Minister's Letter
This is my simple religion.
There is no temple, no need for complicated philosophy.
Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
~The Dalai Lama
Dear Folks,
Welcome to July and to a great month of services–even though we continue to practice our religion beyond the confines of bricks and mortar.
Our first Sunday of the month was our first interactive service, and it was also a day of “Bridging” to adulthood for Cady, Emma, and Sophia, our high school graduates. If you missed that or any service, you may view it on our website.
On that same day, we acknowledged (until we can celebrate more appropriately in person) the one-year anniversary of Kaarin Record Leach being our Director of Music here at PUUC! If you haven’t yet, please send her a note of congratulations or “Happy Anniversary” to acknowledge this milestone. We are blessed beyond measure to have Kaarin as part of our team.
That first Sunday of July was cause for celebration; yet, there were mixed emotions as we said farewell to our Ministerial Intern, Holly Brown, who will be away during July and August. We look forward to Holly’s return for our annual Blessing of the Backpacks at the end of August and for the second half of Holly’s internship with us.
Our bridgers were given some gifts which included a book, a UU charm, colorful UU socks (you have a pair of those, right?), and a bookmark.
I’d like to share the text on the bookmark which comes from The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom by Miguel Angel Ruiz, M.D.
These admonitions will serve us well not only as individuals (at any age, any stage!) but also as members of Beloved Community if we take them to heart:
- Be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using words to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.
- Don’t take anything personally. Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.
- Don’t Make Assumptions. Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness, and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.
- Always do your best. Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstances, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.
May these bits of wisdom remain a way of life for our Bridgers as they head off to college and for all of us as we seek to use the power of our words “in the direction of truth and love.”
Blessed be,
~Rev. Mary Frances
