2008 Berry Street Lecture

After the end of Ministry Days, the Berry Street Lecture is presented. This is an annual presentation dating from 1820, in dawning days of American Unitarianism. The offerings come from the most talented thinkers in UU ministry, and this year was no exception.

Christine Robinson offered a wonderful commentary for all of us who minister in support of the spiritual lives of others, comparing us to theme park designers, 'Imagineers' who at their best offer something more than fun and education - they connect us with the transcendent. I know this is true, from the days when I worked as a show operator at the Denver planetarium. The most loved shows we offered hinted at something larger, more meaningful, a greater purpose, than we experienced in our everyday lives. People came to these shows for more than the science.

But Christine noted that for many of us, the life of the spirit has been shamed out of us, and we in turn and (perhaps unknowingly) use sarcasm and cynicism to shame others. This, to me, explains well the vituperous response some of those in our midst offer to anything that seems even mildly spiritual. Maybe this understanding offers an avenue for compassion and healing.

John Cullinan, a first year minister, responded that he struggles with the anxiety of church administration that leaves little space for the work of the spirit. This rang true for me too, because I enjoy most aspects of administration, and can easily see myself drawn from spiritual aspects of ministry into the technical aspects. Thanks to both Christine and John for these insightful reflections.