—by Ted Schmitt

I became a member of All Souls, following some months after my wife Barbara, who has always been a step or two ahead of me. I was raised in Queens by German Catholic immigrants, the second oldest of seven children. My schooling was Catholic, from grammar school through my Bachelor’s degree, then seminary and the priesthood.

For much of our married life, Barbara and I were turned off by religion. Our church became the ice skating rink where we ice-danced almost every Sunday morning. It was fun—we had a community of friends. We even had a coffee hour.

But there was this barely audible voice, deep inside, that said, “You are missing something. Look for it.” I pretended not to hear it. Then, Barbara was invited by Trudy Meehan to conduct a series of workshops on career issues here at All Souls. She attended a service and invited me the following week. I went—some month later—and the voice became loud. I could no longer ignore it.

When I left the priesthood and the Catholic Church in 1968, I surrendered community. Here, we have rediscovered community. This is my community. You are my family. I have been asked by several people to share with you a particular aspect of my Sunday Morning experience. And this is why I have asked to open a service—a privilege indeed.

I like to arrive early so I can have a few moments to sit quietly during the prelude—to contemplate the string sculpture here in the chancel. On High School Sunday, when the congregation was asked if the string sculpture represents a Christian cross, many stood in agreement.

For me, the sculpture depicts the flow of energy—from the Universe, from God, from a Higher Power—whatever word fits. Those four golden rays, converging in the center—that central point is me… us… receiving this energy, and then, subsequently reflecting this energy outward to the world.

The sculpture also reminds me of a spider web. All of the threads are connected, directly or indirectly, to the golden rays. Touch one silk strand and the entire structure reverberates. This is a reminder that my actions influence others. And isn’t that what Unitarian Universalism teaches—deeds, not creeds?

What makes this work for me is the total experience: greeting and being greeted; listening to the extraordinary music and the inspiring words from the pulpit; singing and praying with the congregation; participating in other programs and activities.

On most Sundays, I feel somewhat drained from the activities of the week. As I sit quietly, looking at the sculpture, I feel for the flow coming towards me. By the end of the service, there is more balance and I’m more aware of a flow from me.

On the back of the order of service booklet we receive every week is an enumeration of our UU Covenants. We affirm and promote, among other things, “respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part.” This string sculpture is, for me, a visual reminder of that.