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Rev. Xolani Kacela, Ph.D.

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Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and Rev. Katie Romano Griffin

November 13, 2021 by xk Leave a Comment

Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and Rev. Katie Romano Griffin

Take On Faith – November 13, 2021

Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and Rev. Katie Romano Griffin were guests on Take On Faith. They serve as senior and associate minister at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, MD. You’ll love this lively talk with host Rev. Xolani Kacela.

Click the arrow to listen to the audio or click here to download the file.

During the talk, Rev. Abhi Janamanchi and Rev. Katie Romano Griffin discussed Unitarian Universalism and how they approach multi-cultural and multi-faith ministry. Wise and clear, they opened up about how BIPOC leaders do their work in mostly white churches. They laid out how important it is to reach beyond race to build beloved community.

Importantly, they reflect on Cedar Lane’s mission. They spoke about Spirit Experience, a special service the church offers. You’ll learn how they manage cultural differences and other leadership challenges. Both guests kept it 100.

Janamanchi and Romano Griffin engaged Xolani Kacela in a must-hear conversation. It will tickle your senses. You’ll want to share this podcast with all your friends!

You can reach Rev. Janamanchi at: ajanamanchi@cedarlane.org; Facebook; Twitter.

You can reach Rev. Romano Griffin at: kromanogriffin@cedarlane.org; Instagram; Facebook.

Rev. Erin J. Walter

September 24, 2021 by xk Leave a Comment

Rev. Erin J. Walter, UU Community Minister

Take On Faith – October 25, 2021

Rev. Erin J. Walter is a community minister ordained in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. She also plays bass for two bands: Parker Woodland and Butch County. She joined host Xolani Kacela from her home in Austin, Texas. You will enjoy this episode of Take On Faith on KTAL-LP.

Rev. Walter (center)

Erin Walter talked about her life as a minister in liberal faith. She discussed the sacred part of her ministry many people don’t see. Walter shared much needed wisdom. In particular, she described ways to build bridges over our differences.

The pandemic affects us all, she said. She described how her UU ministry affects the people she serves. A member of the Texas UU Justice Ministry, her work often focuses on social justice. She put light on how listeners can change their neighborhoods by being humble.

Click the arrow above to listen to the audio or click here to download the file.

You can reach Rev. Erin J. Walter on her websites, ErinWalter.com and ParkerWoodland.com.

From the guest’s website:

Rev. Erin serves the wider community through ministry open to people of all faiths, including:

  • Officiating weddings, memorials, and rites of passage
  • Guest preaching, music, workshop facilitation, camp chaplaincy, retreat leadership, and spiritual direction
  • Teaching Zumba for body and spirit in community settings
  • Writing about ministry and music for publications including the UU World and Austin American-Statesman

Erin’s community ministry is intentionally eclectic and grounded in the first and seventh UU principles — affirming the worth and dignity of all people, interconnected across faiths and cultures, age groups and class. She is an original TXHandmaid, using arts activism to promote reproductive rights, as well as a member of the queer rock band Butch County and activist supporting human rights movements for accessibility, racial justice, immigrant rights, trans rights, and more.

MUSIC AS MINISTRY

Rev. Erin serves via songwriting and community building with her band, Parker Woodland. Their new EP “Live From LOVE Hill” is available on Bandcamp starting Friday, 9/3/21, to benefit mental health serves by the SIMS Foundation. Listen to Parker Woodland’s debut EP “The World’s On Fire (and We Still Fall in Love)” on Spotify, Youtube, and wherever you buy or stream music.

Dealing with Fear, Anxiety, and Anger

September 21, 2021 by xk Leave a Comment

Dealing with Fear, Anxiety, and Anger

Take On Faith – September 18, 2021

Dealing with fear, anxiety, and anger requires disciplined spirituality and commitment to your values. During the show, Rev. Xolani Kacela, host of Take On Faith, discusses some of the challenges churches faced and still face during the pandemic.

Rev. Xolani Kacela goes solo on this episode of Take On Faith.

Importantly, Kacela explores the struggles to build on-line community amid fear, anxiety, and anger. Kacela builds upon his Unitarian Universalist practice.

Also, he explores the spiritual practice called reconciliation. He attributes the practice to the African American mystic and spiritual teacher, Howard Thurman.

During this solo episode, Kacela shares an intimate story from his past about attempting reconciliation. He discusses the risks we encounter pursuing honest relationships in an era of great division.

Enjoy a very personal talk and discover ways for taking your spirituality to the next level.

Tune by clicking the link below.

Click on the arrow to listen to the content or click right here to download.

Excerpt from Jumpstart Your Allyship on interrogating your feelings

In the episode, Rev. XK addresses the need to confront and interrogate your feelings. Here is an excerpt from his latest book, Jumpstart Your Allyship, which covers the topic in detail.

It is important to acknowledge and accept uncomfortable feelings, knowing that they represent something tangible in your experience. But, first, you need to determine what those feelings represent. Lean into them until you have answers. Once you nail down what caused your feelings, you can confront your history and move into your new self-image.

(This work may involve you beginning a relationship with a culturally competent mental health provider. Either way, you will need to confront your feelings and find a resolution to be an effective, reliable ally.)

Calling UUs Preparing to Reopen

August 26, 2021 by xk Leave a Comment

Calling UUs Preparing to Reopen

Calling UUs Preparing to Reopen. This post is for my fellow UUs as they prepare to reopen. Please don’t forget to include BIPOC UUs in your preparations. This is essential if you are going to “keep it 100” and jumpstart your allyship.

I’m calling you to be intentional and invite a representative number of BIPOCs into your deliberations and ask for their perspectives. If your congregation is like mine, you already have BIPOCs on your staff. Indeed, you must have BIPOC members whom you can consult about your reopening protocols.

If I were you, I’d ask those BIPOC staff and members for their viewpoints on what needs to happen for them to feel welcomed when you resume in-person worship and church activities. They will have points of view that may differ from the white staff and membership. What a gift this is for you!

Less than 100 responses

You may respond, “The BIPOCs in my congregation are not on staff, and we only have a handful that attend services. I don’t believe they are interested in this.” Some might respond, “We’ve already figured it out and have a game plan. It is not possible to change the plan. I hope not. Others may say, “We don’t have any BIPOCs on staff nor the membership.” This is totally not aligned with the UU vision for beloved community or our UU Principles and values.

The reopening of UU spaces during the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic is the perfect time to reset your priorities and make sure you are keeping it 100 with your BIPOC constituency. In fact, the pandemic has given us all an extended period to rethink and strategize how we welcome all people. Eighteen months is a true gift of time.

But given the report, Widening the Circle of Concern, UU clergy and church staffs have had sufficient time and data to support making how we welcome BIPOCs a special priority. I’m assuming UU clergy have ALL read the report by now. That is, unless you are a Gadfly.

If you haven’t read the report, it’s time. I’ll go further. You’re out of covenant with UUA leadership, colleagues, and congregations if you haven’t read it.

UU Church of Las Cruces is keeping it 100!

Here at UU Church of Las Cruces, the board is reading and studying the report. All members have access to the full report.

If that is your situation, please read the Commission on Appraisal’s most recent report on covenant. It is titled Unlocking the Power of Covenant. Most likely, it sits on your office desk, awaiting you to retrieve it. Get ‘er done!

Now, back to the reopening. Undoubtedly, safety is your highest priority. You’ve got to get the best minds affixed on reopening safely. No doubt, you must exercise due diligence not to encourage viral spread. That, too, deserves BIPOC input.

Again, now is the time to sharpen your skills on keeping it 100.

Definition of “Keeping it 100!”

In case you do NOT know what I mean by “keeping it 100,” here is an excerpt from my blockbuster book, The Black UU Survival Guide:

“Keeping it 100” is another way of saying keeping it real or “honoring your own experiences and feelings. Keeping it 100 invites you to be honest by prioritizing your truth. Each of us needs to separate our own truth from our parents, spouses/partners,  friends, communities, and culture. As related to being an ally, it means choosing to act in alignment with your express desires.

For example, if you believe there needs to be more equity and inclusion among White and BIPOC UUs, you’ll need to act in ways that make such equity and inclusion a reality. Your new way of being may include sacrifices you hadn’t previously considered. You may need to give up some of your privilege, preferences, and power so that BIPOC UU can exert more of their own, instead. Be prepared to abandon, or revise, the “truths” you learned about earlier in life about BIPOCs that led to contemporary disparities in UU culture.

It also means taking responsibility for your lack of understanding about race, racism, and the lives of BIPOCs. Be open and curious about how you developed the perspectives you have. What experiences do you draw upon when forming your views and ways of relating to and understanding BIPOCS.[1]

For those who are already back to in-person worship and community gathering, keep it 100!

For those getting ready, keep it 100!

For those who are already keeping it 100, right on, Ashe, and blessed be.


[1] The Black UU Survival Guide: How to Survive as a Black Unitarian Universalist and How Allies Can Keep it 100, 2021, 12.

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