December 8, 2021
December 8, 2021
Let them come: the questions that draw you into rest, into dream.--Jan Richardson
Beloveds,
This noon, it is bright and sunny; the air is a little crisp, but nice; soon, I am sure, I will see a hawk gliding above the trees outside the window in my office, where I sit thinking of you, wondering how you are today, how you are planning to spend this holiday season (celebrating? waiting? enduring? scurrying? resting? wondering?), what words I can offer (oh, there’s the hawk, higher than usual) that might meet you right where you are. Really, what I’ve got is this: “Hello, I’m thinking of you. I hope you are well.”
I hope you will read today’s Eblast and explore all the articles; congregational and community life is picking up and you have many options for connecting in the next few weeks.
I hope you’ll consider joining (or continuing to join) us for worship on Zoom or in person (if you feel safe to do so). If you (like me) feel better connected when you have a role or task during gatherings, please email me--I’ll bet we can find just the right way for you to contribute!
If you’re craving more connection with Unitarian Universalism beyond our congregation, this weekend's Compass--Navigating the Paths to Liberation Together, offered by our Southern Region staff, looks really nourishing. Please consider joining this online experience. (If the cost is prohibitive for you, please let me know.)
Reminder: Christmas Eve service at 4 p.m. on Dec. 24--in the sanctuary and on Zoom. We will share music and stories and the joy of being present with each other.
Finally, I hope you will find some time this season, among all your options for celebrating light and joy, to appreciate also the cold, dark, quiet hours, to rest, to be truly present to yourself and your loved ones, to listen to the questions swirling around, among, and within us all.
Blessing the Questions
by Jan Richardson
Let them come:
the questions
that storm through
the crack in the world.
Let them come:
the questions
that crawl through
the hole in your heart.
Let them come:
the questions
in anguish,
the questions
in tears.
Let them come:
the questions that whisper themselves
so slow,
the questions
that arrive with
breathtaking speed,
the questions
that never entirely leave,
the questions
that bring
more questions still.
Let them come:
the questions
that haunt you
in shadowy hours,
the questions
that visit
in deepest night,
the questions
that draw you
into rest,
into dream.
the questions
that stir
the wakening
world.
Rest and be well, my friends.
Yours in darkness and hope,
Rev. Denise
Rev. Denise Gyauch
Minister, Greater Nashville UU Congregation
RevDenise @ gnuuc.org