Mark Your Calendars
(events are located at the church, unless listed otherwise)
Choir practice--Every Wed @ 6:45pm & Sun @ 9:45am
Grief support group--Every Wed @ 5:15pm
Insight Night Films "Rivers and Tides"--Thurs, March 11 @ 6:45pm
Dances of Universal Peace--Sat, Mar 13 @ 6pm
Worship Committee meeting--Mon, Mar 15 @ 6pm
UUCC Equinox Sleepover--Fri, Mar 19 @ 7pm
CIHN rotation--Sun, Mar 21 - Sun, Mar 28
Dinner at the COMEA Shelter--Sat, Mar 20 @ 5:30pm
Mindful Monday Meditation--Mon, Apr 5 @ 6pm
Canvass Kick Off--Sun, Apr 11
"Green" Art Festival--Sat, Apr 17 @ 10am-4pm
Spring Into Art Festival--Fri, Apr 30 and Sat-Sun, May 1-2
From Our Minister
Life's Big Questions
The other day as I was driving in my car, the radio began to play the sound of a familiar sweet twinkling harpsichord into my space. Soon, Judy Collins and I were singing an old favorite, "Both Sides Now". A simple song, really; here's a part: "I've looked at life from both sides now, From up and down, And still somehow, It's life's illusions I recall. I really don't know life, at all." This seems so simple and so profound. We think we know life; we think it will continue just as it is; and we are caught up in the stories of our lives, day by day. We experience the flow of ordinary, mundane, profane, and sacred moments without questioning much about it; it's normal. But life for the church hasn't happened the way it was expected, and now many people are shaken, grieving, disappointed, even frustrated. The illusions of normalcy have been shattered, and we find ourselves reconsidering and re-evaluating life from a different perspective. The big timeless questions about life that we don't usually consider suddenly really matter. These questions might be, "What happens when we die? Is there something beyond what I experience through my daily life and my five senses? Why am I here? Do I, or do I not believe in God? If so, which God, or what Gods, or Goddesses? How do I prepare to die? How will I manage when my loved ones die?" Or we might simply feel, "I am hurting and I want to feel comforted." Or, other questions might be specifically about the church, "Where do we go from here? How can we survive? Who are we, and what is our purpose?" I sense that people are tired of change and upheaval, yet long for a sense of direction and mission. I see and hear weariness on many faces and in many voices even as we begin to re-create a new "normal." Now is the time to listen and honor those difficult feelings and questions. By sharing with each other, we begin to heal together. The painful shattering of illusions can also be an opportunity that leads us to see new truths and new directions. It is my hope and prayer that we are guided in that direction. Soon we will be offering group grief counseling; an adult religious education class to process life's big questions (theology); and opportunities to learn about end-of-life care and planning. I invite you to give yourself the gift of participating with your community during this important time of healing. This can be a beautiful beginning. Soon we will begin designing a new plan for the future of this church. My prayer is that we will take time to process, mend, and heal all the hurt that is in our many hearts, so we are ready to move into the future with clarity, strength, and a new vitality to serve our common mission. So call me, write to me, or stop by and see me. Please let me know your needs so we can accommodate each person the best way possible. I want to hear from you, and I want to spend time with you, and I am not too busy! Now is the time we serve each other by coming together for healing before we step into the next journey.
With Love, Rev. Dana Lightsey
Thank You
Please accept my most sincere, heartfelt thanks for so graciously welcoming me into this church community. Your celebration of my ordination touched me deeply. Thank-you for the gifts of the pictures and the amazing silver chalice necklace. It is a great privilege to serve this congregation. I am so very happy I have started my ministry with you! Thank you again for sharing your love. I hope it returns 100 fold!
Rev. Dana Lightsey
