democratic process

Sunday 3 August, 2025: Democratic Process

Robert


Still, no metrics exist to measure life without institutions, because they’ve been around as long as humankind. The first institution was the first family. The tribe was the first community. The first tribe’s leader was the first politician, and its elders were the first legislature. Its guards, the first police force. Its storyteller, a teacher. Humans are coded to create communities, and communities beget institutions.

— Ron Fournier and Sophie Quinton, ”How Americans Lost Trust in Our Greatest Institutions”

Robert Helfer will lead a service on faith and community:

Our services are Sundays at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time on ZOOM and in person at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse. A coffee hour, a time for discussion and socializing (including ZOOM participants), follows from the end of the service until 12:00 noon. More about us.

If you prefer not to be seen, video is optional. If you would like to participate online, please email westforkuu@gmail.com for details and a link, or for help with using ZOOM.

We would love to have you come worship with us.

Children are welcome.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom. You may park on the south side of the building, which is marked reserved for the PWA, or the north, where the reserved spaces are available on Sundays.

Map

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

Sunday, August 4, 2012

CZ

“The only way we’ll get freedom for ourselves is to identify ourselves with every oppressed people in the world. We are blood brothers to the people of Brazil, Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba — yes Cuba too.”
― Malcolm X

“People shouldn’t be afraid of their government. Governments should be afraid of their people.”
― Alan Moore, V for Vendetta

“Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.

Join us for Worship: This Sunday, Cricket Hall will explore the fifth principle “The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our                  congregations and in society at large”

Our services are Sundays at 11 a.m.  at the Progressive Women’s Association Event Center, 305 Washington Ave. in downtown Clarksburg, behind the Courthouse. There are classes for children and adults 10 to 10:45 am, and a coffee gathering before the service. More about us.

We would love to have you come worship with us.

Children are welcome.  There is childcare and an activity for young children during the service.

The building is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible restroom.

Map

The schedule for the current adult religious education class is here.

Email westforkuu@gmail.com or use our contact form for more information

or write to us at PO Box 523, Clarksburg WV 26302

 

Picture Credit to the UUA.

 

 

Devotional for Day 5

CZ
By Luke Stevens-Royer

(written for the Presidential Election, 2016)

I walk in, as on pilgrimage.
The altar cloths are red, white, and blue
the ushers are the women
who have been running these things
who have been running everything
since before I was born.

I’m handed the ballot
like a scroll
because the questions
seem that important—
ancient and modern
of what my God and country
ask of me:
who?

Who—for commissioner, mayor, president—
who—for district 8, ward 7, school board—
who—will do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly?

I make my mark
with at least a shred of hope
that something good will come from this.

And regardless, I remember:
the world won’t be destroyed, entirely, by this;
the world won’t be saved, entirely, by this.

Marking my vote
is like kneeling in prayer
because neither will accomplish
anything right away—
but the purpose of both
is to remind me
of my deepest hope
for the world that I’m trying to help create.

So I rise from prayer,
and turn in my ballot
and remember the who is me,
and us, and we the people—
and again I set to the task that is mine:
justice, mercy, humble service
in my small corner of the world.

Activities for Day 5

CZ

The fifth principle is The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations and in society at large or All people need a voice.

Here are some activities to help you celebrate:

As a family

Could your household be running smoother? Why don’t you call a family meeting and ask the kids for their input. Not only will you be giving your children a voice, but you may learn something you never knew, and gain some insight into your children.

Talk about government and how it runs.

As an Individual

Sometimes, people need us to help them get their voices heard. Get involved with an organization that advocates for a subpopulation, or stand up for someone on the street or on the playground.

Write letters or make phone calls to members of congress.

Food

Plan a special meal with family or friends, hold a vote on what you’ll eat. Majority wins!

Gifts

Offer your shoulder and your ear to anyone who needs someone to talk to. Try hard to not be defensive, dismissive, or offer up “quick fixes.” Sure, it may be a hard to hear about someone else’s heartache, but you’ll be giving someone comradery and compassion—two gifts that are priceless.