byTerri J Michos, Social Action Coordinator

Unitarian Universalism has as one of its core beliefs that the service of others is a way in which to exercise our faith.

In fact, the Unitarian Service Committee was formed in 1940 with an urgent need to fight injustice, namely the persecution of Jews and others by the Nazis, especially in Czechoslovakia, where there was a very large population of Unitarians. It continues today as the UUSC, a non-profit, nonsectarian associate member of the Unitarian Universalist Association.

In a service discussion led by John Keating at the then Wiesbaden Unitarian Universalists, we were asked to give an example of one of our spiritual practices, the definition of which was left up to us. I remember most the idea of mindfully drinking a morning coffee.

A question I have been pondering at this contemplative time of year is whether there is a way of combining spirituality with service. We all know that warm feeling we get when we do something for others — I was so excited to see the look on our grandson’s face when he unwrapped his guitar. What are these mitzvahs, and can we make them a spiritual practice, either individually or as a part of community building in our fellowships and beyond?

I’d love to hear from you, so that we might spark inspiration from one another to adopt and expand some of these spiritual practices, as we build a love beyond belief in 2020. Write to socialaction@europeanuu.org

Happy New Year from the entire Social Action team.