In the story of the Lorax, the title character "speaks for the trees" and other wildlife. However, he is a most ineffective speaker. His voice is bossy, anxious and mere ranting. In the end of the book, the trees and furry barbaloots are gone. Only the sad soul who once heard the warnings of the Lorax remains to tell the tale.

We, who speak for the trees, and for love and reason, for science and justice, must be more effective than the Lorax. As the Reverends Peter Morales and Laurel Hallman both note, our potential is unlimited if only we can shake off what has kept us a small voice speaking in the wilderness. How can we make sure that everyone knows what we are so that those who need us most will be able to find our place in the woods? How can we speak even to those who don’t agree with our values?

To people who think of unquestioned belief as faith, how can we explain to them why our faith includes doubt, and diversity of belief? To people who assume that there is only one true religion, how can one defend the ideals of freedom, reason and tolerance in religious life? To people who have rejected traditional religion, or raised without any religion at all, and are seeking other possibilities, how do we talk about our living tradition without confusing them or scaring them away?

On Tuesday, June 9 at 7:00pm, and Thursday, June 11, at 2:00pm, and Thursday June 18th at 7:00pm, I will lead a two-hour workshop on "Speaking Up for Unitarian Universalism." Please plan to attend one of these events, bring both questions and ideas about what works and what does not work in communicating our faith and tradition. Bring along your "elevator speech" and we will talk about what to say when people ask questions other than "UU, what is that?" Because the workshop is designed to be shaped by the ideas, concerns and interests of the people involved, each session will be unique. That means you can attend more than once. I would like at least 6 people at each session and it would be great if more than twenty-five total people participate in these events.

Let us work to make sure that 100 years from now the woods will still be vibrant and our voices will echo through this region and beyond.

Peace,
Thomas