Connections
  Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax                      Jul. 30, 2012                        Volume 52, Number 12  
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website: uucf.org

 

 

 

 

 

In This Issue

 

Faith
"Faith Matters" Blog
Our Spiritual Journey: The Global Edition  

Summer Minister 
John Monroe 

When I first started reading books about Buddhism, it seemed so strange.

 

Not only did I need to wrap my mind around some new and exotic ideas - emptiness, non-attachment, enlightenment - but I also had to navigate a lot of cultural variations that shaped how those ideas were expressed. The Buddhism of Tibet, for example, can be much more elaborate than that of China. And American Buddhism is something else altogether.

 

This is on my mind because next weekend I am preparing a sermon on yet another of the sources of our Unitarian Universalist tradition: "Wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life."

 

My sense is that this is one of the more difficult sources for us, because the religious and metaphorical language of other traditions can be a barrier, as it was for me when I was first studying Buddhism.

 

But my experience also taught me that it can be worth the effort. Over the years, Buddhism has become an important part of my religious identity, even though I still consider myself a beginner.

 

What has been your experience? In what ways have you been able to draw on other religious traditions in your own spiritual journey? I welcome any thoughts you would care to share. You can either post them here or email me.

 

- John Monroe 

 
JG
Congregational Treasure
Jennie Gemignani

Jennie and her daughter, Zoe, sorting donations at this year's Yard Sale. 

If you've encountered a seemingly endless bundle of ideas, energy and enthusiasm at UUCF, it's probably Jennie Gemignani. Most visible in her role as Auction chair the last two years, Jennie has also made lasting contributions to our Religious Exploration (RE) program and our 300+ children.

 

Jennie, along with Mia French, co-chaired the RE Committee from 2010-2012. Mia credits Jennie with spearheading the effort to bring RE teacher training to the digital age. Now, teacher materials, forms and other resources are all online and UUCF has "a YouTube video tour of the RE supply closet," says Mia.

 

Mia calls Jennie a "tremendous co-chair - so organized and efficient with innovative ideas and fearless optimism - such a great leader."

 

What's even more remarkable about these contributions is that Jennie served as RE Committee co-chair while she also chaired the Auction - one of the most demanding volunteer roles at UUCF. In 2010, Jennie apprenticed as Auction chair with Christine Stencel. Under the duo's leadership, the event netted $56,000. This past year, even a major power outage could not dim Jennie's spirit. UUCF Executive Director Rich Sider says "Jennie calmly maintained her 'the show must go on' approach to the crisis, and the held the live auction by candlelight."  

 

Rich says the UUCF Coordinating Team has been impressed with Jennie's energy and commitment to improving the Auction. "Every year she would look for new ways to bring in more people and more Auction items. We have been so lucky to have someone with Jennie's abilities leading the Auction team," he says.

 

With the Auction and RE Committee stints behind her, we can look forward to finding out where Jennie's talents will land next. Wherever that is, UUCF will be lucky to have her.

 

- Mary Lareau 

 
Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax
We are a liberal religious congregation whose mission is to transform  
ourselves, our community and the world through acts of love and justice.
 
 
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