Vision, Sanctuary, Memory, Mystery, Possibility, Trust, Journey, Wholeness, Curiosity, Beauty - I can't help but chuckle at how the monthly worship themes this year line up with the inner workings of my soul.

The call of my ancestors gets stronger and more persistent with each passing month; pushing me to live fully into my bone-knowing and purpose. The vision that they have given me is still not completely formed, but I am stepping out in faith and creating Raíces Rituales: Ritual Roots Healing Collective. What I know so far is that it will encompass ancestral healing, antiracism work, the creation of safe and healing space for all but particularly people of color and those who hold mixed-race identities, ceremonial rites of passage, and birth and death accompaniment. I also plan to focus on my writing. The working title of my memoir is Eat Tacos & Pray: From Cult to Curandera . Hopefully someday you'll all be able to say, "We knew her when!"

I feel that it would be dishonest to not also say that my time here has been fraught, as the only person of color on staff. I have a deep love for the staff team and congregation, and a deep appreciation that many Unitarian Universalists are engaging in the work of racial justice. Unfortunately, the weight of that work tends to fall heavier on the shoulders of those who inhabit marginalized identities, and I have concluded that I need to protect myself from the stress and exhaustion of navigating predominantly white space, while also navigating the realities of classism and ableism.

As a light-skinned Latina, I do hold privilege in being able to pass as white (in some spaces and contexts), but had the difficult and disarming experience of dealing with overt racism when I was in Kansas City this last summer for General Assembly. (Mostly while out and about in the city and not in the convention center.) I am grateful for the empathy I cultivated for my darker-hued family and friends that week, but it was still a very difficult thing to endure.

Me speaking my truth is an act of love, though I know that shock or feelings of defensiveness may have occurred from reading the above. I am sharing this small part of my lived experience with deep hope and abundant love, that UUs will continue the difficult work of confronting racism, decentering whiteness, and building the beloved community. I highly encourage you all to follow the important work of the Commission on Institutional Change , to read the book Centering: Navigating Race, Authenticity, and Power in Ministry if you haven't already, and to continue doing the work, especially when it is hard.

"If I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don't see." ~ James Baldwin

The ICUU brings together international partners to learn, share resources, develop leaders, inspire and support one another, and nurture fledgling Unitarian/Universalist groups, encouraging the development of liberal religion. This conference had a theological focus, and invited the roughly 100 participants to engage over the conference days in a series of questions designed to elicit personal theologies, to bring out similarities and differences between the various Unitarian and Universalist groups and participants.

For example, during the first day of the conference in intentionally diverse groups of 8, we were asked to reflect on the following questions:

1. What are four elements / concepts / principles / practices that frame your faith? What do these framing elements of faith enable you to see through your spiritual window?
2. How do these framing elements / concepts / principles / practices shape your daily life?
3. Do you find that the framing elements of faith change over time? If so, how?

Keeping in mind that the Unitarians and Universalists came from many cultures and influences, it is not surprising that there were differing ways in which the "spiritual windows" manifested in the conference participants. For example, the Indonesian, Indian, and Philippine participants frequently brought up the idea of a single God as a strong element, with a strong invocation of the divine. On the other hand, the concept of "love" was nearly universally mentioned as a framing element, linking all of the various traditions of Unitarianism and Universalism. 

There were many nuances in theological understanding, such as how the Unitarians from the Khasi Hills in Northeast India derived from numerous influences such as the native Khasi religion (neither Hindu nor Muslim), which had a belief in a formless living god (UBlei) and at the same time honored numerous gods and goddesses in nature, rivers, streams, and jungles. Mid-nineteenth century Welsh Calvinists swept their religion through the area via missionaries, starting schools and teaching reading and writing. The founder of Khasi Unitarianism came out of the mix of Calvinism and traditional culture: Hajom Kissor Singh rejected the Calvanist faith, underwent an independent search for truth and meaning. Like others in other times, he reasoned that the belief in the Trinity had no basis, and he connected with an American Unitarian minister in Calcutta who had beliefs similar to his own. Today, there are over 9,000 identified Unitarians in the region.

The story of Unitarianism in the Khasi Hills is one of independent inquiry, of doing good for others, of strong family ties, and of reverence for nature. In each country represented in the ICUU there is a different origin story, but all include elements of justice and high regard for humanity and human potential.  At a time when separation and individualism are lifted up, it is good to remember that there are circles of Unitarians, Universalists, and Unitarian Universalists all across the planet.

For a brief window into the Nepal conference,  check out this video. For more about the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists,  visit here.