“Stories can save us. Stories enable us to see others as worthy of love, and therefore worth fighting for. Everyone has a story. Which story have you yet to tell? Whose story have you yet to hear?” – Valarie Kaur Recently, in both Children’s Chapel and Youth Group, we explored the theme of Cultivating Relationship through some … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 10.20.21
“Empathy has no script. There is no right way or wrong way to do it. It’s simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of ‘You’re not alone.’” -Brenè Brown This past August, I had the privilege of attending an Our Whole Lives training in Minneapolis, where I was … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 10.13.21
Dear friends, Monday, October 11 was National Coming Out Day, a time of celebration and of proclaiming out loud for our LGBT and Queer siblings. So glad that those of you out and coming out feel safe enough and loved enough (including by yourself) to be your full authentic selves. I celebrate you, and I … Continue reading October 13, 2021 Minister’s Message
Our monthly Soul Matters theme for October is Cultivating Relationships, and I found the following words from Carl Jung touching in times like these: “Loneliness does not come from having no people around, but from being unable to communicate the things that seem important to oneself, or from holding certain views which others find inadmissible.” … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 10.06.21
Dear Friends, As you read, I have just returned from a Chapter Retreat with my ministerial colleagues. It is a chance to move out of ordinary time and ordinary obligations and responsibilities to a brief time of contemplation, commiseration, and learning. It is an opportunity for me to connect with friends and build stronger relationships. … Continue reading October 6, 2021 Minister’s Message
Dear Friends, I offer you this week a beautiful poem by Lucille Clifton called the “Blessing the Boats.” May it lift you as the stream of life takes you on your journey, where sometimes you steer and paddle and sometimes the tides and currents are all that keeps you moving. may the tide that is … Continue reading September 29, 2021 Minister’s Message
“For a seed to achieve its greatest expression, it must come completely undone. The shell cracks, its insides come out, and everything changes. To someone who doesn’t understand growth, it would look like complete destruction.” Heather Warman As we conclude the month of Embracing Possibility, I reflect on the words above. Today, if you are feeling … Continue reading CDF Director’s Corner 09.29.21
The Board met yesterday, September 21, 2021, for a special session to discuss plans for re-opening the Fellowship. As you are aware, COVID rates and hospitalization continue to climb in the Mankato region. The Board has voted, however, effective October 1, to allow small groups of 10 or fewer people to gather on the main … Continue reading Board President Message 09.22.21
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.”—George Eliot More than a decade ago, a colleague gave me a fancy bookmark with this quotation. I was struggling with my then-vocation, wondering if I had the stamina to stick it out until retiring, hoping I had enough creativity to remain a dedicated … Continue reading September 22, 2021 Minister’s Message
“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” – George Eliot During my last years of high school, I recall someone speaking to my class regarding college and other post-high school options. The one metaphor I can clearly recall this person making was about doors. They told us that it was … Continue reading CFD Director’s Corner 09.22.21
