Gazing around the circle in my local CUUPS group I see an
amazing diversity of ages represented. Young people fully engaged in seeking
truths that transcend the values of our over culture. My heart
is warmed
Paganism is growing, with each generation more people become
engaged in the many paths that encompass our collective identity. Young leaders
emerge and set their sights on a spiritual life that has meaning beyond the
experiences’ of their parents.
These seekers embrace our non-hierarchal approach to relationship with
divinity.
Fast Forward to Sunday Morning
As I sit in my local UUA congregation it is evident that the
membership is predominantly retired individuals. Across the US churches are
experiencing the same demographic shift in membership. It is not so much that membership is
shrinking due to less young people attending but the fact that people become
more religious as they age. As the Baby Boomers age the population of
individuals joining congregations is shrinking.
According to ABC News “The
biggest gap is between the oldest and youngest age groups. Sixty percent of
people age 65 and older report attending religious services at least once a
week; among 18 to 30-year-olds, just 28 percent go that often. Previous ABCNEWS
polls, similarly, have found that religious belief and practice increase with
age.”
All this got me to thinking about the tremendous
responsibility that comes with being an emerging demographic within the UUA
fold. If our institutions are to
flourish and survive we collectively have a responsibility to become active,
engage the wider congregation, bring to the table our ability to expand what
full UUA membership means to include support of those who have so openly
welcomed us among them.
Without CUUPS
and other groups that attract younger followers UUA congregations will shrink
while maintaining their established infrastructure continues to be more costly.
Is it not our responsibility as spiritual sisters and brothers to
support those who have provided us sacred space and honored our beliefs?
So I urge you my fellow CUUPS members, become active within
your hosting church, demonstrate that we collectively understand how important
we are to the future of Unitarian Universalism.
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