Reply to All Souls UU in DC - why did Rev. Susan leave?

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[quote=Anonymous]Thanks so much for answering these questions.  I really appreciate it  During the day i was able to find quite a bit of info online, too.  I had not known about the online groups.  There is also a discussion at the church this week that one of us will attend.  But overall, my impression is very, very negative.  There are two sides to every story.  Listening to her side - even if 10% of what she said was true - raises deep concerns about how she was perceived and treated.  Reading the posts the community has put online, even if they don't reflect the views of every member, and even if there are several repeat voices on those strings - well, I just can't imagine myself hearing "beloved community" from the pulpit and feeling anything but empty.

Finally, in our experiences there, we've found some lovely, warm and welcoming people.  Fabulous music, great sermons, comfort after the election.  But we've also wondered about how the place was managed, to what degree it carries debt, and an overall feeling that its efforts are very scattered.  And weirdly, a lack of community - which the raging online debates reinforce.  It did not really hit me until last December when I volunteered at my child's preschool, which is run by another religious denomination.  We had to do a Christmas event with the kids, so we were in the church that is part of the school.  And it was so well maintained and run - there was a community vibe - volunteers from the church, (their equivalent of green souls, i suppose)  for example, showed up to make sure the coffee we volunteered to run used only ceramic mugs and no disposables - on a weekday.  (I know All Souls also uses ceramic mugs, my point is the dedication of the community.)  They had also raised funds for solar panels for the church.  There was focus and results!  I was amazed.  Still, theologically, joining said church is way, way, way beyond my comfort zone.  But I was considerably less excited to trek over there after I had this realization  Then I heard about Rev Susan, and was waiting to hear more.  That put me off too.  I work in HR, and perhaps because of knowing how HR issues can go, was perplexed that whatever the situation was, it had come to her having to leave.

All Souls has been so wonderful because of the uniqueness of UU, esp, for me the 4th principle of a free and responsible search for truth and meaning.  And most especially because of its rich diversity and history.  Now I feel like going over there is almost farce.

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