Our New Covenant

Opening the liturgical theme of confession, Parisa expanded the term to include both private and corporate spheres of meaning. Individually, we confess, or ‘admit’ to, the ways in which we fall short of our ideals. This need not result in a guilt-inducing act of self-flagellation. Rather, we notice and name our shortcomings as an invitation to, as William Ellery Channing famously exhorted, “grow in the likeness of God.” Of course, our ability to transcend our own imperfection depends in large part on those individuals who companion us on the journey. Hence the importance of community. Parisa spoke passionately about the welcomed challenge of practicing physical fitness in a class environment, where the leader and fellow classmates simultaneously hold you accountable for your participation and push you past your comfort zone. So, too, as we train our spiritual health. By coming together in religious community, we pledge ourselves to aspirations of heightened character and purpose. Though we may well fall short of their unwavering attainment, we nevertheless vow to stand for them and by them. We confess, literally ‘acknowledge together,’ that these ways-of-being inform our time together, and in so doing form us in their image. Their goodness and truth serve as the measure against which we mark our creatureliness.


Following today’s service, the congregation voted to adopt a revision to its present Ames-inspired covenant, thereby acknowledging together how our faith community understands who it currently is and who it ought to become. This decision follows months of deep listening, thoughtful reflection and democratic discussion. I close with the words of this new covenant, as I pray it will serve as an ample source of reflection for this week, and for years to come:


In devotion to truth, searching along many spiritual paths,
We honor the living legacy of our faith in the human potential for goodness and in the God of limitless love, in whom we are one.
We unite in faith,
To celebrate the sacred as it reveals itself within and among us;
To promote spiritual growth and to care for those in need;
To honor and protect the natural world, which inspires wonder and sustains life;
To walk together in peace, committed to justice and compassion in our world.

Reflection for the Week: Our New Covenant