All Are Saved: Living is Giving

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Unitarian Universalists believe all are saved. If there is a God, it is a loving God who would not condemn anyone to hell, who loves everyone.

Each life is sacred. Each person is unique and valued and has a piece of the truth. What we do with our lives matters.

Hope and love are for everyone, no matter what despair there has been, no matter what we have done or not done, no matter what has been done to us. Healing and wholeness are always possible. This is not only individual salvation but communal. Universal worth and universal love call us to work for justice, for equality in humankind, for beloved community, for heaven on earth.

John Murray who lived from 1741 to 1815 preached Universalism. His message was, “uncover your light, let it shine…give men and women, not Hell, but hope and courage…preach the kindness and everlasting love of God.” Hope, courage, kindness, and love.

As Murray was dying, he comforted his family with these last words, “Remember, there is… an everlasting love…[that] will never leave you nor forsake you.”

We are here to live, to give, to love.

In truth, living, giving, and loving are what save us.

Sunday, April 4, one of our dearly beloved members, 102 year old Frances Hanna died.

Frances ’ life involved performing dance and drama. She knew a lot about timing and the power of the final act.

Two weeks ago Sunday morning, Frances was all dressed up. John and Lynne Cahoon drove to her home to pick her up. She was excited to come to church.

She said she felt a little dizzy and then collapsed. John eased her fall.

Lynne knows Frances had no pain…Lynne says no one ever looked so peaceful.

In many of our lives, Frances’ presence was large. She was active, alert, alive. As word of her death traveled among the community, we all were shocked. Shocked. We had to remind ourselves, she was 102!

Just a couple weeks previously, Frances spoke in a Sunday service to standing ovation! What an ending!

Frances died on Easter Sunday. The Easter story is one with death at the center. Death and rebirth. I don’t know if Jesus was physically resurrected or not. I doubt it.

But there was a spiritual rebirth for his friends and followers. He died and saved them. After his death, the way he lived and what he said about loving took new importance. He gave them new life.

Death always has the possibility of bringing new life. No matter how long we live, even 102 years, death encourages us to see the human span is short and to see the importance of tending to what really matters.

As we mark Frances’ death, we commemorate her life and what is most dear. Even if you never met Frances, her life can touch you. Her death offers each of us a spiritual rebirth.

I give you Frances Hanna.

~Video of Frances speaking 1-07-07, 1-06-08, and 1-04-09~

I’m not saying it is guaranteed if you come to church regularly, write lovely cards of appreciation, you will live to be a vital 102, but it has happened.

I’m not saying it is guaranteed if you are loving and giving, you will live to be a vital 102, but it has happened.

Annie Dillard has written, “I think that the dying pray at the last not ‘please,’ but ‘thank you,’ as the guest thanks the host at the door.”

Frances was thankful for her good life.

And we, the survivors and loved ones, who have received so much from the one dying, say “thank you.”

Thank you for sharing with us the grand gift of your life.

Frances , you’re right. You did it.

We would really like to have you do it again.

But, you’re right. You really did it.

You let your light shine!

Thank you for life, for the joy of giving health-wise, pleasure-wise and otherwise.

Thank you, lovely gracious lady.

Thank you for moments on cloud nine.

Frances , we are all in your fan club.

Thank for being a star performer in senior-size aerobics and in our lives,

for giving us a reason for looking forward to life, to looking forward to next week.

Thank you for hope and courage and kindness.

Thank you for being here again and again, for your good humor, your dignity.

Thank you for speaking the truth about the golden years,

for appreciating family-children, grands, greats, and great-greats,

for appreciating friends, church, the panoramic view.

Thank you for telling us, “keep busy, stay active, think happy.”

Thank you staying true to your mission—“Giving is living.”

Thank you for giving us love.

What is true for you can be true for all of us.

We all can live; we all can give.

Thank you for reminding us that we are right now surrounded by beauty—

the flowers, the people, this lovely room,

the light coming in through the side windows,

the talented fingers on the piano keys,

the charming presence of one another,

the blend of music, voice, movement, and spiritual words.

Thank you for letting us know this is heaven right now.

The love we give and receive saves us.

Love is stronger than death.

Love is stronger.

Love is. Love, Love, Love. Amen.

All Are Saved from UU Church of Berkeley on Vimeo.

Copyright © 2010, Rev. Barbara Hamilton-Holway, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Posthumous credit to Frances Hannah, centenarian and member of UUCB