Spirit of Life
Source of all inspiration,
Affirmation of every loving relationship,
Confidence of those facing their final hour,
Be present in and amongst us--right now.

How grateful we are to gather here this evening
to unite the Reverend Wayne Robinson with
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Fort Myers as their settled minister
energized by the excitement of this absolutely splendid new building
and the promising fall the two of you have enjoyed together.

Today many promises will be made dedicating everyone to the highest ideals
of congregational life and lifting up a glorious vision of what ministry can be.

I fear the morning after may not be as high and exalted as this moment.

Even after stating the best intentions and making every effort
the criticism and doubts will come.
I already know the words and so do you.
"The minister is too spiritual." "The minister lacks spirituality."
"He didn't visit me when I was in the hospital."
"He didn't listen when I was in pain."
"He interferes too much in the business of the church."
"He neglects attending my committee meetings."
Well, I'll let you in on a ministerial secret:
Lying awake tossing in the middle of the night wiping away the tears,
your new minister may have a few choice words for you as well.

What will get us all, every one of us,
through these narrowings of the heart
will be our honesty with our feelings,
will be our courage to speak the truth to each other with love,
will be our faith in what is beyond our limited individual self-interest:
that common spirit we share but none can possess.

May that common spirit infuse this service
May that common spirit find a home in each of our hearts
May that common spirit unite us in wordless reverence
As we celebrate this most holy act of union together.

SO BE IT