If you go to the home page for the Unitarian-Universalist Association, you can find the UU "Seven Principles," the closest thing we have to dogma. Granted, we have no dogma, but we all pretty much agree on the Seven Principles or we wouldn't be Unitarians. However, when you read them, they definitely read like they were written by a committee. Of Unitarians.
To call him a colleague would be presumptuous, because it implies that I'm, well, in his league. But Dr. James Haines of Elizabethtown College, professor of music and music therapy, IS a good, good friend. He is also a talented composer. For some insane reason that I will never quite understand, he thinks I have a way with words. He and I have been collaborating on adding to the relatively small stock of hymns by Unitarians.
I wrote this poem with the idea of it being the lyrics for a hymn for family choir or young voices. Jim has written a stunning melody for it. Maybe someday you will hear it at your local Unitarian church.
To call him a colleague would be presumptuous, because it implies that I'm, well, in his league. But Dr. James Haines of Elizabethtown College, professor of music and music therapy, IS a good, good friend. He is also a talented composer. For some insane reason that I will never quite understand, he thinks I have a way with words. He and I have been collaborating on adding to the relatively small stock of hymns by Unitarians.
I wrote this poem with the idea of it being the lyrics for a hymn for family choir or young voices. Jim has written a stunning melody for it. Maybe someday you will hear it at your local Unitarian church.
Seven Principles, Simple Language © 2011 by Tom Hayes
These are the Seven Principles
Which all of us hold dear.
They can be said quite simply
For everyone to hear --
Every single person is important.
(Every single person is important.)
Treat others with kindness, as you would yourself be treated.
(Treat others with kindness, as you would yourself be treated.)
Be free to learn together and to learn from one another.
(Be free to learn together and to learn from one another.)
Always search for truth.
(Always search for truth.)
Every voice deserves to be heard.
(Every voice deserves to be heard.)
Work for a world that values fairness and peace.
(Work for a world that values fairness and peace.)
Take care of our Mother Earth.
(Take care of our Mother Earth.)
There are just Seven Principles
Which all of us hold dear.
They can be said quite simply
So everyone can hear.
And speaking of our church, one of our young people is currently missing in Japan. She e-mailed us shortly after the quake earlier this month, but has not been heard from since the tsunamis hit. We hope and pray that you're OK, Clare, and that you come home safe to us soon. My poem is dedicated to you.
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