From Rev. Scott

Given the worrisome events of the last two weeks, both domestically and internationally, this is what I will be saying to the UU congregation of Vero Beach, Florida, where I am speaking this Sunday. I hope to see all of you next Sunday for MLK Sunday.

Rev. Scott

Before we begin with my topic this morning, I ask that I – as a guest in your pulpit, and your Minister Emeritus who served this congregation for 11 years -- be allowed to share a moment of personal privilege and reflection. Your settled minister Tom and I discussed all of this on Friday, and agreed something needed to be said on this particularly ominous Sunday here in this American religious community.

As I know you all know (and feel deep to your hearts)…This is a most dangerous and violent moment in the life of our nation and world. Specifically, what we have all witnessed over that past two weeks is our current administration in Washington spiraling out of control, as it has grossly abuse power and violence both domestically (most tragically in Minneapolis) and internationally (most heinously in Venezuela). Our current President’s lust for unrestrained power and domination over others has led him (and those around him) to act in systematically unconstitutional, undemocratic and immoral ways, endangering the very underpinnings of our republic and world order. Let there be no mistake about any of this, the events in Minneapolis and Venezuela are all about the exercise of unrestrained and brutal power by a dangerously unrestrained and unwise President – dynamics that endanger domestic tranquility and world peace. This is not what America should be about.

What is clear is that in the days and weeks ahead, our deepest American (and Unitarian Universalist) values and principles will continue to be severely tested and threatened. It will be up to us, as faithful and caring Americans to push back responsibly however we can.

First for foremost this requires us to remain as fully human, humane, and calm as we can…Living peacefully by what we know to be good and right and just. Next, we must defend our immigrant neighbors, demand police and military restraint, and insist that international law and order be respected by our President and government…keeping in mind that what is roiling our nation and world is this current President’s lust for power and domination. Let us all promise to work hard to persuade our neighbors, co-workers, families and friends of the moral importance of our nation living up to its highest ideals.

Friends, these are terribly scary and dangerous times. May we -- as Unitarian Universalist - strive bravely to faithfully protect what needs protecting, and be ever guided by the moral spirit and compassionate values of our faith. And may our hearts be steadfastly guided by love, and the demands of justice.

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