The mutuality of deep listening Most mornings, I spend about 15 minutes on the phone with my Seattle friend Erin. This rhythm of mutual listening gives us compassionate accountability for setting intentions each day – and keeping them. Over the past few months, Erin has been intentional about swimming in the lake near her home, … Continue reading Note from Pastor Isa – October 2024
“meet them at the door laughing, and invite them in” As I sat down to reflect on our monthly theme of Invitation, I immediately thought of the poem Guest House. Coleman Barks wrote the poem in the 1960s, inspired by a much longer text by the 13th century jurist, Islamic scholar, theologian, and Sufi mystic … Continue reading Note from Pastor Isa – September 2024
I emailed the following letter out on July 4th and received beautiful responses. I share people’s response below. Dear hearts, I’ve heard from several of you that the state of our nation and the world weighs heavily on you. I’ve heard the word despair. I feel it in my friend, collegial, and support circles as … Continue reading A Note from Pastor Isa – bonus July 2024
All Kinds of Justice The 18th century Rabbi Elijah of Vilna wrote that “What we create becomes meaningful to us only once we stop creating it and start to think about why we did so.” In addition to thinking, let’s also feel the impact of our creative actions. In order to engage this practice, I’ll … Continue reading A Note from Pastor Isa – July 2024
Renewal As a community, we were renewed on May 4th at the Initiation of Called Ministry and Installation of Yours Truly. It was an afternoon like no other: a ritual and a party, profound and playful. Many UUFM members have told me it truly “felt like us.” My family and friends said “it was so … Continue reading A Note from Pastor Isa – June 2024
Pluralism as play In the picture book A Common Thirst by Gary Boelhower, a mixed group of kids and lambs playing together during a devastating drought uncover a solution that saves their communities. Though the adult goats and sheep had previously sought help from each other, they had given up on any interspecies relationship when … Continue reading A Note from Pastor Isa – May 2024
Choosing interdependence Our Soul Matters themes this year are following the values articulated in the UUA bylaws proposal: generosity, justice, equity, pluralism (next month), transformation (last month), and this month interdependence. What’s different about March and April is that these values are not just practices but core truths: whether we like it or not, whether … Continue reading A Note from Pastor Isa – April 2024
To transform and to be transformed What is the difference between a human being and a flower being? Flowers are born, blossom, and fade just like us. Like us, they influence the world around them and live on in the ecosystem even after they die. But we have a different kind of consciousness and agency. … Continue reading A Note from Pastor Isa – March 2024
In many UU congregations, ministers of color can preach about racism no more than twice a year before they are criticized for being “hyperfocused on race.” When I heard this in seminary, I resolved to mention racism in every single sermon. It was a way to use my white privilege to change the norm — … Continue reading A Note from Pastor Isa – February 2024
The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame and sorrow occlude our own light from our view but … Continue reading A Note from Pastor Isa – January 2024
