“Healing is long, continuous, heartbreaking work that over time, results in the capacity to experience resiliency, which I feel energetically as buoyancy, or the ability to ride the suffering and not get swallowed in it.” – Lama Rod Owens

Celebrating the month of Healing…

It was no surprise to many of us that we received new COVID-19 guidelines from the Governor of Minnesota yesterday. With rising case numbers, this encouragement to make responsible decisions for community health was to be expected. With that said, I imagine that the rising numbers and shifting restrictions bring other concerns to the hearts of many, especially when it comes to education, childcare, and financial concerns. I recognize that there is no easy answer or fix to what many are feeling, and it is my belief that in these times, having personal tools to take care of our spirits is essential.

One note I have had posted up on my fridge for months now is Francis Weller’s guidance for responding to overwhelm: practicing self-compassion, turning toward our feelings, being astonished by beauty, and having patience. The article he wrote, which I discovered this summer, was originally written in response to the Northern California wildfires of 2017. However, I believe it remains relevant today: https://www.francisweller.net/a-trail-on-the-ground/everything-is-burning

I invite you to take a few minutes to read it, then consider what one practice you might adopt today to tend to your heart. Whether or not you are experiencing overwhelm now, what you practice may become a tool to carry with you when circumstances do become hard.

I am 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.

Thank you,
Macey Forsyth

Youth Group

Our Youth Group meets next this Sunday, November 15^th from 11:30am-12:30pm with Barb and Lee, and again on Wednesday, November 18^th from 6:30-8pm. Each meeting will consist of a check-in and some reflection theme of Healing. On Wednesday, we will spend the last half of our meeting playing a game together, per usual. As always, Zoom info will be found via email and on our private Facebook group.

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

Virtual Children’s Chapel

Our Children’s Chapel will meet next via Zoom on Sunday, November 22nd, at 11:30am via Zoom with Danielle and Macey. This is the day that we celebrate Bread Communion remotely, and we will reflect on the healing that practicing gratitude brings. A reminder with the Zoom info will be sent via email and posted in our private Facebook group.