Recently I have felt caught between moments of despair and a fierce persistent hope in humanity. It seems that there are two things happening simultaneously in our world.
There is the movement away from compassion seen, for instance, in the severe life-threatening cuts to healthcare, housing, and human services of a cruel and immoral federal budget; in growing distrust and acts of terror and violence; in attacks against our immigrant, trans, gay, queer, disabled and neurodivergent family.
And there is, at the same time, a grassroots movement of compassion: people growing connections across the lines of difference; neighbors providing for one another through mutual aid; communities showing up to demand a deeper justice in the public square.
October in UUC Community invites us to cultivate compassion by connecting with those closest to us, and expanding our circle of love even further beyond. We are invited to open our hearts, our minds, and our spirits by caring for one another and serving needs larger than our own, and by speaking out courageously for the love our world so desperately needs.
We are also invited to learn and grow through embracing many perspectives as we honor a diversity of holidays together in Worship and Religious education: the Feast Day of Catholic saint, Francis of Assisi; the Jewish holidays of Yom Kippur and Sukkot; the honoring of Indigenous People’s Day ; the celebration of Diwali- The Hindu Festival of Lights; the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Mexican Dios de Los Muertos.
Let us continue to learn and grow in compassion together. I am grateful to share this journey with all of you.
In peace,
Rev. Terri
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Next week I will be available for pastoral visits and counseling Sunday, October 5th, Monday, October 6th, and Wednesday, October 8th. Please schedule an appointment with me in advance via my calendly. I can meet by phone or zoom on other calendered days. You are all invited to join me in the Community Room for lunch on Monday, October 6th at 12:30 PM (bring your own lunch and something to share). RSVP to minister@uucstamford.org
