Robert Fawley’s Membership Moment

October 3, 2021

Good morning.

What is this thing we strive for called?

Membership.

Hello I’m Robert “Robby” Fawley. I’ve been a member for four years and attended for nearly 10. (To the shock of some people who thought been a member longer…)

I want to start and talk about the day I signed the book. Commitment is the best way to sum up that day. Bear with me … it’s not the typical speech of, “and so I was inspired by…or I knew immediately knew this was my home” kinda story.

The day I signed the membership book-to put my name in a big historical ledger, was the day my best friend got committed. Committed to his wife. I was a groomsman, not best man, so I had to make a little time for my commitment, but know this about me, I am one for purpose and symbolism. So, on this day my best friend decided to marry his love and I pledged to a church or also said, we dedicated ourselves to causes that we felt would challenge us and encourage us to grow. All on the day known as Cincinnati Day.  Because on that day the area code matched the day 5-1-3 (May 13th).

A short story of me and church. I first came to St. John’s because I woke up early on a Sunday bored. (Now I had been twice to a UU church in Dayton, Ohio, where I’m from.) I had nothing to lose but time and that I was wanting to lose anyway. I don’t remember the service but I remember the people welcoming me and smiles and laughter with sprinklings of engaging conversations. I was treated as an equal from the beginning. So, I kept coming, each time learning more about others and SJUU.

In my past I never thought of joining because it frightened me. It was because of a childhood memory, going to Catholic mass with my father and watching him usher and collect the offerings. I couldn’t have that pressure, I couldn’t follow my father in those steps of life. I could never join any church for fear of meeting that kind pressure and responsibility. 

Still every once in a while I’d think about joining while attending church socials, concerts, or even fun programs besides attending services off and on.

I finally decided to commit myself because we all as members hold a hope for so many but also many more carry that same mission of hope throughout their generous deeds and/or their perpetuation of hope in daily life, to equality for all peoples as well. Because we at SJUU strive to make our place, be it our social or work area, city, state, nation…better than we found out to start with. Because we give respect to those who seem to like the world with its many creatures on it. For we strive to aid in the healing of oneself, by exploring different views and still explore our own. By seeing the connection that we all hold seen/unseen through our hearts and hands.

I am a member because all of you, visitors and members alike-we all want a place to call our sanctuary. A place where safety is for everyone and voices are lifted.

Thank you.