“What if we tuned in to the detail of a leaf or the mood of the forest after a rain as closely as we notice our own shortcomings?” -Chelan Harkin Following worship this past week, I finally returned to my yoga mat and found myself reflecting on the week’s theme: the beauty found in the diversity of bodies. Pregnancy has … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 5.18.22
Dear Ones, I am thrilled for the bursting greens on so many of the trees, for the dandelions and hostas and lilies and more poking out of the brown leaves still covering my flowerbeds. This is the beauty to which I turn to escape the anxiety I place upon myself when I watch too much … Continue reading May 11, 2022 Minister’s Message
“At some point in life the world’s beauty becomes enough. You don’t need to photograph, paint, or even remember it. It is enough. No record of it needs to be kept and you don’t need someone to share it with or tell it to.” Toni Morrison I am wishing you much presence and awe as … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 5.11.22
My brother-in-law died unexpectedly last Wednesday. He was my sister’s husband, only 63 years old. I was present for it. An entirely ordinary and entirely devastating event. Death is our birthright, whether we wish it or not, and yet it is a horrible shock. And we say—he was too young. And we say—he had so … Continue reading May 4, 2022 Minister’s Message
“This is a wonderful day. I’ve never seen this one before.” – Maya Angelou May is the month of Nurturing Beauty and may or may not be the month in which a baby emerges from me! While we opted out of gathering for a baby shower this past Saturday, a lot of people came through and dropped … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 5.4.22
Today, I leave you with these words as a short conclusion to the month of Awakening: “Moments of hearing for the first time; you never know what may cause them. The sight of the Atlantic Ocean can do it, or a piece of music, or a face you’ve never seen before. A pair of somebody’s old … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 4.27.22
Last Sunday, our service focused on working to design our society with life, rather than humans, at the center. Rather than thinking of our own human interests as the most important factor, what might the world look like if all of life, of life thriving and continuing, including but not limited to human life, were … Continue reading April 27, 2022 Minister’s Message
This week we explore our responsibility as a faith community to address a wounded world, including recognition of Earth Day and the UUA proposed 8th Principle. Rev. Rita preaching. This is an In Person & Zoom service. Our Zoom Worship Meeting opens at 10:10am, with informational slides at 10:20 and worship beginning at 10:30. There are … Continue reading Awake to the Woeful World-Option C and 8th Principle
May’s Second Collection recipient is the Living Earth Center (LEC). Their “Give to Grow Mankato Campaign” just kicked off on Earth Day. The Living Earth Center is a vital part of the Mankato community’s efforts toward educating on environmental justice issues and fighting food insecurity in our area. In addition to the community gardens … Continue reading 2nd Collection for May 2022
Here is my update for this week. It may not feel like spring, and many of us experience some disappointment with how cold, cloudy, and windy of an April we have been experiencing here in southern Minnesota, with just another week and a half to go until May! I just returned from a trip up … Continue reading CFD Director’s Message 4.20.22
