Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Online Service
“Behave as a Human Being”
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube
Sun, Jun 14, 10:30am
Zoom link: zoom.us/j/414604040
Password: 294513
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Online Service
By Joseph Plummer
In this Sunday’s online UUFSMA service, the Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube will explore the conundrum of control in a time of fear and panic.
During this extraordinary time, there are many things we cannot control. We can’t control what other people do or think—or how well they follow distancing guidelines. We can’t control how long the pandemic will last or predict what will happen to us. As difficult as it may be, we would be better off not wasting energy worrying about things beyond our control. As self-help writer Byron Katie wrote, “If you fight with reality, you lose, but only 100 percent of the time.”
The first-century rabbi and sage Hillel said, “In a world where no one is behaving as a human being, you must behave as a human being.” Most people show compassion during this uncertain time. We witness many acts of consideration, creativity, sacrificial service, and generosity, not only by heroic health care workers but also ordinary clerks, delivery people, and cleaning staff. For some, however, fear of the COVID-19 pandemic generates cruelty, divisiveness, greed, deception, and hatred.
The German word for human being is “Mensch.” In Yiddish, a language with roots in German and Hebrew, a Mensch is not just any human being, but an extraordinary human being of great kindness and integrity. While we cannot control much that is outside ourselves in this time of suffering, each of us possesses the power to choose our attitudes and actions. We can choose to be a Mensch.
Rev. Dr. Arvid Straube lives near San Diego with his wife, Sonya Prestridge, and has served Unitarian Universalist congregations for 35 years. He earned an M.A. in Divinity from the University of Chicago and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School. In 2014, Meadville Lombard also awarded him an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree. He now teaches at that school while also pursuing a ministry of spiritual direction and meditation coaching.
To participate in our online Sunday service, visit the Fellowship’s website at www.uufsma.org, and click on the Zoom Service button displayed on the home page. If requested, enter password: 294513. Sign-in between 10:15-10:25am.
Through grants and awards, UUFSMA donates 50 percent of all income it receives to support nonprofit organizations that provide health, educational, and environmental services for underserved communities in the San Miguel region. Please support this work by clicking on the website home page’s Donate button.
Due to the arrival of the coronavirus in San Miguel, UUFSMA has indefinitely suspended in-person Sunday services and other gatherings. We advise members and friends to follow the advice of reputable public health authorities and to contact our affiliate minister or care team for needed assistance. The UU Fellowship welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientations, and gender identity.