American Unitarian Conference Forum

The Lord of our Path is the One alone.
We have accepted the yoke of love.
We have accepted the Spirit to serve.

The One will bring to us the knowledge and wisdom we require.
He will be the Master of our heart and home.
He has given us the freedom of a liberal view.

The Way of the One will soften even the hardest heart.
Those who have turned their back will return home again.
The Way gives all men and women back their dignity.

With clear minds, a clear path is shown to us.
The Strong One scatters those who would obstruct the way.
All our teachings resonate with an open heart and mind.

No one I have met can resist the power and might of love.
The heart of the most wicked person is penetrated by love.
Each person touched by love comes of their free will to serve.

We trust that this path will bring good to all humanity.
We seek to awaken the world, not to enslave mankind.
Our hearts hold dear, the way of harmony and peace.

Many say we tear up the way of Scripture and tradition.
Many say our teachers and sages will misguide mortal men and women.
Many want to make us subject to their rules and regulations.

We urge men and women to pray in private to the One.
We urge them to think of the One as their Father and Friend.
We urge them to look within to find the Way for them.

We do not throw away Scripture from any religion.
We take the best that each religion has to offer.
We urge believers to walk and talk as worthy children.

We urge the believers to see the Spirit and the Earth as inseparable parts of the One.
We urge each believer to honor their Mother and Father.
We urge each believer to see all humanity as one great family.

We urge each believer to remove the veils from the heart and mind.
We urge each believer to strive to become a way shower and guide.
We urge each believer to walk in the path with love.

We accept the Robe of the Spirit of the One.
We accept the yoke of love on all our thoughts, words, and deeds.
We accept that all men and women can awaken to their status as children of the One.

Only with free will, can anyone come to the Way.
Only with free will, can anyone give or receive love.
Only with free will, can anyone receive harmony and peace.
Only with free will, can anyone be a Child of the One.

With Love,

Rev Dorris

Thank you Rev. Dorris for being our "in-house" minister.....I enjoy your work. Any news on the "virtual" church idea?

So far not much has been done, as far as I know.  I have not heard anything from the AUC board of directors or other ministers.  I will meet with my attorney today and ask him to check into the legalities of setting up such a church.  

Other than the legal aspects, the costs do seem reasonable with the web sites that you furnished. I will ask my nephew to check the sites and see what he might recommend.  My computer knowledge is limited, but his is not.

To have "The First American Unitarian Church" online as a virtual church or otherwise would be a great step forward.  (Just a suggested name at this time.)  Hopefully no one has used or objects to the use of that name.

Do you have any suggestions for who might like to be involved as a member of the board of directors, etc? Do you know anyone who would make a long term commitment to keeping such a church going? (3, 5, 10, 20 years, or more)

Since I am only 60, I can commit to a very very long time. I figure at least another 90 years or more. (Only our Father knows for sure.)

With love,

Rev Dorris

I think this would be a very worthy project...like you...I have no skill with web design etc....but I think a web church would be a great primary or secondary resource. And, because it does not have the brick and mortar expense...it should be very affordable in comparison.

We need to poll our members and supporters....including the silent visitors.

I would consider a turn on the board...in some capacity...I have never led a board but I have participated in the past. The duties on a web church board would be pretty streamlined by comparison...I would imagine.

I think a RE program is the #1 issue for the AUC.

P.S. The name is perfect....it would literally be the First.

Some potentially useful starter books from the UUCF can be found at

http://www.uuchristian.org/2006/great-de...e/#more-60

Especially:

G.___“Christology in American Unitarianism” by Prescott Wintersteen, $5. Another must-have book, which traces the theme from the 19th into the 20th century. Coupled with the UU Christian Reader which covers the last half of the 20th century, you have two books exploring in depth, particularly here with the Unitarian side of the tradition.

H.___Children’s curriculums: Faith Footsteps, Bible Stories For Primary Ages, The Life and Teachings of Jesus, How Others Worship, $20 per curriculum. Prepared by First Parish of Weston, MA, published by the UUCF. Good for use in churches, families.

I.___”Christian Responses to the World’s Faiths” by Harry Hoehler, $5. Issues of relativism, syncretism, universalism, particularism, pluralism. This special book published by the UUCF in 1990 from one of the ministers at First Parish, Weston MA, continues to be relevant and meaningful for our 21st century world. Recommended by Dr. Harvey Cox of Harvard Divinity School.

J.___Communion Services and Sermons, $5. The “red” liturgical book, including powerful sermons about the nature of communion and eucharist in the free Christian and Unitarian Universalist tradition, as well as several liturgies of Word and Table from across perspectives. Great for small group use.

I have not obtained them yet.....

Thanks for the book recommendations.

The wheel has been set in motion.  Will keep you informed as progress is made.

My attorney is quite interested in giving guidance and assistance as he and his wife were pre-merger Unitarians.  Until yesterday he was not aware of the differences between the AUC and the UUA.  I will be meeting with him again soon.

With love,

Rev Dorris

Something new, a seed, has sprouted....let us nourish it.

I'm new to the forum and to Unitarianism but I do have a few years of Web design experience, both professional and personal. Should you wish for my help in laying out the specifications and consulting on the virtual church, please do not hesitate to contact me.

I have been looking for a means to do some good and perhaps this is it.

Hi Patrick,

All offers to help are greatly appreciated.

With love,

Rev Dorris