Here follows part 2 of “Why Worship,” by the Rev. Alan Taylor from Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Oak Park, Illinois, one of this year’s Breakthrough Congregations. Part 1 can be read here.

Why Worship, part 2

by Rev. Alan Taylor

While every place where we walk is holy ground, there is something especially holy about the space where we come together, open our hearts and minds, and here reflect on our deepest concerns.

So much more is possible in a group because we are relational beings. Worship points us beyond ourselves. By coming together we open up possibilities unseen and not yet imagined.

Worship therefore offers hope, hope of healing, hope of reconciliation, hope of transformation, hope of overcoming the brokenness in our lives. Worship helps us remember there is more to our lives than our various concerns, struggles, and frustrations. Worship is an embodiment of the truth that we are not alone and that we as human beings are enough, that we have the spiritual resources to get through any challenge no matter how awful or trying.

Every human being must cope with loss, failure, and brokenness. In some ways, to really be alive, one cannot but confront failure and loss and one’s own sorrow time and again.

I know that I am not the only one who has known failure. And I know that a part of being human is learning to deal with the parts of our lives that are broken. It is a religious impulse that can admit to being broken and wanting wholeness.

In the words of people here:

* Why do anything? Well done worship can really provide a good source of truth and beauty.
* To meet new friends and to find peace in something larger than myself
* To expand my spiritual horizons. To increase my knowledge of mysticism. To be part of a community of people who love peace.
* Fellowship
* Spiritual enrichment and sense of community
* I come to get my week off to a spiritual start
* Without inner feelings, attempting to connect with others – I find common human hope, stories. So we can feel when we do good to ourselves – to others in the world.
* It centers me and makes me feel grateful. I can reflect on my purpose in this world.
* Because
* Looking for God
* To support and participate in community
* To stop and think
* To inquire
* I believe strongly in the principles of UU. There is always something in the service that strikes me.
* To help on my spiritual journey
* Community. Uplifting of spirit
* Why worship? To illuminate and celebrate my connection to creation and others
* To gain perspective. Show God recognition
* It helps me figure out who I am and what I can be doing
* To praise God!
* To get in touch with the spirit of life and love.
* Balance
* Centering – a chance to listen to like-minded people
* For inner balance
* To find wholeness in self, community, world and universe
* Fellowship
* To celebrate the power of the human spirit
* For a sense of belonging to something greater than myself
* Almost every Sunday, the service, or some part there of, causes me to leave wanting to be a better person, spouse, parent and neighbor
* To wake up, to light up, to question, to gather, to reflect, to embrace, to wonder, to believe, to learn
* To see if and what I’ve been missing
* Mother
* Connection, centering. Peace, community, connection
* To correct with those who wish to worship freely
* Sistership/fellowship
* Because it feels good
* To remember, to honor
* To feel connected to others. To center myself
* For myself
* To learn more about myself
* To reflect and learn

An especially meaningful moment for me last year was walking into the sanctuary in February and two junior high youth were in the pulpit, saying alternatively, “Whoever you are, wherever you are on your life journey, you are welcome here. May we open our hearts, our minds, our souls as we gather for worship on this glorious day.” This is the call to worship that I have honed over the years to be an invitation to all to open yourselves to be touched, to be inspired or soothed or challenged, to find hope and courage for your own journey and your own struggles. In short, to be transformed, most often in some small way, but sometimes the transformation can be most profound.

In the words of those assembled here:

* To learn what the sermons have to teach
* Makes me feel more connected. I also learn something new every time
* Communion with others, spiritual growth
* Service of Man; universalism
* Belonging
* Praise, worship, fellowship, thanksgiving
* To think
* To be with community of similarly minded people in a quest for understanding.
* To clear my head of everyday activities and think about the things that are really important
* I don’t worship. To me, that implies, requires, an object or person of veneration. I come here for community.
* I come to learn and to share in our community
* To share the joys and sorrows of being human in community
* We come together to learn something we otherwise would not have considered or been exposed to.
* To spark the seed of divinity in me
* Peace and Perspective
* It is centering and sometimes inspires me to try to live better
* Belonging
* Warm comfort – contact with people
* Why worship? It makes me feel good!!
* To hear the organ and organist
* Opportunity to be reflective, peaceful
* Because you can
* I am starting to return to my religious roots!
* Reflection
* To remember our (my) connection to the greater mystery of life
* To find reverence, understanding, gratitude
* Many friends
* Worship connects me to others and to the divine
* Fosters sense of community, helps me create peace in my life, opens my mind and heart
* I worship for a sense of belonging and a sense of community. Worship is two people talking and not something you do in isolation.
* Spiritual strength in numbers
* Because it is always the next step on my spiritual journey
* Because you replenish my soul. Thank you!
* Community and music
* To once again glory in the gift of life.

Worship invites not only transformation of individuals but also the transformation of the community. At times something remarkable happens for us as a group. The realm of the possible becomes so much larger than what it is with only one or two of us. If we want to be people of integrity, we cannot ignore the suffering, pain, and moral decay that exist in our world. Worship helps clarify our responses that are redeeming. Our faith tradition has a heritage of finding ways for the human spirit to flourish and attend to the social ills of the day. Worship serves as the vehicle for this deep seeking and flourishing.

I am glad we have a broad range of reasons people come to worship. When attendance is a priority for you, everyone benefits from your presence, including your minister. Because my sermons are ongoing responses to the heaviest concern you share with me, your presence increases my effectiveness.

Worship is a form of spiritual practice. Just like any spiritual practice, one deepens with consistency, rather than doing it just when one feels like it. It’s not all that different from friendship. If you are there only when you want to be, the friendship does not deepen. But if you are there when the friendship needs you, and you show up whether or not you it is your primary desire, the friendship will take on deep meaning and significance.

Without you knowing it, there may be someone here that needs your presence, to hear your joy or sorrow, or to have their joy or sorrow heard by you, or to talk even briefly after service, to touch your hand or receive your smile. You add to the worship experience. When you cannot come to worship on Sunday, I urge you to make space in your day when you can center down and pay attention to what is truly important to you. I also ask you to think upon the people of your spiritual home. In our crazy lifestyles, the need for this centering down is essential for a life lived with integrity, clarity, and in accord with our deepest values.

May our worship life continue to bring us together, offering hope and inviting transformation. And through our shared life together, may we accept that radical invitation to open our hearts, our minds, and our souls to ever greater possibility.

Blessed be. Amen.

Source: “Why Worship” by Rev. Alan Taylor, preached at Unity Temple Unitarian Universalist Congregation, November 28, 2004.

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