Apr. 17, 2024
"Anytime in my life when I have managed to go from a vision to a reality, the vision has not been a plan but a practice. In other words, what matters is not having a vision, but rather making a habit of returning to and revising the vision. … As new information arrives, the vision gets updated. The dream becomes more crystallized over time. It's a habit of thinking about where you want to go with an ever-increasing degree of clarity.
You do not need a vision, you need the practice of envisioning."
–James Clear
Beloveds–
In case you haven’t heard, it’s pledge season, that annual ritual by which we assess our resources collectively and individually and make plans for our future, specifically for the church year which will run from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025. I hope you will read the message from our Stewardship Chair below and join this shared practice of envisioning by filling out the online pledge form, letting the Finance Team know about the financial support you would like to provide for GNUUC’s commitment to embody compassion, integrity, and respect by working together for justice, equity, and compassion. If you have questions or would like support in discernment, please reach out to me or Jesse Spencer-Smith or any of your GNUUC friends. (Culturally, we shy away from talking about money, but we all know about money, and talking about it can be a powerful practice of envisioning!)
Some other opportunities to engage the practice of envisioning:
The UUA is offering a hybrid (Zoom + several live gatherings across the Eastern and Southern US) conference on Saturday, April 27 entitled “Building Beloved Community: Beyond the Binary.” First UU Nashville is one of the in-person locations; I plan to attend and hope some of you will join me. The registration deadline is Sat. 4/20; the cost is very reasonable (GNUUC can help if needed) & includes lunch. More information here.
I am starting a series of monthly Listening Circles, open to all, during which we will sit in a circle and engage with one or more carefully-crafted questions, speaking from our hearts and listening deeply to each other. Who knows what may crystallize among us?! The first circle will convene this Sunday (April 21) around 1 pm (or whenever we’re done eating).
Yours in envisioning and love (always the love),
Rev. Denise
RevDenise@gnuuc.org