The values and theology that we act out in the world are more powerful and impactful than the ones we profess but do not live up to. These times call for a Unitarian Universalism that can respond actively to suffering and oppression. Drawing on the wisdom of Filipino elders and UU thinker Rev. Dr. William R. Jones, we explore what it means to look honestly at the distance between who we are and who we are called to be.
Nico learned how to be Unitarian Universalist by volunteering in religious education classrooms as a teenager, exploring our theology alongside elementary kids. He served as a religious educator for twelve years, and turned towards ministry after a visit to the UU churches in the Philippines. Nico is committed to BIPOC-centered UU ministry and is excited about multigenerational community, storytelling, and the creative ways people around the world are living Unitarian Universalism out loud. Nico is deeply grounded in the Filipino and UU communities of the Twin Cities, regularly co-organizing or participating in community education and activism events. They find spiritual grounding in ancestor prayer and piano; he loves writing, puzzles, long nature walks, and his two old cuddly cats Max and Louie.