 | Some things you should know about me are: I’m an optimist, I am a survivor, and I am a fixer. However on November 9, 2016, I lost my identity. I lost my positivity and my self-efficacy. I had created a world where I was surrounded by liberal advocates, and it suddenly became apparent I had been living in a bubble. About a month in to my loss of ‘self,’ Daniel and I decided we needed something. We just were not sure what that ‘something’ was. In those dark days, after many conversations accompanied with many glasses of wine, we decided on two things. We would rescue a puppy and find a spiritual community with like-minded people. After being raised in an extremely strict Lutheran home, I definitely knew what I was not looking for in a church. We looked for a place free of judgement and shame; a place where we could be reminded of who we were and surround ourselves with kindred spirits. After researching our options for both a puppy and a church, we rescued our dog Karl Marx, and we have been here ever since. Our first six months here were kind of a blur for me. Many times I was relatively detached from the readings and the sermon, only to stare at the 7 Principles on the back of the bulletin. I would read them over and over again, and try to remind myself that there were still good people in the world. I would look around at the people that came here from week to week and wondered if I would ever be okay enough to be ‘one of you.’ I wondered how I could return to the person who believed and lived those 7 Principles, when I was so desperate and angry. But slowly, and not very gracefully I might add, I plowed through my grief and began trying to figure out how I could connect with the people of this community. When I am here, in your midst, I am reminded of who am. I am inspired to not only grow as a human, but find ways to contribute to the greater causes of this church. My hope is that I can give to this church, both financially and my time and talents, as much as I feel I have gained from it. Our mission states we strive “To be a religious community guided by love, transforming our lives and our world.” Those are powerful words. To be guided by love… I don’t think I’m completely there yet, but being a part of this community definitely brings me continuously closer. |
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Stewardship
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