I have a lot on my mind today, as many events collide this week: the Derek Chauvin trial verdict, Earth Day, the GLSEN Day of Silence + Breaking the Silence events, and more, after a week of much violence and unrest in the world. We have witnessed police killing more young people of color, on top of knowing that we are in our sixth consecutive week of mass shootings in this country. To write that it is overwhelming feels like an understatement.
Finding the right words in this time is difficult, as collectively we are experiencing so much. Yet, I am grateful for the way that people have showed up to care for one another, to grieve losses, to cultivate hope, and to make our voices heard. May we continue to have the hard conversations and show up whenever we can where it matters most to us. While sometimes we must let others take the lead, I pray that we all have a strong inner compass during these times and always, as we become more loving and humble relatives to one another.
In the words of Howard Thurman, “There are two questions that a person must ask themselves. The first is “Where am I going?” and the second is “Who will go with me?” If you ever get these questions in the wrong order, you are in trouble.”
Wishing you all moments of peace this week. I am here for you, just an email or a phone call away. While I am no longer holding virtual “office hours”, you can reach me on my personal phone at 507-995-7929 or by email at cfddirector@uumankato.org . If I do not answer, I encourage you to send a text or leave a voicemail. Currently, I am available for daytime meetings on Mondays, Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. I also do have availability most other weekday evenings. I will continue to do my best to serve as a resource to our community, through connecting you to one another and of course, directly. Being a light in the lives of others is as important as ever, and I hope you will stay connected.
Macey Forsyth
Please consider joining our private Facebook group: UUFM Children’s Faith Development (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1404655806251029/). This group is intended for families and congregants who are involved in Children’s Faith Development. My approval of new members’ access to the information there is what makes the group a safe space for sharing. I will be sharing our weekly stories as Facebook videos on my personal page publicly and sharing them in the group, as well as short prayers and meditations.
Link to the stories: Our virtual Stories for All Ages are now available on the UUFM YouTube Channel. At least one new story will be available by Sunday, each week.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNwWkbABO6HpDlw5Po2TdQA?view_as=subscriber
Youth Group: Our Youth Group meets tonight, Wednesday, April 21st, from 6:30-8pm with graduate students from MSU for an LGBTQA+ Panel.
Virtual Children’s Chapel: Our next Children’s Chapel will be held next Sunday, April 25th, from 11:30am-12:30pm with Danielle and Macey. For our last session on the theme of Becoming, we will focus on becoming better allies to our LGBTQA+ siblings.