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Universalists plan revival to renew faith

A group of west-central Florida congregations will gather to refresh their liberal purpose.

By WAVENEY ANN MOORE
Published May 21, 2006

The Rev. William G. Sinkford, 59, will be the main speaker at a service that will include prayers, a reading and gospel music. Sinkford's talk, "The Future is Now,'' will remind members about the denomination's tradition of social justice activism and call them to continued action.

"This is really an opportunity for our congregations in the area to find a renewed sense of purpose, to understand that what they have to offer - a liberal religious approach - is desperately needed in our world today and to understand they have the ability and the energy to be effective voices for a liberal religious point of view,'' Sinkford said during a telephone interview late last week.

"There has not been a time when there was a greater need for a revival,'' he said. "Unitarian Universalists are beginning to be much more active and visible in the larger world. We have let the voice of the religious right be dominant for far too long.''

The revival is the third to be held by what is called the West Central Florida Cluster, which is made up of 10 congregations in Pinellas, Hernando, Hillsborough, Pasco and Polk counties.

"The overall theme of the service is twofold. One is to share the good news of Unitarian Universalism, and two, to energize the faithful to live out their faith in the world,'' said the Rev. Abhi Janamanchi of Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater.

Unitarian Universalists are part of a free-thinking tradition with Judeo-Christian roots. The denomination has no creed and accepts all faiths and beliefs, including paganism. Created when Unitarians merged with Universalists in 1961, the denomination has more than 220,000 members nationwide, according to its Web site. It is said to be the fastest growing liberal religion in North America.

This week's revival will not be typical, said the Rev. Marjorie Bowens-Wheatley of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tampa. "It is definitely not the type of revival you would see in a Christian setting,'' she said. "It is much more a renewal for those of us who are Unitarian Universalists in terms of renewing our faith, renewing our commitment.''

The gathering also is an opportunity for Unitarian Universalists throughout the area to worship together, said Bowens-Wheatley, who was brought up in a Pentecostal church, became a Methodist and then part of the liberal tradition.

Revivals are part of the Universalist heritage, said Janamanchi, adding that they were used to proclaim God's love and provide hope and healing to all.

"That is the tradition that we decided to revive and celebrate, seeing that we had a faith that was worth sharing and a message that we felt made a difference in today's world,'' he said.

The denomination, which has opposed discrimination against gays, lesbians and bisexuals since 1970, has launched a campaign to help members speak out against the proposed marriage protection amendment to the Constitution. The denomination also is bringing attention to the genocide in Darfur and rallying for more "sensible'' immigration reform, Janamanchi said.

If you go

Revival, 7 p.m. Wednesday, Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater, 2470 Nursery Road, Clearwater. The Rev. William G. Sinkford, president of the Unitarian Universalists Association, will be the main speaker. Frank Wells, music director of the Clearwater church, will direct a cluster choir accompanied by a band.

[Last modified May 21, 2006, 09:42:47]