Delight despite it all

It is a delight to serve as the called minister here at UUFM. Thank you to all the members who participated in the May 7th Congregational Meeting to vote on the call. It was a momentous decision for the Fellowship, which has never had this kind of relationship with a minister before. I am excited to work with you to learn what this new form of ministry means for us.

As with many rites of passage and celebrations, delight is mixed with other emotions. I was not present for the discussion about the call, but I understand that several topics were raised about the past and future of the congregation. Though the vote was overwhelmingly affirmative, the energy was heavy in the room when I came in to say Yes. Clearly, we have many conversations ahead, questions to answer, and relationships to look after. I hope that while we listen deeply, respond constructively, and hold each other accountable, we can find joy and delight in the process.

When I gathered with the June Conveners to reflect on the theme of Delight, we all shared everyday examples, moment’s we’d lived through recently: enjoying the breeze on the porch, watching flowers bloom, playing fetch with a kitten, marveling at a bat’s echolocation to find her way out an open door. Delight is often a gentle experience, surprising us in the midst of everyday life. 

But we have to be surprisable. And I – for one – am not always surprisable. When I’m struggling to understand something or to be understood, or when I’m frustrated or sad or disappointed, I have less delight in my life. And, being a rather serious person, I’m often overwhelmed by the complexity of life. Community life in particular, with all the swirling needs and emotions, can disrupt my inner calm. Many people simply opt out of community life to avoid this experience. 

E.B. White captured the tension well:

I arise in the morning torn between the desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.

The new UUFM Board, which will be gathering for its first meeting next week, feels this tension too. We are excited to gather and enjoy each other’s company, but we know we have important and weighty work ahead. Already, the Executive Team has invested a lot of energy into clarifying some policies and procedures.In response to E.B. White’s quote, my intention for the month of June is to plan delight into our time together — as well as in my own personal life. My hunch is that enjoying the world is actually essential to improving the world. So I’m going to practice delight, earnestly choosing to allow it in. If you’re feeling the weight of the world (or just a chip) on your shoulder, perhaps you’d care to join me. If delight comes easily to you, show us the way!

There are many openings for shared delight practice during the beautiful month ahead. At the Sunday Service on June 4th, we’ll have a flower communion, delighting together in the profound celebration of color each spring. (Bring a flower to share if you have one – but no one turned away for lack of florals.) On June 18th, I know many of us will be celebrating dads — those marvelous men, some of them related to us — who help shape us. Perhaps there is a memory from your own life of being a dad, or being with a dad, that you can share with a friend. At Manhattan Juneteenth (June 15-17) and on June 19th, we’ll celebrate the liberation, resilience, beauty, and power of Black Americans with music, art, and delicious food. Let us immerse in the joy of people declaring “And Still We Stand, Strong, Loud and Proud,” this year’s theme.

I’ll be headed out of town immediately after Juneteenth to attend the UUA’s General Assembly in-person this year in Pittsburgh. Stay tuned for updates and news! I’ll be mostly offline from June 16-26 and June 30-July 3, but please reach out by phone with pastoral concerns.

With appreciation for the ways we work together
and also our shared delight,
Pastor Isa