Mother’s Day 2018

Yesterday’s Mother’s Day I was pampered by my loves in the morning. They made me breakfast and served it to me in bed. The entire day was filled with relaxation and fun, in nature, with friends, with my loves, and with new family.  Life on Lancey Street is beautiful. Our gardens are beginning to bloom, our children’s laughter can be heard in the air. Our friendships keep deepening and our circle keeps growing. Last night, after a day of all of us Moms being able to rest and simply enjoy the day, 17 of us gathered to share dinner together. Then at the end of the evening walked across the street to our homes, satisfied and happy. My wish for the world is that everyone is able to experience and live in this kind of beloved community.  My wish is that everyone is able to love and be loved.  And to let go of the tethers to anything that prevents this to come into being. There are reasons for which I will hold the telling of in other postings, but Yesterday’s Mother’s Day was a first. I have been a mother for 26 years. In all that time I have never once really celebrated Mother’s Day. Nor, been truly celebrated on Mother’s Day in such unequivocal ways by those who reside with me. Until yesterday. For this and a thousand more things, I am grateful. I accept this gift of change. I accept this time of loving and being loved.

 

Mothering on the Inside by Anna Huckabee Tull

My dear friend Anna Huckabee Tull‘s take on Mother’s Day.

“There is an oft-shared story in my family about a gentleman—a friend of the family, apparently—who pulled my grandmother aside when she was only five years old and attending the funeral of her very own mother who had just passed away from a prolonged illness. He handed my little-girl grandmother a mirror and invited her to look into it, asking her, ‘Do you see that face? Those eyes? Look carefully into that face, because that young girl you see in the mirror is someone you are going to need to look out for, to listen to, and to be a mother to. You are going to need to do it yourself, now. You are capable of this.’”

Click link below to read Anna’s full blog post

mothering on the inside

 

Like-Mindedness or Life Saving Ministry

DeReau K. Farrar, music at First Unitarian Church of Portland, Oregon, found himself faced with questioning what kind of ministry he wants his to be:

“What pulls me toward church work? Is my service based in a desire to help people find a way toward abundant life, or is it based in my need to provide a venue for like-mindedness?”

He discovered that it is more than simply, “both/and.” Then he explains why!

I encourage you to read his reflection on the Braver/Wiser website

 

 

Congregational Polity and the Myth of Congregational Autonomy

I am so glad that this has been finally posted. I attended Sue’s workshop at GA in Portland two years ago. Such important information for congregation members and parish and community ministers to understand.

For those feeling they are UU in their hearts, wish to claim it as their own, but currently claimed by their faith according to the summary set out here by Sue Phillips, yet not yet part of a UU organization – you are Not Alone!

For individuals who have not found a local congregation to call your own, know that there are many online gatherings of UU communities, as well as the Church of the Larger Fellowship, where you can become a member of this UU covenanted “beyond-the-walls” congregation to be claimed by your faith.

For ministers ordained by another denomination and/or not UU fellowshipped, consider the Unitarian Universalist Society for Community Ministries as a viable option to live into your call as clergy in an ever-evolving faith-tradition.

 

Video of our Community Television/PEG Media Forum in Pittsfield!

We had a wonderful turnout in Pittsfield last night for the Public Forum on Community Television and PEG Media! Many residents attended, showing their enthusiasm for Central Maine Media Alliance (CMMA). We have such gratitude to those who support this project! Special thanks to Ron Watson (Chair of our Sebasticook Valley region’s ad hoc advisory council) for moderating the panel discussion and Q&A.

https://www.facebook.com/MBTV11/videos/10155657175023823/