you going to DO any of this or are you just talking? When you come right down to it, that question is at the heart of the matter. I know what feeds my soul, leads me to the light, helps me feel alive and free, reigniting my senses of wonder and adventure. It s music, art, laughter, writing, nature, wilderness, physical exercise, dancing, mentoring, literature, history, science, travel, cooking for friends, generosity, human touch and connection. Easy enough to list but how often am I doing them? Too often I settle for work, home, routine, safety, inertia, habit, cynicism, rationalizations not to live more fully. That s why spiritual practices are called disciplines. We have to keep at them long enough to change our brain patterns. This requires commitment, mindfulness, will. Of course we can t sing and laugh and write and hike all day long. It would get old anyway. The trick is to find a balance work AND play, rest and activity, serious and silly, going inward and outward, caring about the world but letting go, helping others without controlling them, keeping commitments but being open to change, planning and spontaneity, loving with detachment. It s a complex dance

6 with mistakes and unintended consequences at every step, but no matter, the music is calling us onto the floor.