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We have a dream
Of a church that had its beginnings in the minds and hearts and souls of men and women a long, long time ago: a church that has continued to express its great faith and do its good works through many years because of the loyalty and devotion of its people. |
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We have a dream
Of a church beautiful: a symphony of architectural design, attractive, well kept up, serviceable - with organ, instruments, and choir to fill the air with good music that will uplift the spirits of all who hear it, with a pulpit where convictions are expressed with honesty and without fear, with an altar where each one may place his or her god or saint or symbol of eternal light and truth. |
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We have a dream
Of a church of warm human fellowship: where people mingle for a time in thoughtful meditation, or discuss with mutual respect things trivial or things important, and where democracy is not just a theory but a habit of practice in attitude of mind and in the spirit of sharing. |
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We have a dream
Of a church alive, alive with the sounds of many voices: the soft and quieting tones of those who have lived a long time, the firm resonance of middle life, the vital and vibrant voices of young people, the shrieks and laughter of little children. |
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We have a dream
Of a church of action where men and women learn to put their principles into practice: in the market place and the home, in the communnity, nation and world beyond, and where convictions find expression in conduct and faith is demonstrated in deeds, where each person will give his line, his substance, his support and his presence, where all are willing workers, and where each one can give his fair share of responsibility. |
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We have a dream
Of a church with doors always open: always open so that people may go in and daily, not only for meditations and prayer, but also for the purposes of learning, of discussing or arguing, where mind may meet with mind, though be sharpened, understanding deepened, actions made more effective. |
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We have a dream
Of a challenging church: where children grow naturally in appreciation and understanding of the complexities of life, where young people find their ideals encouraged and tested and strengthened, where middle age stops short of compromise and does not sit on the fence, where those of older age find themselves wanted and needed, and where everyone is assured that new faces, new occasions, new duties give greater promise of greater good to come. |
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We have a dream
Of a church where each person has a real sense of belonging: a fellowship of people where the smallest child and college youth feel at home, where the labourer, the white collar worker, the executive, the tradesman, the professional man and woman, stand side by side, united in their determination to make the community and the world a better and more just and peaceful place for all people and all of life to live. |
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We have a dream
Of a church of a Liberal faith: where minds are free, fellowship is real and all its people are persons of character; devoted, loyal, loving, generous in deed as well as in spirit, a thinking church, an acting church, a growing church. |
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We have a dream
...But it is more than a dream: for day by day we are each bringing it, in some measure at least, into reality, to the extent that we are committed. |
The Revd. Ernest Penn
Pluralist - Liberal and Thoughtful