Happy Solstice to all! Today, my husband Drew and I are not only celebrating two years of marriage, but I also am writing to announce that we are expecting a baby due out by June! We are very excited to see what this new adventure will look like. While I anticipate being on maternity leave … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 12.20.2021
The empty chair is very present for many of us at this time of year. As I prepare to spend the weekend with my mother, my sister, and my sister’s family, I hold in my heart all of you for whom the holiday season is not simply happy. The loss of my father weighs heavy. … Continue reading Minister’s Message Dec. 15, 2021
In the words of activist Adrienne Maree Brown, “Ultimately, love for the self is the deepest pleasure we deny ourselves. I work daily to be courageous enough to indulge in the purest pleasure of selflove.” Indulgencing in selflove, in loving our bodies—creaky, injured, aging, ill, currently just fine—is necessary for living as whole human beings. … Continue reading December 8, 2021 Minister’s Message
“Life’s persistent and most urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Martin Luther King Jr. I learned something new about the word enjoy from our Soul Matters resources. Surprisingly, its etymology is to give or make joy. In Old French, enjoir is “to give joy” from en- “make” + joie “enjoy.” This is a creative challenge to our … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 12.08.21
It was a real pleasure seeing people file into the building on Sunday for our first in person service in a very long time. Some would say too long. As a testament to how much attendees enjoyed the experience, we had to gently encourage people to leave in honor of our decision to not allow … Continue reading Board President’s Message 12.08.21
Most of us are well aware of what makes us happy. I think happiness is especially available to us in this holiday season, both by the presence of certain things or their absence. Family. Security. Tradition. Familiarity. We know and we cherish those feelings of warmth and closeness, miss them when they leave us. Yet … Continue reading December 1, 2021 Minister’s Message
“Twinkle lights are the perfect metaphor for joy. Joy is not a constant. It comes to us in moments – often ordinary moments. Sometimes we miss out on the bursts of joy because we’re too busy chasing down extraordinary moments. Other times we’re so afraid of the dark that we don’t dare let ourselves enjoy … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 12.01.21
The long wait is nearly over. On Sunday, December 5 we will once again welcome people into our building to experience Sunday Services in person. It’s been a long time in coming. Though the experience will be different from what it was prior to closing—we ask you to be vaccinated, masked, and physically distanced—for some … Continue reading Board President’s Update 11.30.21
Today, I took the morning for some worship planning into the new year. And now I am getting ready for the arrival later tonight of my children. I am so very excited that they will journey from east and from west to be with us for cooking and eating dinners together, cutting and decorating a … Continue reading November 24, 2021 Minister’s Message
“It’s not forgetting that heals. It’s remembering.” – Amy Greene As we conclude the month of Holding History in the coming week, many of us recognize and hold traditions for Thanksgiving. I hope the coming days of taking time to slow down and perhaps gathering among family find you nourished and well. While many grew … Continue reading CDF Director’s Corner 11.24.21
