Because Unitarian Universalism encompasses so many qualities different from a standard organized religion, first and foremost our lack of a prescribed set of beliefs, it is sometimes very difficult to explain to our children what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist.

The Unitarian Universalist Association’s Family Network has a number of good resources available for families to aid in the development of Unitarian Universalist identity in our children. This story from the Rev. Hope Johnson, who serves the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Central Nassau in Garden City, New York, is part of a 34 page document of stories about family religious traditions called “Family Stories as Faith Stories” (PDF). Her description of her faith journey transcends generations.

For consideration: what stories in your own family history inform your faith journey today?

My Faith Home

by Rev. Hope Johnson

Hi, my name is Hope and I’m from the island of Jamaica in the Caribbean Sea. I grew up all over the world but always went back home to my island. I was raised Anglican which folks here in the United States, call Episcopalian. My twin sister Janice and I went to Sunday School every single Sunday no matter where we found ourselves. And we would get in trouble every single Sunday. Our Sunday School teachers didn’t like the questions we asked each week when there was one thing or another that we did not understand.

“I don’t understand the Trinity. If God is God why do we need to pray to Father, Son and Holy Ghost? But you said ghosts are not real. But I don’t believe that the Devil is real. Where’s Hell? But I do love Jesus, I just don’t understand it the way you do. Now about this Virgin Birth…”

(Read on … )