Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 7.23.25

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Last weekend made for some great time off, getting to take Aedan for his first tent camping weekend at a small music festival in Viroqua, WI. Spending the whole weekend outside, dirty, sweaty, present, unscheduled, with my toddler by my side, surrounded by folks doing the things they love, reminded me of the ways that creativity, connection, wisdom, and wholeness are sensed when we simply unbusy ourselves.

In a time when there is so much pain and devastation collectively, it can sometimes feel privileged or seem even a bit frivolous to attend and share about these joyful gatherings. Yet, ironically, those seem to be the times when joy and connection become most vital. We can hold both and allow them to expand our heart’s capacity. While the weekend was physically a little tiring, I am grateful to have had the opportunity to reset and restore spiritually and to have come home inspired. I then wrote this poem when I arrived home:

See how easily
the threads connect
when you become still enough
to witness your own wisdom.

No need for a hurried becoming.
Let yourself surrender,
let yourself root,
let yourself rise —
not for display,
but for the sheer joy
of belonging to life.

Your soul does not crave applause.
It longs for honesty,
for gentle communion,
for the sacred rhythm
of connecting, of giving,
of becoming whole.

Step quietly beyond the walls of your thinking.
Loosen the grip—
it was never meant to be held so tightly.

Trust the unseen current
that pulls you toward your blooming.
Notice how magic hums
beneath your ribs
when you simply witness yourself.

And when anxiety visits,
greet her not as enemy,
but as a nervous, younger sister
in need of intimate care,
longing for rest.

Sit with her.
Speak to her in the hush of dawn,
a voice like soft river water:
Right here,
right now,
we are safe.
We are love.
We are already

more than enough.

Some upcoming happenings outside of our standard Sunday morning programming:

Activities yet to be determined – please let Macey know by emailing her at lffdirector.uumankato@gmail.com if you have any interest in participating in any of the following, as these are ideas that could use some support. Please know staff are always open to hearing yours, too:

  • Painting small-scale mural in the Children’s Faith Development classroom
  • Organizing fall clothing and item swap day
  • Crafting keychains for our Backpack Blessing ritual
  • Lastly, this one is a certain date, but another invitation is assisting with kid-friendly crafts at Mankato Pride (possible coloring, beads, tie-dye – I am still considering what will be possible)