I am a Universalist and a Unitarian Christian. I believe all are worthy of love, no exceptions. Universalism’s greatest tenet can be summarized as trusting in a love so special, you need not be special to be loved.
I believe in the creative, sustaining, and transformative power at the heart of all that is by whatever name you call it.
A friend once described me as a zen practicing Jesus follower.
What I love about our faith is that we are able to gather people who are on different paths, and at the same time continue to use and reclaim traditional religious and spiritual language.
I believe that religion and church are primarily for two things: spiritual deepening and service to the community.
I am also a spiritual director and believe in helping individuals and communities develop spiritual practices. Spiritual practices are habits, activities and prayer practices one engages in with intention, depth and regularity. Prayer, meditation and yoga are traditional examples, but more creative pursuits might include gardening, jogging, cooking, parenting, social justice work, or dancing.
The great work of Unitarian Universalism is helping everyone find their own responsible path on the road to truth and meaning. This is exactly the work of the spiritual director and it is what I’ve always done with my congregations and my spiritual direction clients. One of my spiritual direction clients, a Unitarian Universalist minister said:
“I feel as though I leave our sessions not with different vision, but with different eyes. Seeing my life and myself in the spiritual dimension has literally transformed me. I can feel myself entering into more authentic relationships, and I have so much less anxiety and self-doubt than I did even a year ago.”
– Sarah Pricket, Minister, Northwoods UU Church, The Woodlands, TX
Rev. Tony Lorenzen 