| Letter from Laurel |
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Dear friends,
I’m Laurel Hallman and I want to be the next President of the UUA.
I am running because I believe the very future of Unitarian Universalism hinges on our ability to claim who we are as faithful individuals in covenanted congregations in our time. As UUA President, I will lead our members and our Association out of our isolation, to build stronger connections within our congregations and in our communities.
I believe that our Unitarian Universalist congregations exist to: --remind us how we can live in right relationship with the holy, with our deepest selves and with one another. I believe that the UUA must model these relationships as we use our resources to benefit our congregations, and in the intentional living of our highest values. --call us from self-absorbed isolation. I believe Unitarian Universalism is called to reclaim the democratic process and civil dialogue as spiritual disciplines, in the company of companion faith traditions. Humbled by the complexity of human relationships and challenged by the possibility of their redeeming power, I believe we must embody the change we imagine, inside and outside our congregations. --challenge us to claim the liberating power of our religion in all ages and stages and circumstances of life, even when it's hard. I believe that we need to be disciples as we live our free faith: in our gratitude and in our actions. Then our liberating acts will truly come from the heart. My decision to be a candidate for UUA President is deeply rooted in my personal experience of this liberating power. As a young adult I found a soul enriching, life fulfilling faith when I walked into a Unitarian Universalist church and heard a minister of depth and social conscience preach a religion I had not imagined possible. It changed my life. Living and serving in a Bible Belt city as the Senior Minister at First Unitarian, Dallas, I hear people ask me “Are you saved?” I say “Yes” because I was freed by my Universalist ancestors from a narrow and judgmental God to live the good news of freedom from tyranny in every form in every place. I have been saved, and I know what our faith can do to liberate lives and free the oppressed. I serve the cause of liberation because of it. For 26 years I have helped people find depth in their spiritual lives, find strength in their associations with others, and claim their power as religious liberals. Out of this experience, I can lead our 1,000 plus congregations into a new era of strength, effectiveness and holy joy.
Please visit the Laurel Hallman for UUA President booth at the 2008 GA exhibit area. I welcome your feedback, your ideas, your assistance and look forward to meeting you.
~ Laurel Hallman |
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