Unitarian Universalists aspire to make the world a better place by fostering and holding safe spaces for people to work, play, and rest within. Whether these are physical spaces limited by structures, theoretical spaces limited by commonly agreed-upon boundaries, or emotional spaces limited by familiarity, the foundation of everything we do depends upon trust. Trust is the key ingredient for working together with anyone on anything, whether we recognize the direct human connection or merely benefit indirectly from the systems of trust that have evolved over time.

Trust is the voluntary choice to believe that we will not be harmed by someone or by some system. We have our own personal histories and stories of how trust has been broken in the past; how we dealt with these transgressions helps us define who we are. When trust exists, we can relax into the safe space it creates.  Our psychological and emotional well-being depends on having enough trust in our lives that we are not constantly on edge, watching our backs. We recognize the harm that comes from living in a distrustful space and we strive to mitigate it for ourselves and for others.

Most of you reading this will have lived your entire long lives ensconced within a society that is generally safe, reliable, and predictable. The current changes to the Federal government have been ushered in via a political movement that has destabilized – and continues to erode – trust in American society and institutions. While change and evolution are inevitable and generally helpful, this current form of shock therapy seems unlikely to benefit our country, specifically because it targets our ability to trust in one another and the systems we rely on. Can we trust that people will be treated with dignity, that laws will be enforced to protect people and environments from the ravages of unchecked capitalistic fervor, that all people will have a democratic voice in matters that concern them? What is the end game of Federal leadership? Where do we go from here?  What role does First Parish have to play in maintaining and fostering the trust that is so essential to the world we want to live in?

We exist as a house of worship to celebrate and advance our beliefs as stated in the UU principles. We create a safe space built on trust. When systems of power are structured in a way that does not respect everyone’s right to a peaceful and safe world, we will recognize and call that out. This is how we make the world a better place. This is why we are here.

With gratitude for our community,
Eric Studer & Jess Miner
on behalf of the First Parish Board of Trustees