Peace and Mercy upon you, upon us all,
It is May and I know I find myself looking at the news of happy things like graduations and celebrations, while trying to not look at the news of all of the divisive things–like a kid peeking through his fingers at a scary movie. And the headlines get me–the local scandals; the reports on inflation, price gouging, and late stage capitalism; the political scene in our state and nation, and the hate legislation that keeps coming, denying people rights.
It behooves us to not lose hope. Experience in grief tells me, and many of us–we are stronger than we want to be. We can endure this and overcome this.
Sometimes it takes intentional thinking to cultivate the belief that challenges and changes present are gift-opportunities for learning and development for ourselves and our neighbors. Recognize that we, each of us, have the capacity to adapt and grow in response to change. Here are a few things that might help.
Practice Mindfulness: Stay present in the moment and observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Mindfulness can help you develop greater self-awareness and acceptance of change as it occurs.
Seek New Experiences: Step outside of your comfort zone and actively seek out new experiences. Whether it’s trying a new hobby, exploring a different culture, or learning a new skill, exposing yourself to unfamiliar situations can help you become more adaptable.
Focus on What You Can Control: Understand that while you may not always be able to control external circumstances, you can control how you respond to them. Instead of dwelling on things beyond your control, focus on taking positive actions that can influence the outcome. Sometimes that’s reminding yourself to empathize, and to love.
Build a Support System: Surround yourself with supportive friends, family members, or colleagues, and church members who can provide encouragement and perspective during times of change. Talking and sharing your experiences with others can help alleviate feelings of isolation and uncertainty.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be kind and compassionate toward yourself as you navigate through change. Treat yourself with the same understanding and empathy that you would offer to a friend facing similar challenges. You are someone you love.
I hope you all can get out and experience nature, the May sunshine helps to lift my worries too. Barbeques, graduation parties, and celebrations are great ways to connect with others. The river water is great for wading. I hope you all have a great May full of hope and connection.
Peace,
Rev. Will
I’ll have some periods of limited availability for pastoral care. Here are the dates:
• UUA General Assembly / Ministry Days [professional ministry responsibility]: June 19th – 23th
• Vacation: June 30th – July 6th
• Central East Region’s Summer Institute [professional ministry responsibility], California, PA: July 7th – 13th
• Study Leave — Grant Funded Entrepreneurship Ministry Conference 2024, Dublin Ireland: July 11th – 18th
• Adult Our Whole Lives (OWL) Training [professional ministry responsibility], Durham NC: August 9th – 11th
During these times, I may have limited capacity to respond to pastoral care needs. However, my hope is to bring back some innovative ideas regarding Entrepreneurship Ministry and the Our Whole Lives curriculum for Adult RE concerning Lifespan Sexuality Education.
UUA Article 2 Commission
You might recognize the above flower of UU values, centered on LOVE. We’ve had conversations a little more than a year ago regarding the ways our faith statements evolved into principles, and how our principles have changed form 1961, to 1985, to 1992 and into today. Our UUA general assembly voted to propose changes to our principles and sources, and the proposed changes are a shift toward our values represented in this flower.
All Souls is looking for a member to be a delegate at this year’s General Assembly. A vote on Article 2 will occur at this year’s GA. Our voice matters and we would love for you to participate. For more information, visit
https://www.uua.org/ga or talk with Jen Gibson. Jen was a former delegate in 2020 and can share her experience with you.