The last several years of pandemic and social polarization have exposed frayed places and holes in the fabric of church-business-as-usual. This is true across congregations and faith traditions. Though shared ministry existed before these times, it has emerged as a powerful antidote to congregational and denominational splintering. However, our cultural norms (Western and UU) and previous ways of doing things can disrupt efforts to move forward. Mutual aid is a model of collectivism that can inform shared ministry beyond the capitalistic, individualistic limitations of those ingrained ideals. When everyone contributes according to their ability, and everyone receives according to their need, the whole thrives, and no one has to burn out to make it so. When we learn to do this in our immediate communities, it becomes easier to imagine – and create – a world where such a way of life is possible.
With Rev. Steven Leigh Williams, Guest Minister
Rev. Steven Leigh Williams (he/they) has been serving communities (UU and beyond) through pastoral care, solidarity work, and radical love-centered organizing since 2013. Before that, he worked in community education in the arenas of sexuality, intercultural understanding, and Holocaust awareness. His UU resume includes years of youth ministry and faith formation for all ages. Currently, he has a healthcare job that pays the bills and does part-time pastoral care work with UPLIFT trans and non-binary ministries at the UUA. Rev. Steven’s UU values center them in movements for collective liberation, including antiracism, LGBTQIA liberation, disability justice, youth empowerment, and economic justice. They believe that Love at the center necessarily prioritizes people at the margins. Rev. Steven currently resides in Broken Arrow, OK with his spouse Karyn, their two young adult kids, and a trio of pets.
Topics: Community, Hope, Imagination