The story that I offered earlier in this service is a true one. I have heard it told many times. One of the illuminating details of that story was the young William's observation that not only was his father undisturbed by the Sunday message of hellfire and brimstone, he actually whistled a cheerful tune all the way home. William Ellery Channing, the founder of Unitarianism in America, was born in Newport. The Channing family attended the Meeting House on Mill Street where Dr. Hopkins served as the preacher. Father and son walked home to nearby School Street, which houses Child and Family Services today. As the story suggested, the preacher offered a bleak Calvinistic doctrine in which most people were to suffer eternal damnation and only a few would be saved. Channing's Unitarian theology was deeply influenced by Dr. Hopkins in that his beliefs and worldview developed in sharp contrast to the predominant religious perspective of his times.

As a lifelong Unitarian Universalist, I am deeply grateful to be serving a congregation dedicated to the memory of William Ellery Channing. I have been reading with interest the history of this fellowship, which holds significant ties to our religious movement. Today, as we welcome and recognize new members into this community of faith, it is important to lift up some of our unique history. By choosing to join this church, you have become a part of an important religious heritage. Even without a rational knowledge of the past there is an institutional memory- something in the wallboards that causes history to repeat itself; certain values, ideals and events that inform who we are as a congregation and link us to those who came before. I believe that in order for us to move forward as a congregation and to contribute in meaningful ways in our community, it is important for us to know our story and to claim our identity as religious liberals.

Our history as a congregation stretches back even farther than the construction of this building. As you know, Newport has long been a place of religious freedom, an environment where the right of people to worship and express their beliefs was valued and upheld. The Rev. Charles T. Brooks in a discourse about the Newport Unitarian Church set down the following in 1875: "in a region which had always been historically, as it was locally, open to so many liberalizing influences, --where the very air and sea and sky would seem to invite almost irresistibly to free thought, it might well have been expected that liberal views of Christianity would at an early period, have found a local habitation and name." ¹:

I will be offering a service later in the year focusing on William Ellery Channing's contribution to our movement. For now, it is important to recognize that he was deeply influenced by his childhood here in Newport. He studied at Harvard and had an influential ministry at the Federal Street Church in Boston. Channing's examination of the Bible, called into question the doctrine of the Trinity and so he preached about the Fatherhood of God, the Brotherhood of Man and the Leadership of Jesus. This life-affirming theology, which also lifted up religion as the arena of self-improvement, was a breath of fresh air as compared to the dour views of Calvinism.

This congregation came into being in 1835. A time when there were many new churches being started. Charles Briggs, the secretary of the American Unitarian Association in Boston, came to Newport in October of 1835, as the history reads, "to explore the field and see if the soil was ready for the planting of Unitarianism". He began with a gathering of nine women in a home. Then he preached a series of six sermons at the State House at ten-thirty in the morning and then at early candlelight. At first only thirty were in attendance but word spread about this new doctrine until there were over 100 people crowding the Representatives' chambers. People were drawn to "the free and liberal faith of a Gospel of the living and loving God- the large and generous Gospel of free grace." This new doctrine was in direct contrast to the conservative doctrines of a stern God casting judgment on the depravity and sinfulness of humankind.

Only six days after Charles Briggs came to Newport, there was a move to organize a Unitarian society. A group gathered in the home of William Ellery, the uncle of William Ellery Channing and son of the signer of the Declaration of Independence. His home was on the corner of Clarke Street and Washington Square. That Saturday evening of October 24, 1835 the group decided to seek pew subscriptions, to make arrangements for music, and to look into renting the old Hopkins Meeting House on Mill Street. The discourse rightly points out that it was noteworthy that music was provided for before any preaching. This is in keeping with the essential role music continues to play in the life of this church.

For those of you unfamiliar with pew subscription, it was a common practice at that time to rent pews. Our present pews bear numbers from that same practice. Families and individuals would buy the privilege of attending and would sit in their very own pew each Sunday as a way of supporting the church and securing a place as a member. The sale of subscriptions was so successful that not only were they able to rent the Meeting House but could purchase the building outright. It is remarkable that only three weeks after Charles Briggs came to Newport, a large Unitarian society gathered for worship in their very own building.

As you know, the building where the congregation gathered had been used for worship previously. The building still stands today although it has been subdivided into the Mill St. Condominiums. You can see it as you come up Mill Street, a white building with wide stairs rising up to three arched doorways. The style of that Meeting House was very different from the one we worship in today. It is described as humble and of Shaker style. The pews were set up in rows facing one another. There was a gallery way up, almost to the ceiling and an "uncomfortably high" pulpit.

Charles T. Brooks was called as the first pastor of the Unitarian Congregational Church. There is a memorial tablet bearing his profile as you enter this sanctuary. Brooks was right out of divinity school and served for 37 years. He is described as a scholar, poet, gentle presence and gracious pastor; well respected by the local community despite his controversial liberal theological perspective. William Ellery Channing offered the charge at Brooks' ordination as he occasionally would preach in his hometown of Newport.

Beginning in 1878, the Rev. M. K. Schermerhorn served as the minister of this congregation for four years. During that short period of time, he inspired the congregation and the entire Unitarian Association to build a monument to honor Channing in his birthplace. This church was built by international subscription. Unitarians from across the country and in England sent contributions in support of the vision of a monument dedicated to the memory and vision of William Ellery Channing. The cornerstone bearing the words "Faith, Hope, Charity" was laid in 1880, the centennial of Channing's birth. The dates carved into the front of the church 1780-1880, pay tribute to this anniversary; 1780 being the date of Channing's birth in Newport. It is significant that this memorial bearing his name is not a cold edifice but houses a thriving Unitarian Universalist congregation.

Now that you know or have revisited some of the history, take a look around at this space. Consider the outpouring of support that arrived here from near and far. The construction of this building was indeed an act of faith, hope and charity. An article by James Yarnall states: "In addition to $50,000 raised in pledges from Unitarian congregations through out New England and Europe, the project was abetted by contribution of granite from Lyme, Connecticut, the donation of the architect's design and supervision by a firm in Worcester, Massachusetts, and the services of local woodworkers and stonemasons offered at minimal cost. In like manner, all stained glass Memorial windows were donated, the majority by private individuals in memory of deceased relatives. The estimated cost of the entire project, which was completed roughly three years after its inception, was $150,000." ²

So, the congregation which had met in a humble Meeting house on Mill Street built a church of modern English Gothic style with a much larger seating capacity and a much grander design. Sometimes when I give tours, people will ask me what denomination this was previously. They are surprised that this was built as a Unitarian church given its majestic scale and traditional elements like the transept, which creates the shape of a cross. The building stands as an expression of our liberal Christian tradition. I also like to point out to visitors that all of the images depicted in the stained glass windows are very life affirming. To be sure many of the figures have halos but they are not in pain or engaged in any acts of conquest like some ecclesiastical art.

Our history as a congregation is remarkable. William Ellery Channing, the father of Unitarianism studied in the nearby Redwood Library, and walked the shores of First Beach both of which nurtured his theological development. The fact that a society was formed and worshipped in its own building in only three weeks time after the idea was introduced, shows that the ground was indeed fertile for Unitarianism. This very building stands as testimony to the vision and connection to our wider movement having been built through the generosity and dedication of religious liberals near and far.

To be a Unitarian Universalist is an invitation into greater depth. Central is the belief in the inherent worth and dignity of every person. We do not believe that as sinners we will suffer eternal damnation nor do we derive any satisfaction from the vision of watching others burn. This means that even if you are in the midst of despair and doubt about your own worth, there is a community of people who affirm your dignity. The principle also serves as a challenge for each individual to move past our own prejudices to truly appreciate our common humanity.

We are a liberal religious tradition with no common assent to creed. There is no doctrinal test for membership. We do not ask our children or our adult members to memorize certain statements of faith. To become a member, an individual signs the Membership Book when he or she feels they have discovered a religious home. Even those of us who were raised Unitarian Universalists, needed to make a conscious decision about membership once we reached adulthood. Those children who are in our religious education class today learn about many traditions. They are taught in the tradition of the Radical Reformation that religion is a choice based upon individual discernment.

Like a wedding vow, becoming a member is a public expression of a deepening sense of commitment. This promise is made on many levels:

To yourself- as a pledge to enrich your own life through continued personal growth
To the church- to contribute your talents, resources, and experiences to enrich this fellowship
To the movement- to strengthen the liberal religious voice in the local and global community

As was stated in the New Member Affirmation, an individual finds him or herself in sympathy with the Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association and the purposes of this particular church. To join this congregation is an invitation to bring all of who you are: your unique history, hopes, struggles, and values, into a community of seekers. As a religious body, we support one another in times of challenge, and celebrate with one another in times of joy. Ideally, the connections made here in worship, fellowship, education, social action, and even committee work will also help to deepen the sense of belonging in all other aspects of life. Together we make real the vision of Channing and all those who who came after him to be a liberal religious community in Newport dedicated to Free Inquiry and the Love of Truth offering a message of hope.