Faith Developments

by Cheryll Wallace
I recently came across an article called “A Plan for Peace” in an old Ladies Home Journal magazine. I was attracted to it first of all because it was about Peace. I was also interested in it because it was written by Rick Warren--of The Purpose Driven Life fame. After I read the article, I remembered it because of Dr. Warren’s acronym for making PEACE personal in congregations so that it becomes a reality in the world.

The PEACE acronym I referred to earlier is a way for churches (people of faith) to make a difference in the world. I know that Dr. Warren is talking about Christian believers when he writes but I think that his principles could be used by UU’s to spread the good news of our saving faith as well.

PEACE:
P= Plant faith communities or Partner with faith communities
E= Equip servant (lay) leaders
A= Assist the poor
C= Care for the sick
E= Educate the next generation

If we want others to know about Unitarian Universalism we must Partner with other churches in our city so that they get to know about us. This means that our relationships with OTOC (Omaha Together One Community), the downtown churches, Habitat for Humanity Interfaith Coalition etc. are all vital activities. We can also be agents of change for the better in the world by continuing our relationship with our partner church in Romania as well as other partner relationships like the UUSC.

The world--local, national and international--needs leaders who practice the principles of a compassionate, tolerant, justice oriented faith. Our church can Equip, be a training ground, not only for leaders within the church but also for leaders who will take their faith into the world where it is needed. Christians aren’t the only ones who can put their faith into action.

According to the Warren article I read, “the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision suggests that millions of people in the world could begin to get out of poverty if someone would simply – give them a small loan – not a gift, but a loan – so that they could start a small business.” I know that there are many things we could do individually and as a congregation to Assist the poor in our own neighborhood. It is not only important for us to remain in this neighborhood because we have a historic old church that is our pride and joy….I think that it is important for us to stay here because there is much work to be done here and we are called to do it by our presence here.

Most of us have medical insurance and take such things for granted but I would venture to guess that there are many people who live in the neighborhoods around our church who do not have medical coverage. What can we do to Care for the sick and those needing medical assistance who live around the church? This year the UUSC is educating UU’s about safe drinking water issues in the US and abroad through Guest At Your Table and other programs. What can we do to help the cause?

The last part of Warren’s Plan For Peace is Educate the next generation. We often say the words: We drink from wells we did not dig and have been warmed by fires we did not build. This implies that we understand the importance of continued teaching about our religious heritage…not just to the children but to everyone since we all have the power to influence the generations who come after us. Education is not passive- it is intentional activity. How are we educating ourselves and those in our faith community to influence the world outside our doors?

There is much to be done. Let there be PEACE on earth…
and let it begin with me.
Cheryll

P.S. Warren’s book, The Purpose Driven Life, is listed in “100 Christian Books That Changed the 20 th Century.” Forbes magazine called it, “The best book on entrepreneurship, management, and leadership in print.” If you haven’t heard of it, go to www.purposedrivenlife.com to read more about Rick Warren and his work. He is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. He started the church in 1980 in his living room with his wife and one other family. Today the church has an average weekly attendance of 22, 000 people. According to his website, he and his wife give away 90% of their income through 3 foundations.

Cheryll Wallace is the religious educator at the First Unitarian Church in Omaha, Nebraska, and is a member of the Prairie Star District's Board of Directors.