Moving from Stillness to Imagination…

It is almost 2021, and this transition from December to January begs us to take a collective pause, an exhale. Many may take time to note how the last several months have influenced our identities, our culture. This might inform people of some ideas, hopes, and goals for the new year. It takes a sense of where we have been and where we are going before we move forward. Our monthly themes feel timely and appropriate to me, as I consider what kind of work I would like to accomplish in the coming year and how that work might take shape.

It is said that, on average, a person thinks somewhere around 6200 thoughts per day. I have found that, to cultivate greater focus and awareness, I need to pause to document what is beneath the surface of those transient thoughts or dreams. When I am getting it out on paper, my mind somehow feels less cluttered. I am finding out more and more, as I have been tending to my creativity, how practicing stillness (at least a slowness) can pull a lot out of our imaginations.

Has your family practiced any reflective or imaginative New Year rituals? While I did not grow up with any consistent ritual around New Years that felt particularly meaningful to me, this year feels like a good time to begin. I hope that you and your family ground and connect through the transition and beyond this wild year. May what you imagine in the coming month bring hope and energy to build back the world to be more beautiful, just, inclusive, hopeful, sustainable, and even thriving. I pray that we all know how our individual actions matter, as we make collective, impactful change together.

Please know that 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.

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 will be meeting next on Wednesday, January 6^th at 6:30pm, with Barb and Macey. As always, more details and Zoom info will be posted to our private Facebook group and sent out via email.

Virtual Children’s Chapel

Our next Children’s Chapel date will be held on Sunday, January 10^th at 11:30am. We will explore the January theme of Imagination with Deb and Macey. As always, more details and Zoom info will be posted to our private Facebook group and sent out via email.