Contemplating the service for this morning, the theme of water was upper-most in my mind. I have participated in the Syracuse Community Choir for the past year. The choir is a great group of people which really puts its principles into practice...principles of equality and acceptance of all people, regardless of their disabilities.... this means having music available in Braille and large print for the visually impaired; words only for those who don’t read music; arranging rides and providing child-care for those who need those supports; having all concerts sign-interpreted for the hearing impaired; and so on. One of the choir members who is blind is really good on the piano, and he accompanies at least one song during each concert.
Songs reflect the importance of building a world of peace and justice, and that building begins close to home. Each rehearsal begins with a meditation, in which we envision ourselves as trees, rooted in the earth and extending our branches into the atmosphere, and beyond, into the galaxy. We see ourselves as interconnected with everything around us, and then we begin to hum...and then to sing. People in the choir seem to really care about each other, reaching out in concrete and friendly ways. As you can tell, I like the choir. That’s why I am willing to drive to Syracuse to rehearse with it. It’s kind of like coming here... worth the effort because it resonates with something deep within. It is a place where we can be our whole selves, living out our beliefs, and living in harmony not only with ourselves, but also with each other.
Last spring the Syracuse Community Choir performed a concert at the Inner Harbor in Syracuse. The title of the event was “Water, Precious Water.” We celebrated the greatness of water. People of the Onondaga Nation helped to honor the water with their prayers and a simple ceremony in which water and blessings were poured into the harbor. One of the songs we sang was called River of Life:

I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me
Makes the soul to soar and the mind to see
Opens prison doors, sets the captives free
I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me.

Spring forth a well inside my soul
Spring forth a well make me whole
Spring forth a well that gives to me
Abundantly.

Unitarian Universalist churches are sometimes referred to as Creedless churches. They are also called Godless churches, and a variety of other names. Actually, the term Unitarian was first used in a derogatory way by those who believed in the Trinity, which, after all, was the majority of people in the United States at the time. But the Unitarians embraced the term as descriptive of their belief in one God, and the rest is history, as they say. Today people in Unitarian Universalist churches have a variety of beliefs about God- whether He or She exists in some form, and if so, what that form might be.
In regard to being a creedless church; it is true. Unitarian Universalist churches have no creed which members must avow... nothing like the Apostles’ Creed. But we do have principles to guide us. At this time they are seven in number- I say at this time, because there used to be six principles, and then one was added... one which I would like to highlight today.
We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote: Respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.

When we think about water, it becomes clear that we are all part of an interdependent web of existence. If we are without pure water for any length of time, we cannot exist. Water flows through each of us, animating us, and keeping us alive. There are places in the world which do not have sufficient clean water... places experiencing drought, or war-torn societies... people living in extreme poverty.. places where water has been privatized as a way for some to gain great wealth while others experience great need. The right to access clean water has become a moral issue. The Unitarian Universalist Service Committee (UUSC) has made this a focus of their attention. We can, too. There may be simple things we can do, like conserving water ourselves, and teaching our children not to waste or pollute water, but to treasure it as the precious gift it is.
When I was contemplating water, I realized that in its natural state it is often unpredictable... uncontrollable. Sometimes the rain or snow just comes down...and down....and down. Flooding occurs, as happened recently in the Southern Tier of New York State, or a year ago with Hurricane Katrina. We have all experienced excesses of snow and ice in this area. Sometimes we feel overwhelmed by the power of nature.
At other times, we take water for granted. Clean water comes out of our faucets in ample supply. We don’t even think about it, until a warning comes on our television or radio- water shortage, or boil-water alert.. Then we are taken-up-short - what to do? We need to reorganize ourselves- our thoughts and our behaviors -in order to cope with the situation at hand. We need to adjust and find a new balancing point.
What I would like to suggest, and some of you may already be doing this, is that we approach the river of life with awareness, humility, and respect. We can observe nature, becoming aware of its great power and and sometimes unpredictability. We can look for its patterns and rhythms, attempting to go with the flow. We can seek always to find new balancing points, recognizing that the river, as it flows, is never the same from moment to moment. We can let the river refresh us, washing away the old, and bringing us into consciousness of the present moment. We can realize that, as in our water ceremony this morning, water and beliefs come from many sources, and when we can honor and celebrate that rich diversity, we will be brought together.
We are often unaware of all the ways in which we are interconnected. Steve Irwin, known as the crocodile hunter, died recently. He was a great conservationist and educator, as well as a supreme show-man. He helped to highlight the importance of loving and protecting creatures which were often discounted as vile and unworthy. Without the need to tackle crocodiles, or to go on tour or television, we can seek our own ways to love and protect those who are reviled among us. It is difficult work, but it must be done.... for the good of all of us.
The river of life flows by, but the creatures and minute organisms in the water, and the plants and creatures on its banks, are all connected to the river, no matter how invisible that connection may seem to be. When any one element is threatened or injured, it has an effect on other elements. When any element is protected, that also has an effect. There is a ripple effect in all we do, say, or think. May we become aware of our part in the interdependent web of existence, and may we act with love, respect, and humility as we play our parts. When we join our waters together, there is a power of renewal; when we join our voices together, there is a power of joy, and we can call for justice; when we join our spirits together, there is a power of love, and we can seek truth in freedom. May it be so.