First Church in Barre, Universalist

Message from the Minister

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” ~ Margaret Mead

Dear Friends,

It’s my privilege to serve as half-time, consulting minister for the First Church in Barre – Universalist. As I begin this work with You, I’m making the commitment to do three things and asked the congregation to do the same.

First, I ask that we commit to treating each other with respect. This includes respectful listening. When we get comfortable with folks, we often stop really attending. Learning to be present is key for an authentic relationship. And what happens when we do pay attention and hear things with which we disagree? We learn to be stretched and to keep the heart open. In the words of Unitarian Francis David, “We need not all think alike to love alike.” Spiritual growth happens, not in coercion and abrasiveness, but in a conducive environment of respect and love.

The second thing that I promise and ask the congregation to do also, is that we stay at the table. Given that we’re human beings, we will disappoint and hurt each other. It’s the reality of our imperfect nature. The only way to have authentic community is to stay at the table when these things happen. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind.” This is the work of forgiveness and reconciliation without which true community (and world peace) is not possible.

The final thing that I promise and ask folks also to commit to, is that we pay attention to our spiritual lives. We live in an era when the spiritual is treated disrespectfully by some sectors. Yet, the spirit is the wellspring of our lives. Perhaps Amma says it best. “We can no longer afford to delay the discovery of and strengthen our most powerful weapon, our spirituality.” Without due attention to this essential part of ourselves, life is an overwhelming, meaningless array of activities and obligations -- perhaps even burdensome and joyless. Eventually we wither (or become addicts). In community, we affirm the importance of the spirit. We learn to nourish ourselves and each other with spiritual food that is authentic for each person (not somebody else’s idea but what You come to know actually strengthens You). For most of us, this means learning to slow down and become still. In doing this we find spiritual grounding and strength we didn’t even know we had.

I opened by saying that it’s my privilege to serve this congregation. I believe that building religious community is a sacred process. I hope that we have many opportunities together this year to grow in harmony and love; to support each other in joys and in hardships; to challenge each other to think again; to go deeper and align our convictions and our actions; to root ourselves in the wisdom of the world’s religions and sacred traditions; to share aha moments together in the sanctuary, out in nature, at a potluck, during a class, or in a concert; to sing, and sit, and wait, and laugh and talk and cry together. This is the stuff of congregational life. It’s utterly ordinary …and it’s sacred. It’s the work of spiritual community - learning to be together with awareness, respect, commitment and intention. This is love in action -- the Universalist message, “God is love.” I’m grateful to participate in this sacred, co-creative process of bringing the Kingdom/Queendom of Love to Earth. See You at Church!
Warmly,
Rev. M’ellen Kennedy