It makes sense to me that our collaborators at Soul Matters chose Vulnerability to follow February’s theme of Love. To love deeply and truly is to make ourselves vulnerable. Since love is the center of our theology, there’s really no way around it. Whether it is a private conversation we have with someone who shares our interest or needs an encouraging word or a public conversation during a meeting, we take a risk when we reach out to others. Do they like us? Do they agree? Are we being helpful?

As an ambivert (a mixed introvert and extrovert), my favorite kind of connection is one-on-one. Groups are challenging for me unless I have a clear role. One of the most terrifying things about ministry, I’ve found, is connecting spontaneously with someone in front of others. But much of my job is “learning in public,” like when I speak during board meetings or read someone’s handwriting on a joy or sorrow from the pulpit. I’m trying to embrace being a fool sometimes. If we’re going to move forward together, we have to risk being imperfect, saying something awkwardly, and being loved anyways. Or, at least that’s what I tell myself! 

In this community of communities, you can explore different settings for connection. This month, I strongly encourage you to wonder how you might play a role in our Sunday Services. After the service on March 12th, please stay for the Sunday Services Workshop. Sarah Desmet, Rob Morrison, and I will be describing how we currently plan our Sunday Services and taking suggestions for new ways of doing it. We’ll let you know the upcoming themes and then break into small groups to brainstorm ideas for future services. I’ll ask volunteers to try reading a poem from the pulpit — this will be optional, but fun!

The primary focus at UUFM this month is our stewardship campaign. Please watch our board chair Amy Betz’s video (linked in the newsletter) for a beautiful invitation to participate. Talking about money is hard, but it turns out, you don’t disappear into a poof of smoke if you give it a try. Thank you, Amy, for modeling both generosity and vulnerability in your video. And thank you Judy Nickelson, stewardship chair, for your willingness to reach out one-on-one to those who would like to have these conversations.

In your day-to-day lives this month, keep an eye out for the tender truths of the people around you. We are all unique soft squishy imperfect creatures, doing the best we can with the resources we have. 

Love,
Pastor Isa

Contact Rev. Dr. Isabel Call at pastor@uufm.net. You can schedule a meeting with her or call or text her at 785 748-2533.