Cheryll Wallace

Religious Education Director

Cheryll has been the Director of Religious Education at First Unitarian Church of Omaha since November 1995. She has earned Bachelor's degrees in Fine Arts and Elementary Education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. In addition to her work in religious education locally, Cheryll is in her second term on the Prairie Star District's (PSD) Board of Directors. She has been recognized by the PSD and the UUA for completing five Renaissance Modules (75 hours of continuing education in religious education) and was awarded with the Ellie Morton Award in April of 2007.

The Ellie Morton Award is given for significant contribution to lifespan faith development in the Prairie Star District. Believing that everything we do in church is religious education and that the main purpose of our being together is to allow each of us to share in the other's journey by sharing our stories, Cheryll encourages your participation, comments and ideas as we work together to practice what we preach. Contact Cheryll Wallace.

REflections

Now that I drive 40 minutes each way to work I have had the opportunity to listen to extended periods of music. Bluegrass and Country are my favorites, especially the old stuff. My father loaned me a 5 cd collection of music by The Carter Family when I was in the Black Hills a few years ago and I enjoy listening to it on my drives through the beautiful country between here and Beaver Lake. The Carter Family is often called the First Family of Country Music.

The simple words and harmonies of A.P. (Alvin Pleasant), Sara & Maybelle Carter never get old to me. Often I find a song that I just love and I play it over and over again, singing along to learn the words. It is music with twangy harmonies to be sure and I totally love it. Some don’t and make fun of its “hick” sound but I think it is important to remember that it is the roots of the sophisticated modern smooth country that is popular today. As Merle Haggard, another country legend, sings in an old song, “The roots of my raisin’ run deep.”

Well, the roots of our UU heritage run deep too and some of the “Champions of Unitarian Universalism” are Michael Servetus, Francis David & John Sigismund, William Ellery Channing, John Murray, Dorothea Dix, Maria Mitchell, and more. What do you know about these famous Unitarians or Universalists- the heretics of their age?

Do you know who was a famous astronomer?
Who brought Universalism to the United States?
Who wrote a famous sermon about Unitarian Christianity?
Who was the only king of a Unitarian kingdom in the history of the world?
Who said, “ We need not think alike to love alike?”
Who helped the cause of the mentally ill?
Who was burned at the stake for being an anti-Trinitarian?

We come from a long line of courageus champions of liberal religion who took their brand of religious thinking and combined it with what was going on in their world to create a continuing song that is ours to adapt for our times and sing into the future. Learn more about your heritage and sing out loud!! The world is listening.

Peace Be With You,

Cheryll

Updated Sept 27, 2009