K. Mark Demma
PSY 326 - Morrow
Paper #1
10 Sep 96

For a considerable amount of time in my life, I had no real goals beyond making each month's rent. In the back of my mind, however, I knew that I wanted to make some kind of positive contribution to the world. A few years ago I heard a calling, not from deity, but rather from my own heart. It told me that the way that I could do this most effectively and would give me the most fulfillment was through Unitarian Universalist ministry.

I first came into contact with Unitarian Universalism when I was searching for a place for the Gay and Lesbian Youth Group I was running to meet. The local UU church was the only place that would take us in. I was a bit apprehensive about setting foot inside any church after having been repudiated by my family in the name of religion. The warmth and acceptance shown to our group encouraged me to start attending UU services. I found that what they were saying made more sense to me than any religion I had ever encountered. I soon became very involved with the church: teaching in the RE program, serving on committees and attending UU conferences. It was at these conferences that I realized that my church friends had become my family, replacing the "real" family that had rejected me years beforehand.

I also started serving on the worship committee, which allowed me the opportunity to present services to the congregation. I received an abundance of positive feedback about these services, including comments that I should think seriously about pursuing UU ministry. I pondered this notion seriously enough to start on the road toward UU seminary by enrolling in classes at a local community college. After attending this school for two years and talking with people at UU seminaries, I decided to attend Warren Wilson College to complete my undergraduate degree. I thought the Human Studies Program at WWC would be an excellent preparation for UU seminary.

In the role of a minister, I would be called to counsel people in times of need. Perceiving my fellow UUs as my "family" would definitely help me to minister to them in times of need because my concern for them would be genuine and not simply induced because someone might be paying me to listen. Also helpful would be the fact that I would most likely have the same value system as most of the congregates, at least one would hope so if I was going to be an effective minister. I could also see some disadvantages, however. I would have to be acutely aware of the fact that I may be too close to some of the congregates to objectively discern the correct way to counsel them. On a more personal level, I would have to consider how unresolved issues pertaining to my own estrangement from my family might effect my ability to help resolve certain family issues.

I do believe, however, that one the whole my close feelings towards my Unitarian Universalist "family" would be a benefit rather than a liability. I look forward to the challenges that lie ahead as I work toward reaching my goal of becoming a UU minister.