Rev. Dr. Xolani Kacela is committed to honoring truth. One of the truths he knows, deeply, is what it means to serve. He understands how we can all help keep it 100.
He has served in the U.S. military as a chaplain, served on the Ministerial Fellowship Committee with Rev. Greg, our UUA Nominating Committee and on our Commission on Appraisal. He is currently serving as minister of our Las Cruces, NM congregation. The other truth that he knows deeply, is the experience of being black in America – as well as being Black in Unitarian Universalism. He has recently completed two books: ‘The Black UU Survival Guide’ and ‘Jumpstart Your Allyship.’
How we can keep all help keep it 100 refers to individual orientation truth telling and sense making. It is a new way to say “keep it real.”
The following video comes courtesy of the Mission Peak UU Congregation in Fremont, CA. The Rev. Greg Ward serves as settled minister. Mrs. Kathi Baynes served as worship associate for the service, held on September 26, 2021. Rev. Kacela preached via Zoom.
Sermon Reading
You’re a Black person looking for a new place to worship. You found your way to a Unitarian Universalist (UU) congregation, and the worship style inspired you in unexpected ways. You didn’t know “spiritual, but not religious” churches were a thing. Perhaps the UU principles caught your attention; they seem thought-out and you’ve seen nothing like them in other churches. You think you may have discovered that church home you’ve been looking for.
You are unsure how to get more involved because no one has cornered you to explain. You are unsure what it will feel like to engage further in a community with so few BIPOCs. You long for fellowship that includes other Black “spiritual but not religious” types like you, people open to non-traditional gender identities, and other progressive perspectives, but this is the community you have found, and despite its limitations, it has unique attractions for you.
