“This house is for the ingathering of nature and human nature.

It is a house of friendships, a haven in trouble, an open room for the

Encouragement of our struggle.

It is a house of freedom, guarding the dignity and worth of every person.

It offers a platform for the free voice,

for declaring, both in times

Of security and danger, the full and

undivided conflict of opinion.”

These are words from the late UU Kenneth Patton.  They are great words, describing what a ‘home’ for religious liberals really is.  It’s not just about siding, shingles, plumbing, floors—that would be describing merely a house. 

Our Fellowship here in Manatee has a history--so caringly described by our own Leslie Roell--of religious pioneers who were determined to create a gathering place for free thinkers—Unitarian Universalists in particular—to be a bastion of religious freedom here in Manatee County.  That strong desire and sacrifice by a mere handful is the legacy we enjoy today.  The incredibly hard work they volunteered, the true gifts of time, talent and treasure they brought to this Fellowship can only be spoken of in terms of near-reverence.

After many months, actually some years now, of retreats and town hall meetings, of equally hard work done by our current volunteers and leaders, of all the demographic studies and congregational surveys, we have come to some conclusions: namely, that this land, this ‘house of freedom’ where we stand is actually in the best possible location to meet our current and future needs as we ebb and flow, wane and now grow.  That doesn’t rule out the possibility of new structures, additions, and of course, all the inevitable repairs, but it does signal something very important in our collective lives here at the Fellowship.  We are here to stay.  With forethought, and proactive planning, we now have a strong sense of where we belong, both physically and religiously, as we come to better understand what our ministry is to each other and to our community.

“It is a house of truth-seeking, where scientists can encourage devotion

to their quest, where mystics can abide

in a community of searchers.

It is a house of art, adorning its celebrations

With melodies and handiworks.

It is a house of prophecy,

outrunning times past and times present

In visions of growth and progress.

This house is a cradle for our dreams,

The workshop of our common endeavor”

With all that in mind, we will be here to stay, holding true to our Mission Statement as “A friendly beacon for religious freedom, supporting lifelong spiritual growth and working for social justice with compassion and love.”

With hearts and minds united let us create our future together.