A Faith of Inclusion

As we listened to our leaders describe a war of choice as a "holy war", we witnessed a version of Christianity known as "Christian Nationalism", where anyone who disagrees is considered an enemy and a traitor. What is it that separates us, with our own Christian heritage, from the rage-filled rhetoric of this extremist ideology? Historically, Unitarian Universalists have upheld values of radical welcome and love for all of our neighbors, working to end the oppression of immigrants, the poor, and the disenfranchised; values we believed were enshrined in our constitution 250 years ago. As a "faith of inclusion", how do we reach toward others of faith, whose values seem very different from our own? Rev. Lisa Perry-Wood is preaching.

Biography

Rev. Lisa Perry-Wood has had many professional careers over the years, working as a public librarian, a mental health administrator, charter school founder and principal, and in several nonprofit leadership roles. After attending seminary at Andover Newton, Lisa served several congregations: as ministerial intern at FRS in Carlisle, summer minister in Lexington and Winchester, parish minister in Bedford, settled senior minister at First Parish in Brookline, and, most recently, Interim Minister at First Parish in Wayland. She also spent two years working as a hospice chaplain.

Rev. Lisa is a certified yoga teacher, with a certificate in Ayurvedic medicine. She identifies as a Buddhist-Mystic, practicing meditation and mindfulness, both on and off the cushion. She also loves walks in nature, swimming in the ocean or at Walden Pond, and playing with her grandchildren.