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The Unitarian Universalist
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UUCP
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In Focus: Wally Reid
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Wally Reid became the first official member of the UUCP in 1989, when his wife Lee Reid was called upon by the UUA to be the minister of a new intentionally diverse congregation in Englewood. Wally recalls, "Lee and I came to Englewood knowing very little about this city, and even bought a house. We had lived in upper Westchester County for 24 years, which as of the time we left still wasn't very diverse. We started with a few people from the Rutherford congregation, which had sold its church, and had only few members remaining. Our first treasurer, from the Rutherford group, had invested the money from the church sale, so we had a large endowment to start with. Our first meeting place was Flat Rock Brook Nature Center." Since then, Wally has been involved in many aspects of this congregation. He is most satisfied with how many times over the years our teams have worked together and accomplished so much. Said Wally, "We went through several disappointments without faltering in our goals." He is frustrated that in 12 years we still can't seem to grow past 50 to 60 members. He said, "We continue to devise great expectations for the work of all our teams, which requires more money and more workers for implementing these new modes of operation. Increased membership would mean more people and more money to carry out our wonderful plans and have a greater Unitarian Universalist impact on the area. Many people I have talked to, even in Englewood, know nothing of our existence." In 1989, the congregation unanimously passed a resolution that our anti-racist identity be reflected in the life of the congregation, its programs and activities, its organization and its culture, e.g. adult and children's religious education, worship services and community outreach. Wally feels it is important that future UUCP reports and public messages be sure to include this message. "More than once this 1989 resolution failed to be published in important UUCP reports, which did contain our Vision Statement." The Justice Team usually has only three to four people who attend meetings and are active in outreach. Only two of these people are UUCP members. Wally feels that because of the UUCP's anti-racist mission, vision and covenant, he expected a lot higher membership in the Justice Team. One thing that Wally really values and would like to continue as part of the service is a sharing time after sermons, where members of the congregation can respond. "I know that we're short on time, but in the past having this time has almost always supplemented the message of the sermon." Since consistency is important, there are a number of ways that we could go about satisfying the needs all. "The minister of the UUA church in Summit, NJ, which has a large congregation, has handled this well by actually picking about 4 different people each week who can respond. Another way would be to equally distribute Sharing Time, Joy and Concerns and Children's Message from week to week. Some churches shorten Joys and Concerns by limiting it to candle lighting only, with no verbal message." The UUCP Vision Statement states "we are a community that finds strength and purpose in the diversity of a world united in its spiritual essence." When Wally was asked if we are succeeding in a getting this message out to help the congregation to grow, he responded, "We all need to become Evangelists (not Proselytizers.) An Evangelist spreads the Good News, but doesn't try to force it on you or surprise you by knocking on your door Sunday morning at 8 a.m. to try and convert you. Read the book Salted With Fire, available from the UUA bookstore." In terms of growth, Wally would like to have at least one or two Open Houses, not necessarily on Sunday, where we invite people from the surrounding area to come and find out what Unitarian Universalism is all about. "We had lots of food and a great UU panel at the last "New U" type meeting at Liberty School, but didn't invite the public. The Somerset Church had 2 Open House meetings when they started, and about 90 people showed up for each one. We may not get 90, but wouldn't even any lesser number suffice?" One of Wally's great joys is modern dance. Wally said, "I believe the body stores feelings and yearnings that we, for some reason, cannot verbalize, and that interpretive dance, spiritual dance, allows us to express these bodily stored elements. Rock and Roll boogying is included in this category. Thus I do what I can to promote modern dance, and even do my own style boogying whenever there is a party (hint, hint.)" When Wally was asked how he would like to be identified for this article he replied, "I am a Mystic. I believe that there is a power greater than us all, and that power mysteriously becomes present and helps to guide us when we meet in community, exhibit unconditional positive regard for each other, share our thoughts and feelings, make eye contact, seek creative solutions to our problems, and celebrate our accomplishments. (I'll never forget the person at the Hackensack shelter, where we provide dinner once a year, who said, "I like you UU's, you look me in the eye when you serve me.") My favorite guru, who has helped guide my life far more than any religious leader of ancient times, is Dr. William Glasser, a psychiatrist. He believes we are compelled to fulfill four basic needs: love and belonging, power, freedom and fun! (Our UUCP really needs to have more fun together!) If these needs are not amply satisfied, according to our individual perceptions, we develop mental disorders. He believes we need to stop operating in all areas of out life, with the existing "External Control System" and supplant it with what he calls "Choice Theory." In Wally's own words: "You are what you do, not what you proclaim you do. Activate or Deteriorate!" Wally passed away in April, 2008. |
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