david

Singing Together on the Eve of Change, 1/19

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Come join Audrey Perkins, Mark Weiss and Cliff and Chere Pereira for an hour of singing together starting at 7 PM on Sunday, January 19th, the eve of inauguration day.

We will share familiar and not-so-familiar songs of resilience, justice and peace. Come feel the energy and comfort that comes from joining together in song. Some lyrics will be provided. Knowing that there lots of winter germs around, masks are welcome, although they are not required.

Masks will be available for those that need one.

Daily Practice – A Weekly Reminder

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I wrote this piece two years ago, at this exact time of year. It is helpful to me to re-read it. May it be helpful to you as well, in these early days of January 2025.

Years ago, I always started the morning listening to news. It seemed then the most prudent thing to do –- to know what was happening. It helped me feel secure in some way, and smart, and capable, as if it was a necessity for navigating the world, and for being recognized as an adult. Somewhere along the way, I stopped listening – I don’t remember exactly when or why. In some way I realized that “the news” was always the same – it was a very very small representation of what humans were doing from day to day. It was never the whole story.

Slowly I came to understand that there is news beyond the news – news before the news – that is much more important for me. It is the daily recognition of being alive and of being part of an infinite web of life. It is the daily presence of awareness, and an awareness of presence, which coincide with gratitude.

The news of the day in early January often begins with this: the tops of the hills are appearing and disappearing as clouds and fog slowly drift. There is a pink tinge above and suddenly a huge flock of geese in several interchanging “V”s moving across. Small patches of blue sky, and the bare branches of trees in clear and intricate detail. The tops of the hills appear again and both gold and pink light emerge in the fog around them. The air is cold and clean and heavily moist. It is within me and around me, in constant life-giving motion. I am breathing, being breathed, and amazed again to be both here and now.

Thomas Merton once wrote “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.” Embrace is the appropriate word for me this morning – and there is too much for my small embrace, but I open my arms wide nonetheless. With courage, faith and hope comes joy. And that’s more than enough news.

Magic Flute Pre-School Moves Into Social Hall January 6

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With the classroom wing renovation about to begin in a couple of weeks, the Magic Flute Pre-School will move into their temporary home in our Social Hall and Kitchen, on weekdays from 7:30 AM to 5 PM, beginning Monday January 6. During these hours, the pre-school has priority use of these spaces. Fellowship individuals, groups and meetings will not have access to the Social Hall or to the kitchen during these times. If you are part of a group that likes to use the coffee/tea supplies, please now plan to bring your own drinks / containers to meetings.
If you are part of a group that plans to use the Sanctuary or Foyer during these hours, please be aware that we will do all we can to not disturb the pre-school. All of this sharing is temporary, for the duration of the work in the classroom wing. Please do your part to help make the sharing time successful!

Classroom Wing Move-out Continues

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The first moving day was Jan. 4; much of the classroom wing furniture and packed boxes were moved to storage at a commercial facility and in the homes /sheds of Fellowship members and friends. Help is still welcomed – the second and final moving day is Saturday Jan. 11. Some demolition projects are still also underway. Sign up on the volunteer sheets in the Foyer if you haven’ t already done so, or find Wolfgang Dengler or Brian Egan.

Lost and Found – Check It Out!

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Things accumulate at the Fellowship – jackets and water bottles, dishes and containers, books, shoes (?), jewelry and more. Every other month or so, we pull out the Lost and Found for all to see, with hope that some of the lost items are reclaimed. What isn’t claimed is usually donated. Please check the tables this Sunday in the foyer.

Leadership Supper, 1/30

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Thursday Jan. 30, 6:30 PM
All leaders of teams, councils, committees, events, task forces, plus Board members and all others who are interested in leadership at the Fellowship, are invited by the Committee on Ministry to join once again for a Leadership Supper. A simple supper is provided and we’ll spend time connecting with each other about our shared ministry, especially emerging needs due to the state of the country and the world. Please plan now to join us!

“Why Religion Matters, Now” 1/5/25

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Though arbitrary in many ways – calendars are human creations- the beginning of this new year feels momentous. Certainly we are called to continue to be present to the world in ever more careful and effective ways. As always, this kind of presence requires strengths and courage which come from being grounded and centered.

This first Sunday in January is a good time to remind ourselves of the meanings of religion, spirituality, grounded-ness, and centering.

With Rev. Jill McAllister

Between Us

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This year as the calendar moves toward its end and new beginning, I’m feeling watchful, alert, and sometimes a little on edge. I don’t think I’m the only one feeling the edge. I’ve experienced more crankiness from other people, and outright meanness – mostly from people I don’t know – in the past few weeks than in any other holiday season I can remember. I’m not surprised; we live in such trying times. But a sadness has come close to me, so I’m trying to learn from it what I can.

There is plenty to worry about, and to fear. That has always been true – and always more true for some people than for others. We humans make it hard for each other, and for all the other living things. We always have. Wise teachers of all cultures say it is because we are lost, we have forgotten, or we cannot see what is most important and closest to us, so in fear we grab and push and destroy. And yet, and yet – even now, love is present: it is holding and helping and healing so much that is broken within us and between us. And this has always also been true.

So I am letting myself be watchful and alert and I am giving attention to the edge and the sadness, while at the same time I am constantly considering how love is holding me and how I can help it move in as many ways and directions as possible. More and more I come to understand and appreciate the feeling of “love at the center” as a way of describing congregational and covenantal life – the life of the Fellowship. For the beginning of a new year – this new year in particular – this is the center I am leaning into, and leaning on. And you are part of it, and for that I am grateful!