Playing the Long Game: Emergent Strategies for UUs in Times of Change
At a recent gathering of area UU leaders in Wilmington, Delaware, last weekend, I was reminded of the work of adrienne maree brown. Her work in Emergent Strategy speaks to our faith as UUs in these times of social upheaval. I have been thinking about how we, as a congregation, can move forward in faith and hope. Several of her key ideas may serve as touchstones for us in the months ahead.
The first is that "change is constant." While that might seem obvious, I hold this up to remind us that while we seem to see only heartache and danger now, all that can change as the institutions of our country, including religion, start to organize and have impact.
The second is that "small is good." Decades ago, I subscribed to the philosophy of E. F. Schumacher, who wrote in his book, Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered, “Wisdom demands a new orientation of science and technology toward the organic, the gentle, the elegant and beautiful.” I do believe, as an article of faith, that real change starts at the local level, whether a town or a congregation or a family. We are already trying to live into a simpler reality.
And finally, I hold onto brown's principle that we need to "let complexity unfold." Too often we try to look beyond the moment before us and imagine, often ruefully, that all is lost. I do believe that all is not lost and that in time our path towards collective redemption will become obvious to us.
Hold on dear friends, we are still here, growing stronger and we will find a way. As I said last Sunday, we are playing the long game.
Yours always,
Rev. John
The first is that "change is constant." While that might seem obvious, I hold this up to remind us that while we seem to see only heartache and danger now, all that can change as the institutions of our country, including religion, start to organize and have impact.
The second is that "small is good." Decades ago, I subscribed to the philosophy of E. F. Schumacher, who wrote in his book, Small is Beautiful: Economics as if People Mattered, “Wisdom demands a new orientation of science and technology toward the organic, the gentle, the elegant and beautiful.” I do believe, as an article of faith, that real change starts at the local level, whether a town or a congregation or a family. We are already trying to live into a simpler reality.
And finally, I hold onto brown's principle that we need to "let complexity unfold." Too often we try to look beyond the moment before us and imagine, often ruefully, that all is lost. I do believe that all is not lost and that in time our path towards collective redemption will become obvious to us.
Hold on dear friends, we are still here, growing stronger and we will find a way. As I said last Sunday, we are playing the long game.
Yours always,
Rev. John
Posted in Minister\'s Minute