First

We light this flame for Unitarian Universalism.
This is the faith of the loving heart. (Hands cross over heart.)
This is the faith of the thinking mind. (Index fingers move to temples.)
This is the faith of the helping hands. (Hands lay palm-up in front of you.)

Hey, it's a first post! You found it.

I'm not following any of the blogging advice and am jumping in rather without an end goal in mind. Certainly without a business plan. Maybe without the good sense to wait until morning and see if this still seems like a good idea.

Well, the domain name has been purchased, so here we go! Two weeks ago, I was interviewed on our local NPR station about unschooling, which is the particular style of homeschooling that works best for me and my family, and which is unusual enough to warrant a short feature on the news every now and again. (The story is here, if you're curious.) As I was doing the interview, I realized I couldn't talk to the reporter without feeling the little flame I carry for UUism flicker to life in my heart. Similarly, I can't lead a Sunday School class or tell a story during worship without calling on all I know to be right and true about the very best education being grounded in dignity, freedom, love, and respect for the individual, a belief that led me to leave classroom teaching and start homeschooling.

In short, Unitarian Universalism and homeschooling are partnered up in my heart and mind, and I thought that shared terrain might be rich enough to explore with others.

I don't know where this blog will go. Learning is messy. Faith is messy. Kids are messy. I do not foresee a linear presentation. But, I can tell you that I'll aim for consistency and creativity. Inclusive is high on my list of things to be. I have some ideas about light structures that might make it easier for you and me to make the most of this blog. And whatever else the blog does, I hope it spreads love and justice. That, to me, is what it all comes back to.

Be well, friends, and carry the flame!





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

December's Blending

Image
Many UU families, for a variety of reasons, take a blended and eclectic approach to December, mixing secular and religious customs, as well as family-of-origin, borrowed, and newly created traditions. Susan Katz, Miller author of Being Both: Embracing Two Religions in One Interfaith Family , argues that there is great benefit in these blended and eclectic approaches to ritual, celebrations, shared belief systems, and observances. The families she interviewed conscientiously created rich and meaningful experiences where their children were doubly-blessed with two faith heritages rather than feeling pulled to one or the other, or removed entirely from a religions perspective that they could claim. (Katz Miller was the featured speaker at this year's national conference for UU religious educators, and found in that audience many with whom her ideas strongly resonated.) Within the framework of both/and, a UU homeschooler can go in a lot of directions this month, inspired by t...
Read more

When I Want to Protest and They Don't

Image
This morning was cold, cloudy, and wet. I packed a few things in the car as the homeschoolers slept--a blanket, the day bag, a bottle of water, my protest sign. I checked my wallet: yes, I had $5. (I'd be stopping shortly for a half-dozen donuts at a new local shop on the way.) When I woke them, I mentioned the donuts first. They were excited. Donuts are a treat for us.  I helped them bundle up. "After we get donuts, I'm going to join a protest," I said. "You're welcome to come stand with me, or stay in the car at eat." "Will you park as close as you can," asked the 11 year old, "in case we need you?" Yes, of course.  When we pulled up, there were only a few people there, all adults, hands shoved in pockets, faces tucked into scarves and upturned collars. The mood was serious. The family who was being targeted for deportation had arrived with their lawyer. A few others, including the ministers of the church where the f...
Read more

Birthday stories

Image
It's a special day in the fall of 2006, the first anniversary of the birth of my first child. There are no lights on in the large, colorful room where the baby and I sit cross-legged on the floor, but the afternoon sun is streaming in through the windows. Sitting in a great circle around us are two dozen friends--children, youth, and adults. Before us is a small blue chalice and a tiny, flickering flame. We wait for the sign. Then, the room begins to sing. Their song dances around in the air, and the baby is mesmerized. Voices high and low lift and waver, whisper and shout. The singing stops, and the silence gathers. Then, one by one, those in the circle make offerings to the baby, raising hands to share in turn wishes, compliments, and memories. The wishes are sweet and simple as well as humorous and elaborate, offered by 5 year olds and 15 year olds and 58 year olds. The compliments go to the core of who they understand this child to be. And the memories are of moments of shared...
Read more