Faith Developments

by Kate Zabertini
Mention “Family Ministry” to a group of ten Unitarian Universalists and, in keeping with our UU caricature, five or more of them will hasten to interject that we mustn’t lose sight of those who do not live in families. “Remember those who are older, whose children are grown, those who are single, those who are…” This sentence could go on to name every possible status of an individual. And right we are to remember inclusion. But I wonder if we are not missing the point here. In naming all the ways that each of us is an individual we are only looking at one aspect of ourselves. And I would argue that this aspect is not the reason we come together in community.

We seek a religious community because we acknowledge the part of us that needs to be connected. We wish to share the experience of our search for truth and meaning. The beauty of our chosen faith is that each of us can do that without insisting that we all do it alike. But it doesn’t stop there. Just coming together to say that we are individuals defeats the purpose of our religious community. We come together to share our thoughts, insights, and struggles that others may support, learn, and engage with us.

Family Ministry means just that. Every person is part of a family regardless of one’s current living situation. And every person brings their family experience to the context of our religious community. Family Ministry embraces the reality that we bring the context of our lives as well as our individual selves to this religious community. A person who is younger and single does not have the same life context as one who is living with a life partner and children. An older adult may live alone, partnered, or with extended family. A partnered adult may attend our church alone. Sometimes needs and interests overlap for these people. Sometimes they do not. Family Ministry recognizes that our mission is to offer ways for people in families of every configuration to be intimately involved in the life of our church.

Family ministry says, “Bring it all.” Bring yourself and bring also the world in which you live. Perhaps that means bring the spouse and kids. Perhaps that means feel free to come alone. It most certainly means come; share yourself and your life. Let our Unitarian Universalist family enhance, support, uphold, and challenge you. Let our Unitarian Universalist faith reach your heart and your life. This faith insists on reason and justice and it is meant for the heart and soul. Family ministry means you. You are welcome here. You are wanted here. We want you to be part of our family.

Kate Zabertini is the Director of Religious Education at the First Unitarian Universalist Church of Rochester, Minnesota, and the PSD LREDA liaison to the district's Lifespan Faith Development Council.