On September 15th, we reflected on three important concepts that can guide our faith and community life: invitation, covenant, and rejoining. These themes are not only central to our Unitarian Universalist (UU) identity but also act as stepping stones toward building a more inclusive and just world. Let’s explore what each of these ideas means for us today.
Invitation: Opening the Door to Possibility
When we think of invitation, it’s more than just asking someone to attend a service or join our fellowship. It’s an opportunity to introduce others to what we’ve found in our UU community—a place where we are all seekers of individual truth.
Who do we invite, and how? We know people in our lives who are searching for meaning—people who believe there must be more to faith than a one-size-fits-all approach. These individuals are perfect candidates for Unitarian Universalism, where each person’s truth is valued and celebrated.
But invitation doesn’t stop with newcomers. As the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) reminds us, we must extend that invitation to those already in our fold. The call to live more deeply into our faith is ongoing, especially as we confront pressing issues like racial violence and inequality. We are continually invited to engage in the work of building the Beloved Community—a community rooted in justice, equity, and love.
Covenant: The Promise We Make to Each Other
The second concept, covenant, is at the heart of how we engage with one another in our UU tradition. Our covenant is the promise we make to affirm and promote our shared values. It’s a sacred commitment, one that goes beyond passive belief and calls us into active participation.
Covenants differ from dogma. Unlike rigid doctrines handed down by a higher authority, covenants are agreements we make together, as equals. They bind us not through fear or obligation but through love and mutual respect. When we covenant with one another, we promise to walk side by side, addressing the challenges of our world with shared purpose.
Covenant groups offer us a tangible way to live out this promise. These groups allow us to come together, reflect on our values, and work on solutions to societal issues that affect us all. Let us seize the opportunity to build stronger connections and make a real difference.
Rejoining: Strengthening Our Commitment to Each Other
Finally, rejoining is the call to come back together, to reunite as a community committed to justice, equity, and interdependence. Rejoining is about renewing our commitment to the work that lies ahead, especially as we reflect on where we’ve been and where we need to go.
At the recent UU General Assembly, the concept of rejoining was central to the discussions around adopting the Eighth Principle, which places love at the center of our values. These values include justice, interdependence, generosity, and equity, alongside the crucial components of transformation and pluralism.
Rejoining also requires us to reflect on moments of tragedy and loss. As we remember those lost on September 11, 2001, we are reminded that hate and violence continue to plague our world. It is for this reason that we must come together as a force for good, demonstrating through our actions that we believe in a future of peace, justice, and equity for all.
Moving Forward Together
Our path forward as Unitarian Universalists is clear. We are called to invite, to covenant, and to rejoin in the work of transforming our world. This work is not easy, but it is essential. Together, we can build a more inclusive, equitable, and loving society—a society that reflects the values we hold dear.
So, let us take up the challenge. Let us extend invitations with open hearts. Let us strengthen our covenants with one another. And let us rejoin in the ongoing work of building the Beloved Community.
May our efforts today lay the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.
Interested in Learning More About UU?
Come visit us on Sunday mornings at 10AM for weekly service at Huber Chapel at 5 Real Rd. If you're looking for a progressive church in Bakersfield, CA, we'd love to meet you!
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