First Parish Bedford UU

"The Presence of the Past"

Rev John Gibbons preaching

New Member Sunday

In our service on April 26, we'll be welcoming new members to First Parish and I've chosen to preach on "The Presence of the Past."  I'm not sure what I'll have to say, but I want to reflect on the ways we integrate our past religious identity with our current identity as UU members of First Parish.  I don't think we ask or expect people to relinquish their identities as Catholics, Jews, atheists or whatever....and yet we also claim a new identity as UU's.  This isn't always easy.  Sometimes particular words are hot buttons: prayer, worship, God, faith, etc.  There are layers of meaning and identity.

As sermon fodder, I welcome your thoughts.  I welcome brief reflections on your past and present religious identity.  If you're brimming over and have a brief something you'd like to say aloud as part of the service, that's welcome too.  If you prefer anonymity, that's fine too.

Let me know.  What part of your religious past is (or is not) still part of your religious present?

Appreciatively,
John