Dear Friends,

I am grateful today for these words of wonder from Thich Nhat Hanh in his The Art of Living: “Spirituality is not religion. It is a path for us to generate happiness, understanding, and love, so we can live deeply each moment of our life. Having a spiritual dimension in our lives does not mean escaping life or dwelling in a place of bliss outside this world but discovering ways to handle life’s difficulties and generate peace, joy, and happiness right where we are, on this beautiful planet.”

If spirituality is a path for living and generating meaning and purpose within the challenges and beauties of life, then what is religion? I like to say that religion, especially Unitarian Universalism, is spirituality in company. We may be on separate paths, and we may see reality differently. Sharing those visions and those paths gives all of us a wider frame of reference as we seek the ultimate and the fundamental of our human beingness. Religion as spirituality in company enables us to be less alone in the big issues of life—in the mysteries of dying and living, of living well in the short time that we all have.

May you live spiritually, as you remember also that, in this religious community, you are loved, you are worthy, you are welcome, and you are needed. May you feel it so, and may it be so.

Blessings and warm wishes, Rev. Rita