“The heart enjoys experiencing the liberating feeling of compassion; it expands and glows, as if beaming its own sun upon the world. That is the warmth our cooling emotional world so desperately needs to preserve its humanity. It is this savoring of the nature of impersonal love that lets the peacemakers of the world do … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 10.8.25

“If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” -Jack Kornfield I recently heard this story of the Dalai Lama being interviewed in the 1990s (https://onbeing.org/blog/the-self-hatred-within-us/), and it describes the confusion he felt in response to the idea that not only could people hate themselves, but that it was sensed as a common experiences. … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 10.1.25

“Here is the question we must at last confront: Is land merely a source of belongings, or is it the source of our most profound sense of belonging? We can choose” -Robin Wall Kimmerer This past Saturday, I had the opportunity to guide a yoga practice for my first time at a place that holds … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 9.24.25

“Right now, the world you are inheriting is locked in a struggle between love and fear. Fear manifests as anger, insecurity, and loneliness. Fear eats away at our society, leaving all of us less whole, so we teach you that every healthy relationship inspires love, not fear. Love shows up as kindness, generosity, and compassion. … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 9.17.25

“One of the most important things you can do on this earth is to let people know they are not alone.” – Shannon L. Alder As we kick off the church year and the monthly theme of Building Belonging, we celebrate with Ingathering, our Backpack Blessing ceremony, and a time for young adults to connect … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 9.3.25

“I was so shocked to learn that the opposite of belonging is fitting in. Because fitting in is assessing a group of people and changing who you are. But true belonging never asks us to change who we are. It demands we be who we are.” -Brené Brown I am eager and grateful to be … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 8.27.25

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 … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 8.20.25

“Swimming, One Day in August” by Mary Oliver It is time now, I said, for the deepening and quieting of the spirit among the flux of happenings. Something had pestered me so much I thought my heart would break. I mean, the mechanical part. I went down in the afternoon to the sea which held … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 8.13.25

The following is a poem I wrote and shared for the first time at the conclusion of this past Sunday’s service: In Their Own Time and Space There is a stillness beneath the ordinary. A rhythm, ancient and unnamed, that dares to move slower. It is the breath of a child gathering courage before speaking. … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 8.6.25

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 … Continue reading Director of Lifespan Faith Formation 7.23.25