In the 1970’s when I became a Unitarian Universalist,  I met with the Fellowship Committee of the Unitarian Universalist Association.  They looked at my resume, educated at a Methodist college and Duke University.  They recommended that I become more familiar with Unitarian Universalist history.  For the next ten years, I did just that.  I studied our history and wrote a doctoral dissertation on the subject.  It became my passion.
As we look at the history of Unitarian Universalism we find an evolution of thought about theology, about God, and Jesus, Sin and Evil.  There is one aspect of our faith that has never changed:  Our belief that we must live our values.  This is the brief message I want to give today, and I have invited members of Northwest to share some of the ways we live these values today.  I want to thank James Leggat for joining us today and telling us about the James’ House.  The James’ House is an organization where the values of liberal religion are lived out every day.  I thank you, James, for your good works.
The basic tenet of our faith, both Unitarian and Universalism is a belief that we are part of all that is.  We call it the Interdependent Web of which we are a part.  This relation to all that is can motivate us to reach out to others in charity, in co-creation, in work for the common good of all.
          Before I invite all of you to share “The Fruits of Your Labor” I want to remind you of some Unitarian Universalists who have come before you.  As most of you know our movement began in Europe in the 16^th and 17^th centuries.  If you go to Transylvania today you will find many villages where Unitarianism is the primary religion.  When we go there, we find the church in the middle of the community, the same way it is in New England towns today.  The church in the middle of the town reminds us of its central importance.        When we give money to Unitarian churches in Transylvania they often need to fix up their buildings that were not allowed to be kept up during the communist regime.  The churches there also want us to help people in the community.  When I visited there they took me to residents whose roofs had open gaping holes and no floors.  They used part of their money to repair their homes.  One church started a bakery where bread could be made and given to the poor residents.
         In England when Unitarianism spread there, the more Orthodox questioned our theology, but they never questioned the morals of Unitarian leaders.  One of those leaders was John Biddle who preached against the Trinity in the 17^th century.  One of his converts was a wealthy manufacturer, Thomas Firmin.  Firmin lived his religious values by giving lavishly to charity, when he founded factories in London to employ the destitute because of the London fire of 1666.  John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, criticized Firmin for his theology but praised him for his good deeds.  The Methodists call this piety.  George Marshall, author of the “Challenge of a Liberal Faith”, says these important figures in history were often seen as outcasts for their theological views, but “saints by their character, their humanitarianism and their works.” 
          The names are many:  Florence Nightingale, who organized the nursing corps in the Crimean War which led to the development of the nursing profession and emphasized the moral character of women.  Nightingale was also a devout Unitarian.  We can add many to this list for moral reform in America:  Clara Barton, Julia Ward Howe, and Dorothea Dix, as they worked to reform mental and penal institutions, Joseph Tuckerman worked endlessly for social welfare in Boston.  Others worked for immigrants and for the blind.  There were many who worked for women’s suffrage and temperance, and against slavery, improved sanitation and for universal education.  The fruits of our labor have been many and varied.
          At the present time Northwest is looking closely at your mission.  There are many who see Northwest as a place to live out their values in the world.  When I am called by prospective candidates this year, I will praise Northwest for its work in creating a more green world.  This is a logical part of your mission and vision.  You have a wonderful church in the woods.  At the same time, I encourage you to see the church as related to the larger world.  Your values should reach into many aspects of Greater Atlanta. 
This is seen in your Donate the Plate Sundays.  We can share our wealth with many organizations.  But we should not stop there.  We can give of our time and energy to the important causes that make this world a better place.  This is why I have asked many of you to share some of the fruits of your labor today.  I thank all of you for your work and for sharing it with us today.  I especially thank Jimmy and Becky Searles for taking on the co-chairs of the Outreach Ministry Team.  I have invited them to share their vision for Northwest today.  Thank you Jimmy and Becky.