Sometimes it feels like the best-kept secret in our denomination: Unitarian Universalists have served and do serve in the military. In recent recognition of this, the UUA has made strides towards welcoming military and veterans into our congregations. In 2010, the UUA issued a Statement of Conscience entitled “Creating Peace” in which they declare:
“We bear witness to the right of individuals and nations to defend themselves, and acknowledge our responsibility to be in solidarity with others in countering aggression…We affirm a range of individual choices, including military service and conscientious objection…as fully compatible with Unitarian Universalism. For those among us who make a formal commitment to military service, we will honor their commitment, welcome them home, and offer pastoral support.”
Regardless, UUs on active duty face challenges. Although there are now more than a dozen UU chaplains across all the branches of the US services, UU chaplains make up a tiny percentage of the chaplain corps. Because of this, UU military members may have difficulty finding religious supports that reflect their progressive values. The challenges may continue when UUs come home; Veterans may feel isolated and wonder how they will be welcomed back to their churches.
That’s where the CLF Military Ministry comes in. We aim to provide spiritual supports to service members and their families during active duty and when they come home.
In addition, we fully affirm people openly serving in the military and have been a leader in pressing for the rights of this community in the military. Modern Military Association of America offers excellent resources and advocacy work for GLBTQAI+ veterans and their families.
If you are a military member, veteran, or have military members in your family and are in need of immediate support, contact Greg DuBow at greg.dubow (at) gmail dot com.
Connect with other veterans and their stories by reading the articles they’ve written about military service, family life, spirituality, and more!
Dave ThutRead Dave’s Veteran’s Day blog post, Duty and Service » |
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Lt. Seanan HollandA Unitarian Universalist minister and Navy chaplain, Seanan recently returned from a deployment in Afghanistan. He served as an intern with the CLF. Read Seanan’s posts » and View Seanan’s Homecoming » |
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Margaret WeisMargaret is the Ministerial Intern at First Parish of Watertown, Unitarian Universalist. A former counselor, she lives north of Boston with her wife, Susan, and two rescue dogs. Read Margaret’s posts » |
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Rev. Chris J. AntalChris is a Community Minister with the Church of the Larger Fellowship. He is married with five children and his family resides in the Hudson Valley of New York. Read Chris’ posts » |
War is toxic—tragedy, waste and profiteering are an inevitable part of even the so-called “good wars.”
In our society we are so wired to think in an individual way, that somehow our life is not intertwined into the lives of others. We are taught that we can make our own decisions and do what we need to do to be successful and happy.
It’s funny, you know. People talk about the “new normal” after a deployment. Military families are taught about the adjustments and sacrifices that everyone makes during a deployment. We talk about how to make that “reintegration period” smoother.
In addition to our worship services and social media, military members, veterans and their families can connect on our Military Ministries Facebook group. Note: membership is limited to these specific groups. If you aren’t on Facebook, contact us to see if there are others ways you can connect with the community.
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Quest for Meaning is a program of the Church of the Larger Fellowship (CLF).
As a Unitarian Universalist congregation with no geographical boundary, the CLF creates global spiritual community, rooted in profound love, which cultivates wonder, imagination, and the courage to act.