Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all easier. I will not allow my life’s light to be determined by the darkness around me.
Sojourner Truth
Dear ones,
We are living in a challenging time, when living our UU values feels even more essential and needed. At our recent NAACP Freedom Fund Brunch – Strengthening the Power of Community, we gathered as community members, faith and political leaders, youth, and Bishop Rev. Dr. Shannon MacVean Brown of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont offered words of strength – In this moment, Dr. King would tell us to take up a role in life to be strong members of strong communities…. So it is that we re-commit to being strong and resilient members of All Souls Church and help in strengthening our communities, letting our faith lead us.
There are moments every day that we can put our faith into action, be it noticing someone who is struggling and reaching out; signing our name to a letter or petition; to preparing meals, offering rides, lending a hand. But most importantly, in order to exhibit resilience and strength, we need to take gentle and ongoing care of ourselves and each other. We need to hear inspiring words, read poetry and stories that lift our spirits and give us hope. We need to laugh out loud at a silly movie or a squirrel scampering up the tree, and let ourselves be awed by dark branches against a deep orange sunset or a hawk gliding high above.
Resilience is our SoulMatters theme for February, and it seems essential to build our resilience to be more like the willow tree, able to bend but with roots firmly planted. Our values call us to be with our immigrant and refugee neighbors, and to proclaim that our doors are open to welcome all who come through. We cannot succumb to fear but strive to remember that the power of love is more powerful.
In this month when we celebrate Valentine’s Day (I hope to see you at our Valentines’ Fondue Party on Friday, February 13th!) it is really about Love in the largest sense, binding us together, inspiring us to respond with compassion. There are Holy Days in February that begin with Imbolc and the start of Spring in the pagan tradition; the beginning of Ramadan for Muslims with a month of fasting and prayer; and the season of Lent, a time of fasting and prayer for Christians. The month also marks the death of Buddha and his final attainment of enlightenment. It comforts and inspires me to observe the common ground across faith traditions, and feels important to remember as we create bridges of understanding. May we find solace, strength and joy in the days ahead as we navigate these winter days, together.
Blessings,
Rev. Telos