A voice to tell us what we need to hear

Rev. Dr. Ed Brock is a Unitarian Universalist minister. Unitarian Universalists believe in the inherent worth of each person and the interconnected web of all life. Unitarian Universalists have shaped the course of justice in America and in the world in the tradition of inspiring ministers such as Theodore Parker who said in a sermon, "The arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice."

Sunday 10 June 2007 was the last day of Rev. Dr. Ed Brock as minister of the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist congregation. At that service, seven people spoke about Ed's ministry. On Monday, I posted my remarks. In this second installment, I share with you the email that John Tucker of the Peace and Justice committee wrote to Ed. John read this at the service and has granted me permission to share it.



Dear Ed:

I appreciate what you have done to bring the Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church along the path from a pastoral church to a programchurch.

I appreciate the spiritual help with which you graced me and my family.

I appreciate the support that you gave to the formation of the Peace andJustice Committee.

I appreciate the fact that you took a stand against the invasion of Iraqand the diversion of focus away from the forces that attacked us on 9/11. That was in October 2002, five months before the invasion. You warned of "…urban battle in the streets of Baghdad with thousands of civilian casualties."

I appreciate the boldness with which you denounced the use of torture and extraordinary rendition by the United States.

I appreciate that you spoke out against the erosion of liberty in thiscountry, evidenced by the illegal detention of people, the denial of theright of habeas corpus, the assault on the Constitution, and the spying on US citizens.

Some of your sermons were not appreciated by the entire congregation. Some members even called them unpatriotic. While the sermons were not nationalistic, they were the height of patriotism. There is a world of difference between nationalism and patriotism.
With the wisdom of hindsight, it is easy for us to see that you were right, but you had the foresight and moral courage to speak out at a crucial time.

I will miss you on Sundays, but I hope to hear your voice in other venues, telling us the things that we need to hear.

John Tucker, Peace and Justice Committee

To read a selection of Rev. Dr. Ed Brock's sermons, follow this link : http://www.euuc.org/ministerspage/sermons.htm

A Dad's Final Words

I met Dan at a restaurant. We talked about his father, a World War II veteran, who appeared in a movie about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Dan's father said that his son needed to be strong so he turned the house into a prison camp. His father was the torturer and Dan was the prisoner. He believed that to survive any war, Dan needed to prepare for it. Torturing him was that preparation. When Dan's dad was about to die, here's what he said.

"Dan, I've been hard on you. I’ve caused you much pain. I don't want you to remember that about me.
"You've always asked me to go fishing with you. When you were young, we only went fishing together only once. That day you caught a fish. I saw the delight in your eyes. I was so proud of you. You made me happy.
"My son, when you think of me, forget the pain I caused you. Remember that day you and I went fishing together."
Then he passed away.

Farewell, Ed and Alphise

Sunday, 10 June 2007, was the last Sunday of the church year at Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Congregation. It was also Rev. Dr. Edward Brock's last day in the pulpit, ending his seven years as minister of this 330-member- liberal religious community.
"I believe...that my time for leadership here has passed. There is a need for new energy and talent to lead this wonderful congregation to even greater heights of achievement and service," Rev. Dr. Ed Brock wrote in a letter of 18 May 2007 he sent to Members and Friends of EUUC.
At the parting service, I was among seven people who spoke about Rev. Ed. Brock's legacy. Here's the full text of my talk.

Farewell, Alphise and Rev Dr. Ed Brock
Kwami E. Nyamidie

I was born in Togo, West Africa, a land far away....For someone from far away, it is important to find a welcoming community...

I found my community at this church...Being involved in this church changed my life. I came here through Alphise and you, and met Bruce, and one thing led to the other. I went to seminary and graduate school.

Now I am on my own course of ministry; my choices include becoming a minister or DRE. I have chosen a path that seems genuine to me, the work of spiritual direction. I am now building my spiritual direction practice.

One of our hymns speaks of how our community of faith gives us roots and wings. Roots ground us in what is firm and sure, and wings give us freedom. You have helped in giving me roots that ground my being; I am now preparing to take wing to rise as the spirit of life guides me.

Someone has said that we all have different needs at different stages of our lives. For me, this church, and you, Ed, have helped me make important decisions at a critical point in my life. For that I am deeply grateful.

Through this church and you, Ed, I have built relationships with some people here that will last a lifetime. For that also, I am deeply grateful.

As this congregation looks to its future, may you build a "community that nurtures spiritual growth, celebrates the interdependence of all life, and works to bring justice and compassion into every dimension of the lives of its members."

Ed, as you venture into your future, may you experience constant enrichment of your life and ministry.

Here is link to the sermons of Rev. Dr Ed Brock