Our Relationship to the Earth

Today is daffodil blooming day at our house! Those bright yellow spring flowers are finally peeking out of their green casings. I am always interested in how micro-climates change in significant ways even by ten miles. The daffodils at church bloomed over a week ago. And this year our flowers are a couple weeks later than they were a few years ago—as evidenced by dated photo records on my laptop.

Thinking about the climate makes me think about climate change, and the activists who are working to change our relationship to the earth from that of “maximum extraction and destruction,” to that of “mutually beneficial partnership.”

This week in Washington DC, a group of ranchers and indigenous people from western states, called the “Cowboy Indian Alliance,” are bringing a message against the Keystone XL pipeline which would transport Tar Sands Oil from Canada down to Texas for processing. When I was a kid, we played battles as cowboys and Indians—though in our family we thought it was funny because my dad was sometimes a cowboy and my mom was part Indian—but now they are working together to protect the earth. Aside from the environmental hazards of a pipeline, the message is that we can't take that oil out of the sands if we want to preserve a climate that can support human life. You can find out more, and see photos of the teepees on the mall at http://rejectandprotect.org/

It was recently announced that President Obama is delaying his decision about KeystoneXL, probably until the fall, so that gives us more time to keep working against it. Some of us at A2U2 have signed on (with 100,000 others) to the Credo Pledge of Resistance. It says, "I pledge, if necessary, to join others in my community, and engage in acts of dignified, peaceful civil disobedience that could result in my arrest in order to send the message to President Obama and his administration that they must reject the Keystone XL pipeline."

I have participated in civil disobedience before in my life, though it was a long time ago. I was inspired by the groundswell of resistance to KeystoneXL, and the terrible importance of this work on behalf of the future of our planet and all its creatures. I am attending a training on the morning of May 3^rd (before coming down to Ferry Beach for our retreat days) to participate in the civil disobedience, should it be necessary. If you are interested, email me at revmyke at a2u2.org if you'd like more information.

In the meantime, work is continuing at A2U2 on our own relationship to our land and its structures. Tonight is the final meeting of the group of 20 or so members of A2U2 who have been part of the Permaculture Design Short Course with Lisa Fernandes. Mini-groups have been doing research about various areas that were identified as priorities in the congregational survey a few months ago. Issues like how to fix the parking lot, improve our air quality, and improve the bathrooms, along with hopes about how to use more renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, and how to create earth friendly habitat in our landscaping. I am sure that work will continue, and you'll hear more about it as we come up with some viable ideas. But you don't have to wait—if you want to get more involved, you are always welcome. Contact me, or even better, contact Harold McWilliams, at haroldmcwilliams at gmail.com, who has been doing a great job of coordinating our efforts. A great big thank you to Harold!

Happy Spring,

Rev. Myke

Spring is Coming!

Hard to believe that spring is coming on such a cold day as I am writing, but I know it is. In four weeks, we will be surrounded by green. April is a lovely month, and I look forward to the unfolding of life all around us that it brings. Meanwhile, here at A2U2, many good things have been happening and are moving forward.

About twenty of us have participated in a Permaculture Design Course led by Lisa Fernandes during February and March. We explored the principles of permaculture, and began to think about how we might apply them to the needs of our buildings and our land and our people. The group worked with some of the priorities that were expressed in the Permaculture Survey that took place in January and February (remember that?) Just like the wintry season in Maine, much of the work has been hidden “underground” but soon you'll be hearing more about it.

Another “underground” activity is that the Committee on Ministry has been reading through all the notes taken during the small group meetings for the Review of the Ministry of the church that took place in January. The Committee is now at work converting that huge amount of information into some common themes and they hope to send you a report about it this Spring. Stay tuned.

Our church Auction has also been going on “underground”—(or rather online)--at Bidding for Good. You can still participate in bidding on items there until March 30^th. Check it out. The full-fledged--appetizers/dinner/and a great time to be had by all--A2U2 Spring Fever Auction is coming up on Saturday April 5^th from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. There will also be activities, popcorn and pizza for children, so it will be a fun night out for the whole family. There is a cover charge of $10 per adult, but if you are not able to afford that cost, please let me know, and it can be waived. We want everyone to be able to attend.

I am looking forward once again to teaching my Spirituality class—Spirituality for Searchers, Skeptics, Activists, Mystics, and All Broken-Hearted Lovers of Earth. I so much enjoy this chance to go deeper with a group of people into our diverse spiritual journeys—talking and listening about how we define spirituality, how we connect with the earth, and each other, how we wrestle with the mystery of existence and the idea of God. If you want to be part of that conversation, please sign up by April 9^th, so I can send you reading materials in preparation for the first class on April 16^th. We will be meeting on Wednesday evenings from 6:30 to 9 p.m. and there are readings to complete each week between classes. If you want to register, you can sign up on the Adult Enrichment board, or email me at revmyke a2u2.org.

May the spring bring abundance and life to all of our dearest hopes and dreams!

Rev. Myke

New from the Wider UU

A lot is happening in the wider Unitarian Universalist movement that I thought would interest you. First of all, the UUA is moving its central offices from 25 Beacon Street to 24 Farnsworth Street in Boston. Some have expressed a feeling of loss at the departure from the historic building right next to the Massachusetts State House, but many are excited about creating a much more functional and adaptable space for moving into the future. The move is expected to happen in May.

Another new thing—the Northern New England District is moving toward regionalization—we are joining with other New England Districts to share staff resources and collaboration on many levels. I am not yet sure what this will mean for our connections with district staff, but you can find out more about it at our District Annual Meeting on April 12^th in Concord, NH. Registration is open now for this multigenerational gathering. If you would like to be a delegate for this event, talk to Clay Atkinson, our board president at clay [at] ericsonmitchell.com. You can find more information and Registration materials here.

This year, the annual UU General Assembly is happening June 25-29 in Providence, RI. It's close to us so that means we can get there by car, bus or train—no big plane fares to add to the cost. We are hoping that our youth group might be able to attend this year--they are beginning to talk about it—as well as many adults from our congregation. Registration (and application for scholarships) starts March 3^rd.

For those who are new, General Assembly is the annual meeting of our Unitarian Universalist Association. UU's from all over the country worship together, witness to our values, learn, connect, and make policy for the Association through a democratic process. Anyone may attend; we are also entitled to appoint 6 voting delegates from our congregation. The theme for 2014 GA is “Love Reaches Out,”
with an emphasis on how our faith helps us to grow in our capacity to serve the world with love.  

General Assembly includes fabulous programming--almost 200 choices over the 5 days.  One highlight is the annual Ware lecture, which this year be Sister Simone Campbell, a religious leader, attorney and poet with extensive experience in public policy and advocacy for systemic change. In 2012, she was instrumental in organizing the “Nuns on the Bus” tour advocating for justice for immigrants and low-income Americans. There is also an active youth and young adult contingent at GA. Scholarship and Volunteer Opportunities, Childcare, and Accessibility Services are available.

Click her for more information. If you would like to be a delegate from our church, contact Clay Atkinson. (The Board of Trustees makes the decision on our six delegates.)

Finally, the UUA has a new logo—check it out.

Fire in Winter

Winter has got us firmly in its grip, even as we are technically half-way through the season on February 2^nd. That day celebrates an old festival with many manifestations—Imbolc, Candlemas, Groundhog's Day, and now Superbowl Sunday. (Even though Superbowl seems like the farthest thing from a religious observance—or maybe not.) The Celts celebrated Brigid on this day, the Goddess of smith-craft, poetry, and healing. I always liked that combination—the forging of metal, the forging of words, the forging of whatever fiery powers create healing in people. I like what Cherrie Moraga says at the end of her poem, The Welder,

I am the welder.

I understand the capacity of heat

to change the shape of things.

I am suited to work

within the realm of sparks

out of control.

I am the welder.

I am taking the power

into my own hands.

Perhaps our A2U2 triple forge would include fiery speaking out for justice, warmth in the healing care we give to each other, and the flaming chalice of communal worship each week. Fire helps us get through the winter, and also through the winters of our souls, when hard times come into our lives. May you stay warm, and may your passion for life be rekindled by the light and fire in others.

We recently learned of the death of Pete Seeger, that fiery prophet for justice through the medium of song. He was an amazing light in our world, and (you might not know) he was a member of the UU Community Church in New York. He used music to bring people together, to connect us with the earth, to work for civil rights, worker rights, and peace, and to plant seeds of hope. His passing also reminds me of the passing of Nelson Mandela—both of them living long lives, both of them giants in our times.

I feel inspired and warmed by their light. They remind me that all of us have something to give the world, something to give to the times we live in. That is another side of the February festival—to claim our own gifts and use them to serve our world. May you find inspiration during these cold days, and may your light shine!

                                                                                    Love, Rev. Myke

Ministry

This January, our Committee on Ministry will conduct a church-wide “Review of the Ministry.” It is a chance for all of us to reflect on the ministry of the church—both that ministry which is done by your professional Minister (me), and that which is done by everyone in the ministry we share together. As the committee and I have talked about it during our fall meetings, it was intriguing to wrestle with the idea that every person has a ministry. What is your ministry? How do you share your gifts with the world? How are you present to others in encouraging and compassionate ways? And how does the role of the professional minister intersect with the roles of the ministry of every member?

I will be looking at some of those questions in worship on January 5^th, as a kind of conversation starter for the small groups that will be exploring these and other questions in the two weeks following, led by the Committee on Ministry. Our hope is to provoke meaningful sharing and connection among church members, as well as to get feedback for the work of our church. It is also a chance for me to get feedback from all of you.

In our UU faith tradition, the minister is “called” by the congregation, rather than “hired.” I don't have a boss to report to—rather, I have a covenantal relationship with the whole congregation, and work collaboratively with the Board. Some of you remember when I first came here eight and a half years ago in May, and we interviewed each other to see if we wanted to pursue ministry together. But more than half of our members have joined since then, so might not know how it works. In 2005, there was a week including worship and meetings of various groups in the church, culminating in a church-wide vote about whether to ask me to be your minister. By so doing, we entered this unique relationship. I suppose it is something like a marriage, because it is important every so often to check in about how we are doing. So that is one purpose of these January meetings.

I hope as many of you as possible will participate, either through your Spiritual Enrichment Group, or through signing up for the special meetings to take place in people's homes, or at church. I look forward to this opportunity to enhance the ministry of our church.

In the meantime, I wish everyone a wonderful New Year! May this coming year be full of good things for you and your families, and for our church community.

Rev. Myke 

Church with Children

I am thinking today about the children at Allen Avenue. It has been good to visit the Religious Education groups during the 9 a.m. worship services while worship associates lead the congregation for joys and concerns, offering, and readings. Each visit has felt very short, maybe five or ten minutes at most. Sometimes we don't even finish the children's joys and sorrows time. But a couple of small incidents during the last few weeks make me realize that the visits have more impact than it might seem. 

The week after a visit to one class of young ones, the child I had sat next to in the circle approached me to ask if he might light the chalice during worship.  And after a visit to another group, a child saw me after the service and came up and gave me a hug.  I am delighted at the way these simple visits draw me closer to our children.

And speaking of lighting the chalice--perhaps parents might like to know that I welcome requests from children to light the chalice. My usual routine is to ask a child who is in the sanctuary a little before worship begins.  If your child would like to play that role, just come to church five to ten minutes early and ask.  I try to give a turn to those who haven't done it a lot, but it doesn't always turn out that way.

It has been great to have new babies in our church community.  Just so you know, UUs have a lovely ceremony called a Child Dedication that I am happy to arrange for infants of our members.  We usually do it during the time of the lesson for all ages.  We call the child by name, and bless them with water, the source of all life.  We dedicate ourselves as parents and as a church community to help them grow into their fullness. Occasionally we also do a group dedication including older children who are new to our church. If you would like to know more about it, just send me an email at revmyke@a2u2.org. 

As we enter the season perhaps most devoted to children, may all know joy, peace, and wonder.

Affectionately, 

Rev. Myke

Bringing People Together

The moon is shining bright outside as I write this tonight. I am thinking about the Red Sox, and the night they won the World Series in 2004, right during an eclipse of the moon, reversing the curse of not winning since 1918. They are playing the series again, and though I don't watch baseball very often, I can feel the energy in the air. Collective hope, fear, passion, elation? It's funny how sports have become the venues that bring the most people together into one focus.

In our own way, our church also brings people together—at least some of the time, some of the people. Competing with shopping, television, school activities, sports, concerts—so many options exist today for how we spend our time. Why do we choose church? What are we looking for here that we can't find anywhere else? Perhaps it is something about connecting with each other deeply, and connecting with our own deepest selves—a chance for intimacy of spirit, and a chance to give attention to what matters most. We show up, we hope for a little light to shine in our hearts. We hope for a circle of light, like the full moon on a clear night.

It isn't easy or automatic. We need to help each other find the way. When we help each other, we call that our shared ministry. It happens when we listen, really listen to each other. It happens when we smile, when we invite each other to talk, to lunch, to sing. It happens when we take a risk to share from our hearts. It happens in our spiritual enrichment groups, the mens group, the elderism salon, RE groups, visits with elders. It happens in worship, and in coffee hour sometime. Do you come to church hungry for this?

What we need are people who are catalysts of ministry—who are willing to ask the next questions, listen to “how are you really?” We need people who step out of their comfort zone to talk to someone they don't know, invite them to connect. We need people who spread kindness. We have a lot of those people by the way. I am humbled by the depth of caring and light that shines in our midst. And we always need one more person to be one of those lights. There are a lot of needs. Right now I am thinking of some people who would love visitors because they can't get out much anymore. I am thinking of newcomers who can feel the energy of love in our church, but don't know how to access it yet. If you have some room in your heart for something like that, please let me know. Ask me about our Pastoral Visitors, or our Member Connections group.

Church is an ever evolving process, and it is hard sometimes and messy sometimes. Be the light! Sometimes there are little celebrations too. Did you know that in 2001, we purchased the woods that lies over the little bridge near the sanctuary? It was about to be developed, and some very smart people in our church, led by then president Jack Berman, convinced the developers to change their plans and sell us 2 and a half acres. This month we paid off the mortgage for that land. Take a walk over there if you can, to the lovely rock formations. We wouldn't have that woods if people in our church hadn't given their time and energy to bring this light to our community. That's how it works. Jack has Alzheimer's now, but he remembers getting that land, and I think it would be great if as many of us as possible thanked him during this month. We'll have a celebration on November 17th as well, at worship. Moments of light and joy.

Thanks to the light you bring! Rev. Myke