On a recent Sunday morning, on my (Tuli’s) drive into Beacon, I caught a segment of “On Being”, the show hosted by Krista Tippet and airing on NPR. The interviewer made a statement that I repeated to myself so as to remember it and look it up later: Tradition is to community what memory is to an individual. 

When I got home, I looked up the episode. It was an interview with the Irish poet and theologian John O’Donohue. In the interview he says “Like I’ve always thought that tradition is to the community what memory is to the individual. And if you lose your memory, and you wake up in the morning, you don’t know where you are, who you are, what ground you’re standing on. And if you lose your tradition, it’s the same thing.”

Donohue and Tippet go on to acknowledge that some traditions like some memories can be hugely problematic, but also have tremendous potential for healing and replenishment. Donohue emphasized the importance of conduct[ing] the most vigorous and relentless conversation that you can with your own tradition.

As we engage in our theme for the month, renewing faith, what Unitarian Universalist tradition calls to you? What vigorous and relentless conversation are you willing to have? For me it is the tradition of staying alive, awake and aware of the many injustices in our world - from war in Ukraine to the continued stripping away of human rights of millions across the globe. The tradition and ritual of lighting our chalice, designed and constructed during WWI as a symbol of safe harbor, is a reminder of healing and replenishment, reminding us of where we are, who we are, and the ground we are on. It is staying committed to our antiracism efforts as we live more deeply into the 8th principle. You wouldn’t want to miss the chance to attend the raising of a new Black Lives Matter banner at our new property, 695 Springfield Ave, on May 22nd, where we will be joined with our partners at Fountain Baptist Church and Christ Church, to renew our commitments to antiracism.  Stay tuned for more details.

Similarly,  you want to join us at our Equinox service…as we welcome back the sun. These are traditions that keep our community strong and grounded.

Beloveds, let us renew our faith together.

Tuli, Emilie, Robin

Rev. Dr. Robin Tanner, Rev. Emilie Boggis, Dr. Tuli Patel: Beacon’s Lead Ministry Team