While we sometimes find ourselves complaining about the status quo and the predictability of routine and business as usual (in spite of all of its shortcomings) it does provide a normative and stable structure for us to go about our daily lives; we know what time the buses are going to run, we have our regular work schedule, we can stop at the deli on our way to the museum. But when the unexpected happens, all of the norms and the assumptions we usually make are suddenly “up in the air” and they may or may not hold true anymore. This disruption can be an unsettling and disorienting experience especially when you don’t really know how long it may last or how things may be different from before, after it’s all over. We have been living this experience for fifteen months now as Covid-19 and the pandemic has up-ended life as we have previously known it. Today’s talk is on “the unexpected.” How does it affect us and how do we handle the unsolicited changes?
Have a great week-end everyone and I hope you can join us for the UUHoulton weekly service.
The recorded service will be available to view at 10AM on Sunday morning and archived so it can be watched later at your convenience. I will send out the service link to YouTube later today and the link will be live on Sunday morning at 9:45AM (in case you want to come to the service early). If you subscribe to our YouTube channel you can locate it automatically on your YouTube home page under subscriptions. The 10AM service will be followed by a Zoom coffee hour and check-in at 11AM for those who are interested in discussing the service or just want to check in. I’ll send the Zoom links out later today.
Practice patience and kindness.
In Ministry,
Dave
Virtual Offering Plate
If you would like to send in your pledge or donation (we still have to pay the bills) simply drop an envelope in the mail. The address is listed below. Thank you for your support!
UU Church of Houlton61 Military StreetHoulton, ME 04730
Message from the UUA President
| This is a promising, yet challenging time. Congregational consultant Susan Beaumont describes it as a “liminal time” – where we begin to imagine beyond the pandemic but are not there yet. She writes, “You cannot resolve liminality by planning your way through it. You must learn your way through it. Guide your congregation through cycles of observation, experimentation, adjustment, and iteration.” This liminal time clamors for creativity and innovation. Yet many of us arrive exhausted, grieving, and traumatized, with the well of creativity nearly dry. Perhaps embracing simplicity could guide us to the creativity and nurturing we most need. Recently, I met a friend who I hadn’t seen since October. We’d taken walks together throughout the pandemic, being careful to practice social distancing. Now we’re both fully vaccinated. Still, we paused to ask and consider whether we could hug. We decided we felt comfortable and wow, did that hug feel good! This made me realize two things. First, the importance of going slow and savoring the small things that are again possible. Second, we may all need to “relearn” and practice consent even for the simplest gestures of sharing community. |
| For many congregations, worship is the most complicated to make safe, inclusive and multi-platform. In that case, start with something simpler. |
| This is where Susan Beaumont’s recommendation to focus on learning, experimenting, observing and adapting is most helpful. It invites us to start with simple changes or simple efforts so people can learn together. For many congregations, worship is the most complicated to make safe, inclusive and multi-platform. In that case, start with something simpler. Outdoor gatherings with masks and social distancing for families and small groups for adults and elders may be fun and sensible initial undertakings. Many of you are already experimenting. We’d love to hear what you are trying. Please share your efforts with your regional staff so we can learn from each other! Know that every congregation has different needs and realities. Take approaches that make sense for your people, staff and context. This is a time to support, not to judge. Let us learn from each other, mindful that circumstances vary greatly. Let us be flexible and compassionate as we go. Even as I write this, I am keenly aware that vaccine distribution has radically improved circumstances in North America and Europe. But the situation in other places is devastating, particularly in India. We hold our siblings in faith and partners in India in our prayers. May we not let privilege undermine our commitment to the well being of our neighbors around the world. As long as this remains a global pandemic, conditions can again change everywhere. We must remain dedicated to equitable vaccine distribution, and do everything we can to halt the spread of the virus in our own communities. Navigating this liminal time and the need for creativity in the midst of trauma and grief is grueling. It is easy to feel inadequate and to judge our efforts and each other harshly. (Believe me, I know!) May you find ways to savor simple joys and pleasures that feed your spirit. For you have and continue to give so much. I am grateful to each of you. Yours in love, Susan |
Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray spends her days strengthening the thriving mission of this faith. In her spare time, she enjoys being with her family and playing with their dog, Hercules. |
Four Meditations to Practice in the Wake of a Tragedy
Diana Winston teaches a step-by-step meditation to practice in times of tragedy.
Following a tragedy in the news, I often find myself focusing on the associated suffering during my meditation. I have several practices that address my terror and sadness. Here’s a run-down of my typical session, which can take any amount of time:
1. Loving-Kindness
I start with loving kindness and compassion—directing them towards the tragedy and whatever else moves me. After the Fukushima disaster, I found myself directing compassion towards the fish in the ocean near the reactor or the families of the victims of the tsunami. I trust my creativity and follow where my heart is drawn. I use dreadful images from the news to cultivate compassion. I bring to mind an image and sense its impact on me and then offer compassion as I breathe out: May you be free from suffering, may you be safe and protected. May you be healthy.
2. Gratitude
Sometimes that practice leads to gratitude. Spontaneous gratitude often arises for the first responders. These are truly heroic individuals. I might silently direct gratitude in their direction.
3. Checking In
As I do both of these practices, I then check in with my body and emotions as other feelings often arise—fear, worry about my family, grief. When these emotions come, I try to hold them in a space of mindfulness and compassion. I breathe. I notice what they feel like in my body. I let them be. Sometimes I direct the compassion to myself.
4. Intention-Directing
I then do a simple kind of intention-directing. Some might call it prayer. In the case of Fukushima, I would use my imagination (visual, sensing, or feeling), to visualize the plant radiation contained and the plant shut down. I would get a sense of the nearly 500 nuclear plants on the planet shut down—replaced with wind and solar and other alternatives. Sometimes I would imagine millions of people marching in the street calling for an end to the nuclear madness. I would see my daughter growing up healthy and whole without fear. Can these practices make a difference? Who knows? The research around the impact of prayer is spotty. What I do know is that it certainly impacts my own mind. And I also want to believe that if millions of us direct our minds to healing through inner work, in combination with action in the world, well, then maybe we stand a chance.
ABOUT DIANA WINSTON
Diana Winston is the Director of Mindfulness Education at the UCLA Mindful Awareness Research Center MARC . She is the author of The Little Book of Being, published by Sounds True, and the co-author of Fully Present: The Science, Art and Practice of Mindfulness. She is a member of the Teachers Council at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and is a founding board member of the International Mindfulness Teachers Association.
Joys & Concerns
When one of us is blessed we are all blessed.
When one of us experiences sorrow we all feel the pain.
The CDC has just issued new Covid-19 recommendations as well as The State of Maine. We are cautiously optimistic that these changes are a positive step forward.
The bombing in Israel and Gaza continues as well as civil unrest in Jewish neighborhoods. We pray for peace and resolution of injustice in this extended conflict.
Destroyed buildings in Beit Hanoun, Gaza, on Friday.Credit…Hosam Salem for The New York Times
Bloodroot is one of the earliest wildflowers that shows up alongside the river. Here is a photo I took earlier this week.
Dave
Sanguinaria canadensis, bloodroot, is a perennial, herbaceous flowering plant native to eastern North America.
Please continue to send in joys and concerns during the week to revdav@mfx.net and I will post them on the Support Page.
The joy or the sorrow of one is shared by all. May our hearts be as one on this day. Let us carry each thought or concern expressed in our heart and may the light of our love and compassion transform suffering into non suffering and ease the difficulties of life. We radiate love and the light that we are. Blessed are we all.
A more personalized Prayer List is published seperately per email
We Pray for those recovering from COVID-19 in the state of MaineLocal emergency personnel and hospital staff
For our state and national leaders as they respond to the current coronavirus crisisFor those working for social justice and societal change
Pray for peaceful action and democratic process in our nation
For Asian-American communities in our country
The Four Limitless Ones Prayer
May all sentient beings enjoy happiness and the root of happiness.
May we be free from suffering and the root of suffering.
May we not be separated from the great happiness devoid of suffering.
May we dwell in the great equanimity free from anger, aggression and exclusion.
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