I graduated from the youth group of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Vancouver in 1993. Then for several years I fell, like many, many others into a gap where our denomination seemed to have little to offer me. I did not attend church, but still considered myself to be Unitarian Universalist. I feel that our denomination has a responsibility to liberal youth and young adults, especially to the ones we have encouraged through their childhood.

Slowly, I eased back into congregational life when I moved to Berkeley to attend seminary, seeking an intergenerational community separate from school. With or without a church, the morals and ethics of Unitarian Universalism are part of who I am and how I make my way in the world.

If forced to categorize my theology I will claim to be a spiritual humanist, which, as far as I know, leaves me in an intimate circle of one. But I suspect there may be others. However, that is why I like Unitarian Universalists. I think to some degree we all feel like lone theologians who come together for the benefits of a community.

I am now a student of theology, but I still struggle in coming to terms with theism. I struggle with being in a Judeo-Christian tradition and feeling alienated by my lack of relationship to God, gods, goddesses. Yet, atheist doesn’t feel exactly right for me either.

I believe there is a force greater than me but not one that is at all separate from me. Divinity is all around me in life, in beauty, in nature and in connections between people. Life inspires me. Beauty inspires me. Inspire, at its root, means to bring in the spirit. Life, mine, yours and the birds’ outside all bring spirit into me. A community of thoughtful and tolerant seekers inspires me. Thank you for welcoming me into yours.