“Art can permeate the very deepest part of us, where no words exist.” ― Eileen Miller May is not only the Soul Matters month of Creativity. It is also Mental Health Awareness Month. Today, I am reminded of the intersection of the two. When going through mental health challenges, perhaps it seems unlikely that one … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 5.17.23
Dear Ones, The Soul Matters theme for the month of May is Creativity, and what a great topic to explore as the Fellowship engages transition and transformation. Neurobiologist Anne-Marie Willis tell us that “We design our world, while our world acts back on us and designs us.” There has been quite a bit of buzz … Continue reading May 10, 2023 Minister’s Message
Today, in honor of this month of Creativity, I share these words from Brené Brown to reflect on: “Art has the power to render sorrow beautiful, make loneliness a shared experience, and transform despair into hope… It is the ability to both capture our pain and deliver us from it at the same time… The transformative power … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 5.10.23
To celebrate the beginning of the Soul Matters month of Creativity, here are some words from writer, Elizabeth Gilbert. Her book, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear, is one of my favorite reads of the topic. This list is found with greater explanation https://www.dailygood.org/story/1485/11-tips-to-living-a-creative-life-elizabeth-gilbert/ If you’re alive, you’re a creative person. You’re not a genius, you … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 5.3.23
Dear Ones, The Soul Matters theme for the month of May is Creativity. That is a word that used to scare me a lot, because I had no discernible talents that fell into my understanding of what creativity was—I was not an artist, an actor, a poet, a musician. But my definition was much too … Continue reading May 3, 2023 Minister’s Message
Dear Ones, It’s been a busy week already, and so I offer you a spacious opportunity to think about how resistance can be a positive value in your life. French philosopher Albert Camus provides this wisdom for your contemplation: “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that … Continue reading April 26, 2023 Minister’s Message
I recently have returned to my intention of writing what are known as “morning pages” – a stream-of-consciousness ritual of writing 3 pages first thing each morning (coined by Julia Cameron in her book The Artist’s Way.) I had written them quite consistently for around 18 months before having Aedan around, and it provided me with … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 4.26.23
Dear Ones, I appreciated the opportunity to present a Question Box service with the Fellowship on April 16. And I did not get to all the questions. So, here is a stab at some of the ones I did not answer in person. Here is one question: “Given the Easter season, Pilate’s question, ‘What … Continue reading April 19, 2023 Minister’s Message
“Treating each other and ourselves with care isn’t a luxury, but an absolute necessity if we’re going to thrive. Resting isn’t an afterthought, but a basic part of being human.” ― Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto I am grateful to be returning from a healthy mix of fun adventure, restorative leisure, and some caretaking … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 4.19.23
It’s time for another “Question Box” worship service, this Sunday, April 16. I welcome your questions about theology, religious practice, and the “where”s and “why for”s of my practices as a your minister. Please send your questions by Sunday morning at 9:00am to minister.uumankato@gmail.com You will also have a chance to write a question … Continue reading April 12, 2023 Minister’s Message
