“Sleep, sleep tonight, and may your dreams be realized. If the thunder cloud passes rain, so let it rain, rain down on him. Mmmm, so let it be...”
Thank goodness for the rain. Thank goodness for skies both blue and grey. Thank goodness for the trees bursting into their bright and glorious colors, reminding us to exhale in wonder and gratitude.
Last weekend, I was able to attend a reunion of people who worked at the same NH camp where I worked at age 16 and 17. It was a beautiful weekend, the people were full of positive camp spirit, and the place much unchanged despite the passing of four decades. The camp is in a “dark skies” area so the stars are bright and you can see the Milky Way. It is in the mountains so there is no cell service. It feels like a place belonging to simpler times. To wit: there is no heat in the cabins so it was cold getting out of our bunks when it was 27 degrees in the morning.
That was not enough to put a damper on our spirits. It was too beautiful. The privilege to disconnect for a weekend was deeply treasured. The instant community was comfortable and interesting, if temporary. The familiarity of camp felt like home.
A place like North Parish also offers us beauty, community, familiarity, a sense of home. But one reason why the congregation has lasted for 380 years has been its willingness to be challenged, to change and adapt. These days, the program staff are discerning how to respond to living in autocratic times when public schools and other organizations are being restricted and pluralism is under attack. Once a month, the kids are learning peaceful practices and the youth are engaging in an anti-oppression curriculum. There are two banned and inclusive book libraries for children and youth in the new wing. We are also trying to offer ways for adults to lean into mutual support, lament, joy, music, and skill building for safe public engagement. What do you think our priorities as a congregation should be right now?
Under normal circumstances, life can be challenging and anxiety-producing, which is why spiritual practices and religious community are so important. We are not living under normal circumstances, which makes these things all the more necessary. Thank goodness for all of you, good people- and for the folks taking to the streets.
Yours in longing for dark skies and simpler times but present here and now,
Rev. Lee
P.S. It’s not too late to sign up for the bus to Boston this Saturday in the Enews; word is we’re invited to wear yellow. (Yellow Side with Love t-shirts available at the UUA Bookstore: Apparel – inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop .)
