Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto

Reflection: Answering our Call to Life

Florence Haas
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Palo Alto, CA

Today Rev. Kurt will focus on commitment to healing the Earth by answering our Call to Life in his sermon. “In Such a Time as This” — about our present circumstances globally, looking at some of the worst, and taking us to hope and change.

When I look at the big picture, the overall view is overwhelming, and I feel helpless. From scientists we hear that huge change is needed to ensure human survival and to prevent serious suffering from water, food, and energy shortages. When faced with problems we look for solutions, but the situation is enormous.

We’ve been overwhelmed before — about 20 years ago I remember sermons given here at this church about dealing with this dilemma. Our minister advised us that rather than looking out at all the problems, go within and see which issue resonates most with me, and select it — being assured there plenty of problems left for others to choose. Next, ask myself what talents would I use, and how much time, energy, or money do I want to give to this effort.

I knew my issue. While many were focused on the war and other critical issues, I was deeply concerned about the environmental crisis because the actual survival of human life on this Earth was at stake, with or without injustices and wars. I often couldn’t sleep and needed to do something about it — but I’m an introvert, preferring to work quietly alone, and tend to avoid public demonstrations, committee meetings, and such. I also knew I wanted my efforts to target key people and wanted my voice heard, but how. I take comfort in finding my choice of action validated by Everett Rogers, whose book tells us we can be effective change agents, and assures us we are not helpless.

In his scholarly and scientific book, “Diffusion of Innovations,” 3rd edition 1995, Everett M. Rogers describes the diffusion process by which new ideas or innovations are spread and accepted in a social group. “Diffusion” is used in introducing new technology, and also works in social conditions. Rogers says that persuading opinion leaders is the easiest way to foment positive attitudes toward an innovation, because most people are risk — averse; their innovation-decision depends heavily upon decisions of others, and uncertainty is an obstacle. So he says, “The spread of an innovation hinges on a surprisingly small point: namely, whether or not opinion leaders vouch for it.”

I found two groups working on my cause. They use good scientific information, know the issues, and know exactly which influential people to contact and inform, using email campaigns. What I have to give is a basic understanding of science, write reasonably well, am able to donate some time and money, and have a computer, so joined The Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), each started by scientists, and have had 40 years of successful activism.

Now every day I receive one or two email messages from these organizations containing sane, well-written letters with links attached so we can easily edit the letter and click to send it to key people who can take action, like our governor, senators, representatives, and heads of agencies.

It is working. Legislation is getting passed due to this constant pressure from the scientific community and concerned citizens. Governmental agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency are getting slammed with emails creating public pressure to shape up.

These email campaigns are an introvert’s delight — no personal glory but effective because they have allowed me to target my efforts to directly influence our national and state opinion leaders. It’s gratifying to hear when results of a campaign appear on the evening news, hear the problem publicly acknowledged, and know action has been taken.

There is so much that needs to be done and no one can do it alone. Even if I were to spend every hour of every day of my life and give all my money, I still could not fix the world both for now and the future. No one can do it alone, but we can each do something about a cause that touches us, and we have our own interests, talents, and resources of time, energy or money to give. I feel this is a good year for activism and people are ready for change, as mentioned now and then by all the candidates. Change will happen, and we each can and should have a say in it. There are many methods to reach the opinion leaders for our cause, and any and all of the talents we each have are needed. At this critical time, our Earth needs each of us, and together, we can do this.

 

Sermon: In Such a Time as This by Rev. Kurt Kuhwald