Minister’s Reflections Rev. Rod Debs September, 2009
“When you dream alone,
it is only a dream.
When we dream together,
it is the beginning of reality.”
–Dom Helder Camara
The genius of American initiative was articulated by Unitarian Ralph Waldo Emerson in his 1841 Essay, Self-Reliance: “Trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string.” His words ignited the imagination, not only of Unitarians and Universalists, but of a whole nation of innovators.
At the same time, it seems, individualistic Americans have become a very lonely people, lonely for others who will share “my dream” with me. Forceful at times. Demanding, when others “don’t get it.” Our private dreams compete against others’ private dreams. Each against all. Negotiating alliances. Struggling for the floor, for the air space, for control. Winning arguments. Losing relationships. Divorcing and going it alone. Dreaming alone.
The joy of Unitarian Universalist communities is not only that we covenant to affirm and promote the individual’s “right of conscience” and personal integrity, but that we covenant our mutual trust and support of one another’s individual dreams. Not only do we “trust thyself” as Emerson wrote, but we dare to trust one another’s genius because “every heart vibrates to that iron string.”
As a young UU, I plumbed the depth of my own honest thought and delighted in the UU religious community that would affirm my “right of conscience,” my private dreams. In community, UU faith matures. Our imaginations expand and we search out others’ dreams. Shared dreams.
It is unsatisfying to dream alone. Private dreams that remain only dreams. We are longing to dream together. “When we dream together, it is the beginning of reality.”
Dreams of shelter and meals with the homeless. Dreams of children joyful and exploring the world with beloved adults. Dreams of community visibility for this reality-based religious community. Dreams of a gazebo out front, portable classrooms in the vacant lot. Dreams of a sanctuary on the hill. Dreams of interfaith discussions on base. Dreams of UU campus groups. Dreams of UU art, theater and dance events. Dreams of solar energy. Dreams of community gardens and farmers’ markets. Dreams of packed Coffee House Live, Arts Live. Dreams of parenting cooperatives. Dreams of UUFEC camp-outs. Dreams of a popular public lecture series of liberal voices on the Emerald Coast. Dreams of lonely dreamers finding others who share their dreams.
We used to ask, what are your dreams? Perhaps it is now time to ask, what dreams do others share in common with you? Let their reality begin!
Blessings!
Rev. Rod Debs, pastor