#iamuu

[dreaming9to5]

All but one of this semester's books. *sigh* #candlerlife #seminarian #seminarylife #unitarianuniversalist #iamuu (at Michael C. Carlos Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/Btt6MxBg6Sf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ujm0ggythvgh

[dreaming9to5]

Bibliomancy this morning in Singing The Living Tradition, the #uu hymnal. We learn from the wisdom of the world's faiths, and these words are a core tenet of my theology. #iamuu #seminarian #candlerlife (at UUMAN - Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3PqOygXxQ/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u5ptdlei5zts

[dreaming9to5]

I've decided to cope with the rapid fall of democracy by baking. Which is to say, I taught my sons #navigators group tonight how to make bread because Ive been stress-baking recently and it was an easy thing to teach. #iamuu #datmomlyftho #bread #bikerbakerseminarianrisktaker https://www.instagram.com/p/Bp-1LBQgL4l/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qy61dmgv175o

[dreaming9to5]

My amazing former boss arranged for these for Pride this weekend! #pride #yallmeansall #bisexualpride #iambi #iamuu #unitarianuniversalist #supportyoursistersnotjustyourcisters https://www.instagram.com/p/Bow1hlDjq91/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1s0uhj8633u21

[dreaming9to5]

In case you were wondering what seminary is like while also working and raising kids. #seminarian #seminary #iamuu #candlerlife #fulltimeeverything #datmomlyftho #sotired #sendhalpplz (at Candler School of Theology - Emory University) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn81irRHT4h/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1bli3d0727dwx

[dreaming9to5]

Sunday morning #bibliomancy. #iamuu #unitarianuniversalist #singingthelivingtradition #ralphwaldoemerson (at UUMAN - Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North)

[dreaming9to5]

"Cat's in the Cradle: Reflections on Masculinity, Trauma, and Fatherhood" this morning. #iamuu #seminarian #unitarianuniversalist #imthepreachernow summerlayministry (at UUMAN - Unitarian Universalist Metro Atlanta North)

[i-am-uu]

Your admin would like to ask a moment of your time while I clear up a misconception about the I Am UU project, my work on the project, and the question of whether that work has enough value to Unitarian Universalism to allow me to keep doing it.

I am not asking for charity.

There are hundreds of people and dozens of congregations using my work each week. It reaches tens of thousands of people, and it has led some of them to explore Unitarian Universalism.

A normal week for me consists of 20 hours of reading books, blog posts, and sermons (though I get to watch some of those on video). I spend several hours writing and editing the Monday Mediation, and a couple of more if I create an original graphic to go with it. I spend time writing for the website and blog, responding to emails, and moderating the social media. In all, an average week of work is about 50 hours.

Theologian James Luther Adams taught us that: "The faith of a church or of a nation is an adequate faith only when it inspires and enables people to give of their time and energy to shape the various institutions - social, economic, and political - of the common life."

I am asking you, my elders, mentors, and siblings in faith, to enable me to keep giving my energy and time to this work.

I believe that this work is valuable and important. I've given myself away for slightly longer than has been reasonable. I simply cannot do it any more. Not wanting to give up on the project, I put together a list of things I think people most appreciate, and I put a price on what I need to make those things happen. That list is on the left side of the screen of our Patreon Page.

I have asked for feedback. I have asked for suggestions. I will always welcome constructive criticism. I need to know if people want me to keep working on the I Am UU project, and if so, what things they are willing to make happen. I can change the goals for the project somewhat. I can offer special access or thank-yous to those who contribute. I can cut back a lot and put some of my time into other, hopefully paying, projects if I cannot raise enough support to warrant my full-time attention.

I need to know, from you all, what your hopes for the project are.