“Each person deserves a day away in which no problems are confronted, no solutions searched for. Each of us needs to withdraw from the cares which will not withdraw from us.” -Maya Angelou

Prioritizing and valuing presence over productivity is not only sustaining for us, but also essential to the way we belong to ourselves and in community. It keeps us grounded and connected, even (or perhaps especially) when the overwhelm of a growing to-do list must be set aside.

Practicing presence and taking time for non-productive leisure, whether it is meditation, outdoor recreation, or connecting with a friend, even when there is a pressure to get ahead, can be a form of resisting a damaging, capitalist culture.

Jenny Odell write in her book How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy:
“In a situation where every waking moment has become the time in which we make our living, and when we submit even our leisure for numerical evaluation via likes on Facebook and Instagram… time becomes an economic resource that we can no longer justify spending on “nothing.”

I hope that this month and always, you are renewed and supported in making time to be present. I deeply pray there is comfort and trust found in our community and interconnected web. May you recognize what we need and release the excess, to create space for what matters to our souls. May you know peace.

Children’s Chapel will continue through the summer, and nursery care availability will depend on whether or not we are able to keep that space staffed. However, we will combine age groups when it is possible and accomodate families to the best of our abilities.

Next Wednesday, June 12th, from 6:30-8pm, Deb and I plan to host our June art journaling session before I take a little stretch of time off. RSVP at the link below:

https://uufm.breezechms.com/form/6482e99493

This June-August, we are pausing our monthly hiking group on Saturdays. However, we are looking forward to hosting other intergenerational Sunday activities, such as creative, sustainable projects and outdoor activities, starting on Sunday, July 14th. Keep an eye out for more upcoming news on that.