Spring Delights Us With Wonder
May 2012
Spring comes into its full presence this month, delighting us with the wonder of bird song and sightings, blossoms of all kinds and colors, and the green, green, green of life.
In her book, The Celtic Devotional, Caitlin Matthews suggests that as we travel through the “land of Spring,” we relate our spiritual journey to “the unfolding beauty of this season.” What in your spirit is blossoming now? What new beauty within you is starting to reveal itself? How is the new life around you stirring new life – interests, curiosity, and exploration – within you?
And what about the new life in our congregation as well? As part of this congregation and contributor to its wellbeing, how do you find yourself helping to nourish new ideas, new projects, new connections within our spiritual home?
What unfolding beauty at UUCNC might we be part of? How is each of us contributing to the beauty of our congregation, through a kind word, an expression of goodwill or appreciation, wholehearted participation in projects that strengthen the bonds between us and support the common good and our future together?
May the sights, smells, sounds and movements of this beautiful season encourage each of us to bring forth new life and beauty within ourselves and within our beloved congregation.
Wishing you every joy,
© 2012 Rev. Theresa Kime
Change
April 2012
It’s difficult, even when you want it. It means disruption of routines, facing new situations, concern about how it’s going and will go, and lots of decisions. In groups it can also mean the opportunity to respectfully disagree, to go deeper in relationships, to offer forgiveness and to ask for forgiveness. And it can mean working together for something greater than our individual selves and preferences, committing to the long haul, carefully considering the common good. It means celebrating the new, grieving the old, honoring a shared vision.
When consultant Barry Finkelstein was with us last month, he mentioned the challenges of change. His advice, given several times, was that we remember, as we step closer to change in meeting location, to “be nice to each other.” Being nice to each other doesn’t mean we won’t disagree, but it does mean we will do our best to disagree respectfully, often a challenge when we are passionate about something, which UUs often are! Perhaps it also means we “listen in order to understand,” as Zen Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh puts it, rather than listening till we can get a chance to tell one another our position again. It could mean being willing to be changed ourselves, to receive new information and carefully consider it rather than dismissing it out of hand because it doesn’t agree with our ideas.
As we get closer to decisions about who we are as a Unitarian Universalist spiritual community at this moment in time and what our vision is of where we wish to go and how we will fund that dream and house it, we will get many opportunities to practice forgiveness, patience, kindness, and goodwill, as well as joy, interdependence, and caring. And isn’t that a good thing? To develop spiritually, we need to have such opportunities to grow our spirits, our hearts, and our minds.
Sometimes these opportunities are not much fun, though, and sometimes, they are even troubling. But maybe we can remember the words of our famous UU forebears, Ferenc David (aka Francis David) and Hosea Ballou. Ferenc David said, in the 1500s, “We need not think alike to love alike,” while Hosea Ballou reminded us in the 1800s, “If we agree in love, there is no disagreement that will do us any injury, but if we do not, no other agreement can do us any good.”
We are good folks, with good hearts and good wishes for the well being of UUCNC, the spiritual home we cherish and create together. May we use this time of change to strengthen our bonds to one another and our Unitarian Universalist faith through the challenges change brings us.
Yours in spiritual practice,
Terry
© 2012 Rev. Theresa Kime
Unity
March 2012
We’ll have several chances to explore this topic with heart and mind this month.
Our UUCNC Healthy Congregations Team will continue learning about ways that foster it as they attend day-long workshops by St. Lawrence District staff each month in Buffalo. They’ll bring what they’ve learned to our committees and Board.
Early in March we’ll have an assessment visit from a UUA financial consultant who will visit with the board, committees and individuals to help us determine next steps regarding UUCNC’s vision for its future. Where might our unity lead us?
On March 4, our Social Action Committee will offer the first of seven sessions from the Welcoming Congregation program, inviting everyone to participate as we explore ways to make our congregation and our society safe and inviting places for gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender folks. Unity with others.
We’ll also be starting an adult spiritual development class this month – Wisdom Walk – learning spiritual practices from several faith traditions to aid us in cultivating peace and balance. Unity of the heart.
On Saturday, March 24, I hope everyone will join for a day of fun and connection – learning more about ourselves and one another and exchanging ideas on a variety of topics, from membership expectations to considering what values guide us – as we gather for an all-congregation retreat. Unity of spirit.
On Sunday, March 25, we’ll have our annual Justice Sunday, followed by an informational forum later that afternoon, sponsored by our Social Action Committee, on the Occupy Movement. Unity with our larger community.
And we’ll end the month on Saturday, March 31, with a wonderful dinner and celebration together – a Fiesta – to initiate our annual stewardship campaign. This year members and friends will meet individually with a visiting steward to explore their connection to, vision for, and appreciation of UUCNC and ways each can help keep our congregation strong and vital. Unity in our faith.
Lots is happening this month! Spring must be in the air – a time for new life, energy, growing, and preparing to bloom.
With every good wish to each of you,
Terry
© 2012 Rev. Theresa Kime
The Promise of Love
February 2012
February: a cold winter month in our area, warmed by the promise of love: Valentine’s Day. While Valentine’s Day holds up romantic love, it can also be a reminder of the many forms of love we each encounter and participate in: love for our children, our friends, our animal companions; love for the earth, for our neighbors, for our faith; love for those different from us – those with more or less than we, those living in war-torn areas or those of famine; love for the snow, the blue sky, a good book or a beautiful work of art, music; love for the homes and places of refuge we create for ourselves and for others.
During this month that celebrates love, may each of us hold gently, and with thanksgiving, all that we love, and affirm all the love within our hearts that is available for us to spend. May we spend it lavishly, for the wellbeing of all.
Wishing you every blessing of love,
Terry
© 2012 Rev. Theresa Kime
Gratitude
January 2012
Gratitude. A good spiritual quality and discipline to look at this first month of the new year, 2012. With an attitude of gratitude, life eases and peace comes closer. With praise and thanksgiving, joy find us.
This month we’ll spend our two Sundays together exploring how a grateful heart might influence our daily living and our ability to respond to others in a caring manner. We’ll consider spiritual practices and teachings that can help us stay focused on this spiritual path and offer us guidance throughout the coming year.
With gratitude for our shared ministry,
Terry
© 2012 Rev. Theresa Kime
Miracles Around Us
December 2011
Our spiritual theme for the month of December is “witness.” Many of the holy days of this time ask us to consider the miracles around us. They offer us the chance to consider the many ways we encounter these: in the birth and potential of a child; in the light – the warmth and connection – given from our trust in, and connection to, the Holy; in the beauty and promise of nature, with its cycles and seasons that hold us steady.
Maybe this month is the time for each of us to reflect on the miracles we encounter every day: our loved ones, human and animal; the amazing display of nature; food on our table; a place to call home; the fact that we are alive, with the chance to offer good humor, goodwill, and caring to one another; and so many more. What miracles might you marvel at, and witness to this month?
And as witness to all we’ve been given and the miracles that abound, maybe this month, as we reach out to others with kindness and understanding, especially those who are strangers to us, we may bring closer into being peace on earth and blessing to all.
With gratitude for the wonderful miracle each of you is,
Terry
© 2011 Rev. Theresa Kime
Many Blessings
November 2011
November is traditionally a month when we are reminded of our many blessings. It’s a time to examine our experiences in life, our opportunities and connections, and give thanks for all that has, and continues, to support, guide, and strengthen us to live with joy and compassion. It’s also an opportunity to consider how we might pass blessings on, looking at where, in our lives, we might offer opportunity or connection or caring for another’s well being.
The great Buddhist teacher Shantideva wrote in his teachings: “All who are unhappy in the world are so as a result of their desire for their own happiness. All those we are happy in this world are so as a result of their desire for the happiness of others.” As with all Buddhist teachings, this one is something for each of us to consider and see if it rings true for us, or if it might help guide us in how we live. Perhaps we may find it helpful, and if not, Buddhists would encourage us to let it go.
However we celebrate Thanksgiving Day this year, I hope we’ll each take some time during the month to offer thanks from a place deep in our hearts, and know the joy and refreshment of experiencing gratitude and appreciation.
With every good wish, and with my heartfelt thanks for your kindness and caring which are such a blessing in my life as well as in the spiritual home we create together, and in the larger community we all share,
Terry
© 2011 Rev. Theresa Kime
Belonging
October 2011
This is our theme for October, and we’ll be exploring it not only in our worship services, but also through congregational events.
Don’t miss the All Congregation Mission and Vision afternoon on Saturday, October 22. And join in a fun time for all ages on October 23, when our Religious Exploration Committee invites us to gather at Harvest Hollow Farm for a time of enjoying the fall season together through exploring the corn maze, hayrides, and more.
Lastly, make sure you get your offerings for our congregational goods and services auction (on November 12) to the Auction Committee, and consider how you might help with this great congregational event. It’s a night full of laughter and intrigue as we support our congregation through purchasing items offered by one another. I have loved my purchases from last year: a Sri Lankan dinner, computer guidance, juggling lessons, and the opportunity to sing with the Wagner-Maggitti family! Can’t wait to see the offerings this and what I’ll be lucky enough to bid on.
Belonging. Connection. Growing heart, mind and spirit as we laugh, exchange ideas, appreciate, support and guide this wonderful community we create together.
With every good wish to each of you,
Terry
© 2011 Rev. Theresa Kime
A Great Year Ahead!
September 2011
What a great year we have ahead of us — full of new adventures and discoveries! We’ll be establishing our congregation’s mission and vision for the future in October. We’ll be working on a covenant of right relationship this year. Our Building/Space Acquisition Committee will be continuing its work to secure meeting space that best suits our current needs and mission/vision. Our Religious Exploration Committee will be fostering connections among parents and providing ongoing, engaging spiritual growth for children and youth. Our Nominating Committee will be working on leadership development to foster growth of new and longtime leaders. All this makes for exciting, energizing, and, perhaps occasionally, challenging times ahead — a stretching and engagement of our hearts, minds, and spirits.
Already our Religious Exploration Committee has broken new territory: a year in the planning, based on fundraisers done throughout the year by the teens and board support provided by member pledges, in July seven youth, five adults and one almost two-year-old traveled to Boston for the congregation’s first-ever Youth UU Heritage Trip. Chris and Kelly Filkins (and son Gabe) did a wonderful job planning and guiding us, and Janey Wagner-Maggitti and Andrew Maggitti and I enjoyed being part of the adventure. We have such an impressive group of youth! It was a delight and privilege to be with them on this trip. They’ll be telling us about their experiences at a worship service in September.
As for worship this year, the Worship Committee has adopted a new format for planning. We’ll be focusing on a theme a month, anticipating this will provide us with the opportunity to consider more deeply each one. Our themes for this year will be Beginning (September), Belonging (October), Vision (November), Witness (December), Gratitude (January), Courage (February), Forgiveness (March), Unity (April), Wonder (May). Chalice Circle opportunities will be offered that coordinate with these themes as well, giving us the additional chance to explore the themes through personal sharing with others.
How fortunate we are to be at this place in our congregational life! Our gratitude must go to all who have sustained this congregation over the years and all who currently do. I am looking forward to seeing you all in September and sharing this time of promise.
Wishing joy and peace to each one,
Terry
© 2011 Rev. Theresa Kime
'Gratitude' for State's Celebration of Love
July 2011
How blessed we are to live in a country where we are free to be responsible, respectful, and fair to all our citizens.
For this, gratitude must be given to all who serve and have served in our armed forces, the founders of this country, the original peoples of this beautiful land, all immigrants who over and over have made us stronger by the diversity and enthusiasm they bring to life here, and those who show us places of injustice so that we might correct them.
Gratitude must also be extended to our state legislature who recently passed the law that will recognize and affirm gay and lesbian couples’ right to legally recognized commitments of love to one another.
The celebration of love, and the lasting commitment responsible caring people make to one another in honor of it, is one of the things that ennobles the human race.
With my religious denomination and my congregation, The Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Northern Chautauqua, I am grateful for this extension of justice in the laws of our land.
Published as a letter to the editor in the Dunkirk Observer on July 27, 2011.
© 2011 Rev. Theresa Kime
Minister Messages from 2010 - 2011