Many of you know that November and December were “Bring-A-Friend” months. Well, December’s winding to a close, and this will be the last regular service before the holidays. And I have a confession to make: I didn’t bring a friend. 

I wanted to. I whole-heartedly endorse the concept of “Bring-A-Friend.” I know any number of people who I think would respond to what goes on here. I faithfully read Art Brewers suggestions each month in Horizons about what I could do to let others know about Unitarian Universalism. I read his ideas and think, “hey, I could do that.” 

But seven Sundays have passed, and I’ve not brought anyone. 

I guess there are two reasons. The first is that I’m genuinely uncomfortable identifying myself as a churchgoer. Although I was raised Anglican (both of my grandfathers were Anglican bishops, for Pete’s sake), I never really connected with the church, and, beyond the obligatory semi-annual visits, it was not a big part of my life. Most of the people I knew who went to church regularly and actually talked about it, were so earnest as to make me uncomfortable. They just seemed weird to me. And, as I grew older, and became more socially and politically aware, I found plenty of new reasons to distrust organised religion. 

But this place is different. Unitarian Universalism is different. I know this, but I’ve yet to figure out how to communicate it with others. I think I expect them to turn me off the minute I mention church – the same way I’ve turned off Mormons and Holy Rollers when they tried to talk to me about Jesus. So I figure I’ve got about 7 seconds to explain and convince them that my religion is different. And that’s where I get blocked, so, most of the time I just don’t talk about it. That’s the second reason: I just don’t know what to say.

I think one of the reasons I like being a worship leader so much is that it’s an opportunity to connect with people who are new here or who are checking us out. I don’t have to worry that you’re turning me off; you came because you wanted to hear, because your ears and minds are open. As a worship leader, I get to demonstrate how powerful and important spiritual practise and membership in this community can be. 

The first time I came here, I wasn’t looking for religion, or at least I didn’t know I was. You know how sometimes you don’t realise you’ve lost something until you find it. This was like that. I just felt this immediate connection and wanted to do whatever I could to keep it. I’m not even sure what it was (although Donna’s sermon that morning so closely resembled my stance on social responsibility that I almost wondered if my phone was tapped), but one thing after another during that hour moved me almost to the point of tears. I wanted more, so I just kept coming back. 

This place is important to me, and a part of me feels like I’m cheating my friends by not letting them know about it. But I’m not good at evangelizing – I’m getting a bit better, but I’ve still got a long way to go. 

In the mean time, I take satisfaction in the knowledge – or at least the hope – that my contribution as worship leader is helping others who find there way here make the same connection I did.

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