The Chalice

The Jim and I have returned from a powerful and meaningful experience with our TVUUC family tonight.  For the first time, in a very long time, I let down my guard and my fears of being hurt and I truly reached out and held others in return.  TVUUC is a place that continues to teach me how to be a loving advocate for hope in this world and to work very hard to find mutual understanding and connection.  There was support there from so many in Knoxville and so many various walks of life and faith…all there…united together.  For anyone who has any misconceptions about UU, let me tell you – I am a Lutheran UU.  I have my masters degree in clinical counseling psychology and pastoral counseling.  I believe there are many paths to the truth and I value everyone’s personal search for that meaning.  NO matter what you may hear in the days to come, know this…we are a community of people who care and love and live in the hope that the world will learn to fully do the same and Greg McKendry is a hero (in more ways that just what you will know and what I am able to express right now).  We are Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Islamic, Agnostic, Scientific and more…and yet, we were there – together – candles lit from one another sharing the hope that in the end, LOVE is what will help us all (all of us in this world), survive whatever horror each day brings.

Work to promote that sense of love.  Breathe it each day of your life.

To my TVUUC family, I love you and thank you for loving me despite myself and thank you…God above for loving me always.   The Jim and I thank you for being here in this community and for being TVUUC.