This summer our OUUC theme has invited us to “Slow Down” and we’ve been reflecting on practices of renewal and shared ministry in the first half of Rev Mary’s sabbatical. Slowing down, resting, and finding practices and sources of renewal is a very important practice.
Now we come to the launch of the congregational program year, and there will be much more activity, many new programs, and many opportunities for engagement within the congregation and in the wider community. It might seem like that is the end of slowing down!
But what if that wasn’t the only way to engage? What if we can both engage fully and deeply and not rush or push ourselves beyond our healthy pace? Often, slower is actually more effective and efficient anyway, as the saying “haste makes waste” points out.
Cooking has been my teacher on this front. I used to cook in a rush, underestimating how much time it would take and waiting until I was hungry and in a hurry. And I had a terrible habit of cutting the tips of my fingers almost off or otherwise doing damage to myself in my rush. But I’ve found my rhythm in the kitchen now, and I both give myself more time and plan further ahead so I can move with care and efficiency and safety. It’s been several years now since I last cut myself in the kitchen.
I think this lesson applies outside the kitchen too. Planning ahead, giving adequate time, taking care with what we do, allows us to move through our practices and toward our goals without haste or waste.
And so this is my invitation to you (as we move into our September theme of the Practice of Invitation):
Take some time to look over the programs and events that will begin at OUUC this month and to reflect on your own goals for yourself and for the congregation. What would you like to engage with that can move you and the congregation toward those goals? Make your plan. Then leave a little room for the unexpected. Save some time and energy for responding to emergent needs, like helping with Caring Friends when a member is in need, or like showing up for a rally or a march in the wider community. Decide on your time frame, and the pace that will be sustainable.
I invite you to consider these as you make your plan:
There are teams that need more energy and more members, and it’s a great way to find others who care about the same things you do: Buildings and Grounds, Member Engagement Team, Book Sale Team, Economic Justice Team, and Anti-Racism/Anti-Oppression Team are all looking for more members right now.
Our Soul Matters small groups are starting up and this is the time to join. These groups meet once a month for the whole program year and offer an opportunity for deep engagement with the themes of the month and with a small group of people.
If you love books we have two book groups (the OUUC book group led by Frances Tanaka that reads fiction and the Social Justice Book Group reading justice books) and the Books, Beans, and Brownies sale is coming up at the end of October and needs many hands to make it a success.
Thursday evenings will return and be a great hub for community and learning for all ages. We gather for dinner at 5:30 and following dinner there will be children’s classes and adult programs as there were last year, and we are moving the youth group for middle and high school youth to Thursday evenings as well this year.
And there’s so much more! Choir, adult faith development classes, forums after worship on Sundays, UU the Vote, Sunday volunteering, monthly birthday celebrations, and more!
I invite you to pick your ways to engage, and get registered for your classes and groups. Let’s move into the new church year at a steady and sustainable pace, together.
