Not Afraid to Shine

Not Afraid to Shine

It’s the middle of summer—we are in this time when the sun rises early and sets late, when weeds are flourishing and ripe tomatoes aren’t that far away; these days when we are surrounded by light and warmth—ample amounts of it! I hope you’re getting some time to enjoy this season—it’s invitation to slow down and be present to its gifts. Which you know is going to go by faster than we think. At the same time, I’m mindful that, for many of us, these are trying times, when our nation seems to have lost its way and is doing harm than good: oppressing people rather than advancing the cause of freedom and justice, dividing people because of race or ethnicity or immigration status. It would be easy, these days, to focus only on what’s broken, to be anxious about the state of our world, to fall into despair. 

But our world needs all the help it can get these days; it needs what you and I have to offer: our hope and faith, our energy and daring. With so much bad news, it can be easy to feel discouraged. I need ways to have my faith in humanity renewed, I need reason for hope, and I expect you do too. And recently that faith and hope has come from a surprising place: the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team.

Mary Oliver, American Primitive

Mary Oliver, American Primitive

      “Wild Geese" is Mary's assurance that our way home is the path we choose to travel in love.  Don't hide your pain Mary says, “Tell me about despair, yours, and I will tell you mine; Meanwhile, the world goes on,” doesn’t it though?  And so we are invited to tell our tales, admitting that we have indeed been traumatized by life.  

     Despair is an intense word, friends, not for casual use.  It snagged my attention like one of Rev. Frank's well-placed casts, yet Mary seems almost nonchalant dispensing it.  

     Instead, she redirects us to the geese, beautiful, wild creatures soaring freely beyond the constraints of human lives, “harsh and exciting” in their vocalizing; “heading home again”.  Home, likewise a hefty word, perhaps defining living arrangement or place origin, but suggestive of more; family grouping, community; the word that names refuge:  physically and philosophically.  This is intentional - to contrast despair with belonging – the geese her lead players, because they can transport themselves whenever the need arises to go where sanctuary beckons.  Mary's telling us, use your imagination, transcend your pain, listen, the geese are announcing something vital, "you have a place in the family of things."   

At Home, Together

At Home, Together

Last Sunday we heard from our Coming of Age youth, and I’m glad so many of you were here to receive that blessing, of their words and presence. If I had one wish for our young people, it would be this: that they feel at home: in themselves, in their families, in this church, and in the world. Isn't this what we are all seeking? The way home?

A couple of weeks ago, Josh Goulet preached a wonderful sermon and something he said has stayed with me, about our third UU principle; which affirms “acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth.” Josh noticed that acceptance of one another comes first; that it’s only after you feel some level of belonging, that you are ready to stretch and grow spiritually. In other words, once you feel at home, once you feel safe and secure enough, then you can go deeper and reach out and take risks and help others.

This Place of Miracle and Wonder

This Place of Miracle and Wonder

“The letter fails, the systems fall, and every symbol wanes;
the Spirit overseeing all, Eternal Love, remains.”
(words by John Greenleaf Whitter, from the hymn “Immortal Love”)

What is the church, if not a community that reminds us and helps us to put Love at the center? We are here to hold open a space where people can gather, where you can ome expecting  that there is big Love to be found. Where you can come, hoping, “There’s a place for me here,” and not be disappointed. It’s what Starhawk says we are looking for and longing for: “Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power.” 

River of Grace

River of Grace

“’Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis a gift to be free, ’tis a gift to come down where you ought to be.” I love that hymn from the Shakers. Several weeks ago my study group, a dozen UU ministers who gather twice a year, traveled to Canterbury Shaker Village in New Hampshire so we could experience directly what they had created there. The Shakers are all gone now, but their spirit still pervades that place, in their buildings, and the furniture they made, and the land they farmed. 

In their work and in their worship, the Shakers knew how to put themselves in the way of grace. Our trip to Canterbury reminded me of what a sacred place looks like and feels like. How I feel better in such a place; it’s like being in church. It certainly has something to do with beauty, and with the care people have taken in a place over the years, and with an attentiveness to the Spirit. And it can happen anywhere.

A Humanist's Hunt for Grace

A Humanist's Hunt for Grace

Thank you for coming along with me on my Humanist’s Hunt for Grace.  Why you might ask would anyone need to hunt for Grace when the word itself is so easy to find?   Grace under pressure -  Grace notes in music - disgrace.  I’ve known several Graces in my life, a childhood playmate, the mom of a valued colleague, Graciella, Grace in Italian and Grace, our friend here at church. I heard Grace as a theme in one of President Bush’s eulogies. We’ve had a month at church with Grace as a theme.  Maybe you even hear it daily at your Grace before meals.  I could go.  But in spite of Grace’s ubiquitous nature, finding its meaning has been my own spiritual “earworm”, for the past several years. I felt a need to understand it and the ways it has shown up in my life. I’m honored to share my search with you.

WELCOMing. Caring. Faith. Community.

Universalist Unitarian Church of Haverhill
15 Kenoza Avenue, Haverhill, MA • 978-372-5173 • office@uuhaverhill.org
Mailing & office address: 16 Ashland Street, Haverhill, MA 01830

The land now called Haverhill sits on the original homelands of the Pennacook and Pentucket Nations, Algonquian-speaking peoples of the Wabanaki Confederacy.