First Unitarian Universalist Church of New Orleans in New Orleans

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  NAMAYA ART-RAT-FOR-PEACE

  :: 23 February 2018 19:59:10

  Unitarians in NOLA not so welcoming. I had mostly enjoyed my periodic visits to the UU Church in NOLA over the past two year, but after the service this past Sunday on 18 February and I realized I no longer belonged there. It is often a challenge to get guests into a church. It is more difficult to get them to remain and be part of the community. And after this incident on the 18th of February I cannot endorse anyone from visiting the NOLA UU. At the end of the service, when people were turning to their coffee and refreshments. I said, “Excuse me I would like to read a short poem about the killing in Florida.” Then Paul Beedle the minister who was leaving the dais, came up and tried to give me a body block, and said, “No, you cannot speak!” I then stood on the step and read this poem. About love and forgiveness and the loss of the 17 people in Florida. “LIGHT A CANDLE” Florida and the nation is ablaze with anger, candles, and prayers… I add my candles and prayers for the victims. And, I light a candle for Nikolas Cruz the shooter I light a candle for souls twisted in pain and delusion, For the hundreds and thousands more driven to despair -- held in the terror of their madness. I light a candle for their pain It is so easy to hate those held with hate. It is too easy to love, those bound with kindness. But how do we love the hateful? How do we embrace the hated and hold them in the arms of possibility? How do we love that which we find the most odious, detestable, and repulsive? How do we find our way back to love? How do we embrace the enigma and paradox of love? One man, got in my face and screamed “You leave my church immediately! You have violated my church! “And then did a body block to stop me from the door. (He later apologized for overreacting) He compared the reading of the poem to an invasion of the anti-abortionists The Minister, who screamed “This is a breach of decorum! Never come back here. You are not welcome here!” I extended my hand to shake it and he stormed off. I did not realize and thirty-five line poem on love, compassion and forgiveness could be so unsettlingly. I walked to the back of the church to leave and several people quietly said, “Thank you.” I had been inspired to attend UU by an incident in Vermont 15 years ago. A man Robert Woodward who was very anxious and paranoid came into the church, and the congregation stopped and helped this young man and calmed him down. That was until the police came in and executed the man in cold blood. The UU community continued to speak out for justice for him. I’ve read poems at churches, synagogues and all kind of venue around the globe. This is the first time that anyone has so forcefully objected. This is strange. I hope that in the future, someone who has something to say, that there is openness. I am deeply disappointed by the UU Church in NOLA and the minister and congregant. There are many positive elements at the UU, but this kind of behavior is not something I would expect. Yet, I have known many fine and sincere Unitarians elsewhere. I hope that in the future, the UU NOLA treat all guests with respect and consideration. Even poets and people you may disagree with.

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  Mechelle Murphy-Morris

  :: 29 July 2017 18:09:45

  Perfect!!

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  Randal Ott Espinoza

  :: 30 August 2015 16:19:18

  My partner and I have found this historical faith community warmly welcoming and deeply meaningful since we moved to New Orleans two months ago. Possibly due to the city's strong Catholic influence, it seems more liturgical and spirit-minded than our last congregation, which was more protestant-influenced and humanist-focused. Although this may seem strange to UUs visiting from other parts of the country, I consider it a welcome and refreshing shake-up to my personal experience of Unitarian Universalism. With children's Religious Education/Exploration classes, special-interest covenant groups, and strong ties with other local UU congregations and organizations, First Church has been a wonderful home and family for worship and spiritual development.

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  Kim Ford

  :: 30 June 2015 20:45:39

  Gulf South Rising!!!!

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  Lloyd Angelo

  :: 24 June 2015 04:54:37

  I have not had an experience with this particular faith but, it sounds like they have the same mindset and understanding of God and religion as I have come to know. Love your fellow man, respect the opinions of others and most importantly believe in something of a higher power than we can ever imagine. We ate all interconnected with everything on this planet and possibly our entire universe.