Sheila's reflection will be based on Katherine Ozment's book entitled "Grace Without God." The basis for Katherine's book was a question her son asked, "So what are we?" when she explained that they could not join the religious procession they were watching because they were not of that religion. This question sent her on a search for an answer to that and of a deeper one, "What gives meaning and purpose to life lived without the construct of a formal religious setting?" In the course of her rambles, she visited many churches, religious gatherings and religious leaders to see what might work for her and her family. Sheila says, "As I heard her speak and read her book, I found myself noting a familiarity with many UUs who have carried on this quest; and some continue." We often call ourselves "atheists with children," but the quest for meaning and truth and community goes beyond that desire to help our children to learn about belief.
Sheila McPharlin is a life-long UU and was a member of UUCSW from 1994 to 2006. She is grateful for being able to Zoom into church services here and both make new connections and reconnect with many she knew well during her years of membership.
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