Minister's Musings April 2026

“Each of us is shaped as much by the quality of the questions we are asking as by the answers we have it
in us to give.” ~ Krista Tippett
Awaken your curiosity, dear hearts! In a time when so many political and religious leaders are
encouraging you not to question what you witness or experience, we run the risk of falling into
compliance with authoritarianism. As Timothy Snyder reminds us (and I quote often) in his book On
Tyranny, “we must not obey in advance!” Therefore, I encourage you to hold a beginner’s mind, play the
sacred fool, ask questions, keep wondering about everything. I’m so grateful that Unitarian Universalism
is religion that welcomes questions as much as it seeks answers. And that as a pluralistic, ever-evolving
faith, we can be certain that we don’t have all the answers. Living in the ambiguity and liminality of life
requires a certain level of trust and faith in ourselves and in each other. To build this beloved
community, we must engage with one another through conversations and action. We must determine
and affirm where the boundaries are of right relationship and help each other maintain these. It helps us
grow when we can communicate effectively what our values are and how we express them in the world.
One of my favorite services is coming up at the end of the month: The Question Box. Last year, I invited
the congregation to ask me questions during the service that I would try to faithfully answer. And this
year, we’ll do that AND reverse the process. I want to ask you questions! Sometimes the best way to
develop your faith is to talk your way into knowing. So, let us consider the important questions you and I
have regarding Unitarian Universalism and let us ponder how much we answer those. Life is a riddle and
mystery that I look forward to exploring with you.
With faith and love,
Rev. Sarah Osborne