First Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Second Life (FUUCSL)<\/p>\n
Thursday, September 18, 2014<\/p>\n
6:30PM SL Time (Pacific Standard Time)<\/p>\n
Leading the service: Sofia Freenote
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\u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Welcome to the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Second Life.<\/p>\n An Order of Service is available by saying \u00e2\u20ac\u0153oos\u00e2\u20ac\u009d in chat.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n For visitors, a special welcome.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n If you are not familiar with Unitarian Universalism (“UU”), a single service is not enough<\/p>\n to experience the diversity of ideas and styles of interaction that we offer,<\/p>\n either here in SL or in RL. \u00c2\u00a0Please come again.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n You might also wish to look at UUA.org. or consider joining the group<\/p>\n Unitarian Universalists of SL to receive regular announcements.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Also please check out fuucsl.org, our web site.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n We are always looking for members of our community who wish to get more involved.<\/p>\n If you would like to try your hand at leading a service,<\/p>\n please contact a member of the Leadership Group \u00e2\u20ac\u201c<\/p>\n their names are available in the notecard dispenser in the welcome area.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n If you are interested in renting residential property in UUtopia, contact Zyzzy Zarf.<\/p>\n If you are interested in becoming a voting member of our congregation, IM me and I will reply after the service.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Please join us after the service for coffee and conversation \u00e2\u20ac\u201c a venerable UU tradition!<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Are there any other announcements<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Lighting the Chalice and Opening Words**<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n WE come together this morning to<\/p>\n remind one another<\/p>\n To rest for a moment on the<\/p>\n forming edge of our lives,<\/p>\n To resist the headlong tumble<\/p>\n into the next moment,<\/p>\n Until we claim for ourselves<\/p>\n Awareness and Gratitude,<\/p>\n Taking the time to look into<\/p>\n one another\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s faces<\/p>\n And see there communion: the<\/p>\n reflection of our own eyes.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n This house of laughter<\/p>\n and silence, memory and hope,<\/p>\n is hallowed be our presence<\/p>\n together.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Joys and Concerns **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Now let us prepare our hearts to receive the joys and concerns,<\/p>\n hopes and sorrows, fears and dreams of one another.<\/p>\n If there is something that has recently happened to you, happy or sad,<\/p>\n and you would like to share it with us, now is the time.<\/p>\n We invite you to share your joys and concerns in chat, when you are ready.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Offering **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n A freewill offering is a sacrament of a free Church.<\/p>\n This fellowship is supported by the voluntary generosity of all who join with us.<\/p>\n There is an offering plate in the pool in front of us.<\/p>\n Please be generous in support of this UU fellowship.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Musical Interlude**<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n **Reflection**<\/p>\n Saving the Earth<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Well meaning people say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153we need to save the earth\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n I think they have missed the target.<\/p>\n Yes, we are expecting significant climate changes.<\/p>\n But no, the earth will still be here.<\/p>\n It will be changed. \u00c2\u00a0It is continually changing.<\/p>\n What does it mean when people say we need to save the earth?<\/p>\n What are we urged to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153save\u00e2\u20ac\u009d?<\/p>\n I argue that this is a very conservative call to arms,<\/p>\n that what we are saving is our way of life, our security, our civilization, our comforts.<\/p>\n It\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a desire to stop change. \u00c2\u00a0But as Bob Dylan said, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153the times they are a changing\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and they always are.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n What if we embraced the change and tried to see how to make a better world in concert with it.<\/p>\n Indeed that might be our only option because<\/p>\n I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve read that even if we stopped carbon emissions dead in its tracks, the change has already occurred<\/p>\n and will continue to occur. \u00c2\u00a0It seems it is too late.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The spiritual virtue that applies in situations like this is \u00e2\u20ac\u0153acceptance\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n Stop struggling against the change.<\/p>\n Accept it and make the best of it.<\/p>\n What I am suggesting is that we \u00e2\u20ac\u0153mitigate\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the consequences of Climate Change<\/p>\n rather than futilely try to stop it in its tracks.<\/p>\n We need to see what we can do to make sure that the harm is minimized<\/p>\n and that the positive opportunities are cultivated.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Minimize the harm.<\/p>\n To me that means that the first world should not be so concerned with preserving our affluence<\/p>\n but we need to share more radically with those who will be most affected<\/p>\n \u00e2\u20ac\u201c sub-Saharan Africa; Bangladesh, the Middle East, etc.<\/p>\n Both globally and inside the USA, there will be great migrations of peoples as lands<\/p>\n become unlivable.<\/p>\n Other lands will become new frontiers.<\/p>\n Populations will need to be moved and supported.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Consider the first tickle of the new migrations \u00e2\u20ac\u201c<\/p>\n Africans coming to Europe; Central Americans coming to the USA.<\/p>\n We haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t been treating them too well.<\/p>\n The chaos and political instability in their home countries often has a basis in the lack of water or other climate changes.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s a radical idea.<\/p>\n I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t think climate change will be all bad.<\/p>\n I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m confident it will bring some positive opportunities. \u00c2\u00a0Siberia and northern Canada will become new breadbaskets.<\/p>\n They will have new affluence and will need new immigrant farmers.<\/p>\n Wherever the economy is expanding because of climate change,<\/p>\n there will be a need for new workers.<\/p>\n Because first world birthrates are declining,<\/p>\n these new immigrants will be the key to continued prosperity in their new homelands,<\/p>\n as well as a better life for the individuals affected.<\/p>\n Opening our hearts and homelands to<\/p>\n people different from ourselves is the right thing to do.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n This summer at Chautauqua, I heard a population biologist speaking.<\/p>\n He asserted that many population models are now indicating that as a result of the transition to middle class<\/p>\n (lower fertility) in much of the world,<\/p>\n world population will plateau at 9 billion about 2100 and then decline or level off.<\/p>\n The good news it that we are not facing exponentially increasing population (which we feared in the 1970s)<\/p>\n but that what we have is a difficult transition to negotiate.<\/p>\n This makes all the difference \u00e2\u20ac\u201c it is still a difficult problem but not impossible.<\/p>\n I believe that much effort needs to be focused on making sure that the pain of that transition<\/p>\n does not just fall on the least fortunate.<\/p>\n Our moral challenge is to be able to give up some of our comfort and affluence<\/p>\n so that they are not the only ones bearing the cost of the changes we have all made to the environment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n What can I do about this?<\/p>\n What can we do as UUs?<\/p>\n This is going to be the basis for our discussion, following.<\/p>\n Here are a few of my thoughts:<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n * As an individual, continue to do everything possible to reduce my carbon footprint.<\/p>\n We may not be able to stop climate change,<\/p>\n but it may be possible to slow it down.?<\/p>\n * As UUs, support the efforts of the UUSC (Unitarian Universalist Service Committee)<\/p>\n The UUSC advances human rights and social justice around the world, partnering<\/p>\n with those who confront unjust power structures and mobilizing to<\/p>\n challenge oppressive policies.<\/p>\n UUSC envisions a world free from oppression and injustice, where all can realize their full human rights.<\/p>\n This is a great place to pool our efforts and spend some of our affluence so that others will have better lives.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n * Understand immigration issues as part of a much larger issue of social justice<\/p>\n and support efforts that manifest our values politically.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n * As members of FUUCSL, support our Kiva micro-finance lending program<\/p>\n (there is a card giver in the walkway behind the sanctuary).<\/p>\n This is where we can share our affluence with those who have less and deserve more.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n * Do not be seduced by old paradigms.<\/p>\n Yes, it feels good to get on the bus and wave a picket sign,<\/p>\n but every time I hear someone say \u00e2\u20ac\u0153we need to save the world\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, I cringe.<\/p>\n The world does not need saving. \u00c2\u00a0It will be okay.<\/p>\n I know the point of demonstrations is to make the world aware of a problem in the hopes that \u00e2\u20ac\u0153someone\u00e2\u20ac\u009d will pay attention and fix it.<\/p>\n Well, I believe that we are already sufficiently aware of the problem\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6<\/p>\n .to paraphrase Pogo, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We have seen the problem and it is us\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.<\/p>\n What we need, I believe, are practical steps to work through this period of change<\/p>\n while mitigating the harm that will come to the least protected amongst us.<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n Discussion?<\/p>\n Any other ideas about how to effectively mitigate the effects of climate change<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Closing words and Extinguishing the Chalice **<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n We extinguish this flame but not the light of truth,<\/p>\n The warmth of community,<\/p>\n Or the fire of commitment.<\/p>\n These we carry in our hearts until<\/p>\n We are together again.<\/p>\n – Elizabeth Selle Jones<\/p>\n \u00c2\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n ** Coffee Hour & Dancing **<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" First Unitarian Universalist Congregation, Second Life (FUUCSL) Thursday, September 18, 2014 6:30PM SL Time 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