Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Temporarily Yours

April 11, 2010
Rev. Sean Parker Dennison

Vocation happens when our deep gladness meets the world’s deep need.
          — Frederick Buechner

I have a question for you: What is your deepest passion? What is it that makes your heart glad and that you long to make happen? What are you called to do? To be?

In the Unitarian Universalist tradition, your calling or vocation is something that only you can determine. No one can eavesdrop on the process. You must discover for yourself what your “deep gladness” is and how it will meet the world’s deep needs.

I believe everyone has a sense of calling. It may issue from an inner sense of identity, from the ego, or from one’s conscience. It may feel like a private longing discovered only by uncovering layer after layer of the self. It may be a burning passion or a quiet sense of need. For some, it may come as a still, small voice — a gift of insight from something larger than one’s self — a sense of purpose and connection to a larger whole. It may be a whisper or a shout, but whatever the volume, it demands response. It just will not be ignored.

One of the beautiful things about Unitarian Universalism is that each of our congregations provides a space for people to explore and ponder a sense of calling. Our third and fourth principles: “acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth in our congregations” and “a free and responsible search for truth and meaning” ensure that we will do our best to support and challenge each other in this important task and not insist that we know better than another what they should believe or what they should do. No matter how different our beliefs, our congregations are places where we are committed to allowing each person to find truth for themselves. We are a religious community that has a commitment to listen to each person and celebrate the answers they find. Unitarian Universalist congregations are not only about individuals. We understand and value community and know that the search for truth and the process of spiritual growth happens best within community. Our individual callings are not enough. We are also called to learn, grow, and work together.

We have committed ourselves to a religious community that values diversity more than unity of belief. We do not try to correct one another. Instead, we listen to one another’s stories and we learn that it is possible to create community with those who share a different understanding of realities within and beyond this world. Even more, we learn that by listening to one another we cannot help but be changed. Judgment gives way to caring and diversity becomes a gift, bringing us joy and the assurance we are not alone, even if our beliefs and sense of calling are unique.

— In Faith,
          Rev. Sean