I serve on the Sex Education Advisory Board for the Mount Pleasant School District as a clergy representative. At our meeting this week, both a vote taken and the discussion surrounding it were disturbing to me. They represent the presence of extreme far-right thinking here in this community. The context of the vote and the discussion were the proposed renewal of the 6th grade sex education curriculum, with updates by the author. The objections that were voiced focused on how the topic of gender expression is presented in the classroom; and on the inclusion of a lesson on intersectionality, how race and other identities overlap with sexual and gender identities. The spokesperson for the objections cited the thinking of Ron DeSantis as influencing her opinions, and as a model for how we should approach sex education topics. When the question was called to a vote, 6 people agreed with her and 4 dissented, meaning that the board voted against approving the 6th grade sex education curriculum before us. I have followed a lot of what Ron DeSantis has done and said in Florida. His policies are blatantly anti-transgender. His education policy prohibits teaching the truth about race, racism, and slavery in this country. Until now, my concern and outrage about DeSantis’ ideas and policies has come from afar. It was very different this week to hear the same ideas quoted and applauded in person. The principles of racial equity and truth-telling; and of rights and dignity for people of all genders are Unitarian Universalist values. That is NOT what makes them indispensable principles for public education, however. Religion (even my religion, my beloved and liberal-minded UU religion) must not dictate policy in public schools. Racial equity and truth-telling, and rights and dignity for people of all genders are principles of a just society. The ideas of Ron DeSantis—echoed here in Mount Pleasant--are contrary to these principles and I will continue to oppose them. Finally, I don’t believe that any people are bad people. My fellow members on the Sex Education Advisory Board who voted against me are decent human beings and I will always be open to dialogue with them, seeking understanding while being grounded in love. PRAYER: May truth, love, and compassion enlighten all of us. May our discussions, our social justice work, and our public service be informed by love. May love strengthen us in the struggle for a more just world where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. Amen. Rev. Andrew Frantz |
Lord, the air smells good today, straight from the mysteries
within the inner courts of God. A grace like new clothes thrown across the garden, free medicine for everybody. The trees in their prayer, the birds in praise, the first blue violets kneeling. Whatever came from Being is caught up in being, drunkenly forgetting the way back. ~ RUMI This poem, with its birds and flowers and fresh air, evokes a springtime scene. A bit too early for that here on March 1st in Michigan, one of a few calm days this week in between snow storms. But in another way the poem is timeless: it is about joy and recklessness and abundance. The recklessness is throwing the new clothes across the garden; the abundance is free medicine for everybody; and the joy is found in celebrating a moment of being alive and of connecting to the Infinite / the Ultimate / the Divine through prayer and praise. Rumi’s poem challenges me with its exuberant recklessness. It is over the top. And it speaks to me because today I am seeking grace and prayer and praise. In a snow-covered neighborhood as the world turns from winter to spring, from Imbolc to Ostara, from February to March. Like all of us, I’m trying to be my best self and there is only one day to that: today. I am seeking grace and prayer and praise in a nation struggling with gun violence, oppression of women and trans people, and rampant economic inequality. This makes me cling to the free medicine for everybody line of the poem even more: abundance is possible. Human love is abundant; the grace of nature—birds and flowers or snow and lengthening days—is with us whenever we connect with it. Today I can choose to connect prayerfully to the mystery of Nature, of Life Unfolding – not in a way that seeks escape from the world’s problems or my own, but in a way that puts everything into perspective and sees everything through the lens of infinite love. PRAYER: Blessed be the words of the poet Rumi, translated and preserved across centuries. May we all be inspired today to connect with the birds and with the air, to praise life and this moment of suspended time. Through love may we bring forth the best in ourselves and in our world. May it be so. Rev. Andrew Frantz |
Rev. Andrew FrantzUUFCM Minister Summer Hours
Rev. Drew takes six weeks of time off during the summer months, and is also away for a full week at General Assembly. Although regular office hours are suspended for the summer, you may still contact Drew with any urgent Fellowship business if needed, or with significant pastoral care needs. Texting 440-935-0129 is the best way to reach Rev. Drew. [email protected] Phone/text: 440-935-0129 Pastoral Care Concerns
For support with life’s challenges, please contact Drew during his office hours or make an appointment with him. For specific needs such as rides to medical appointments or meals for people recovering from illness or surgery, please contact the Caring Team (formerly Arms Around) via Jen Prout at 989-400-3130 or [email protected]. Every effort will be made to lessen the burden on the individual or family who is dealing with a difficult circumstance. Archives
June 2024
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