From the minister:
A Month of Caring
“We are a diverse community of caring individuals” begins
the mission statement of the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
of Ames. That statement says a great deal about our past,
what we strive to be in the present, and how we wish to
shape our future. When the Fellowship was much smaller,
it was easier to live up to the ideals of being a caring
community. Now, we have to be very intentional if we wish
to do so. To highlight why we are a caring community and
how we seek to fulfill that calling, October is Caring
Month at the Fellowship. This doesn’t mean that we
cannot care the other 11 months of the year but, instead,
that October is a month for us to reflect on and refine
the means of providing caring to the congregation and our
larger community.
While caring is an attitude, more importantly, it is
an action. It’s what we do. It’s how we strive
to relate to one another. This month, we’ll explore
caring from a variety of perspectives, both theological
and practical. (And, of course, the best theology is
always practical.) The most important practical component
is on page 7 of this newsletter: a signup form for our
Caring Ministries team.
As a Fellowship, caring for one another is an extremely
important theological component of the community we create.
It is an embodiment of the Fellowship ideal and a way
of showing our compassion. However, it is also a learning
process, which means that we make mistakes. I, as minister,
and we, as a Fellowship, have missed opportunities to
live up to our ideals. All we can ask in such instances
is forgiveness and a chance to learn and try again.
This month of caring is part of our learning process.
As a Fellowship with each member involved in the envisioning,
creation, and nurturing of our community, each one of
us has a part to play in caring. The question is: How
do we provide such opportunities? Here is where the practical
piece becomes important. The signup form, also available
online and on Sunday mornings during this month, provides
you the chance to be part of the caring ministry of the
Fellowship. Each of us have a means to be involved – some
in leadership roles, some in doing the tasks of caring.
Without you, there is no caring ministry.
From the sharing of milestones to the meals at the emergency
residence project to our environmental programs – each
is a way we show our caring, for all beings and for the
earth itself. Join us in seeking to learn and live out
this important theological and practical ideal.
See you on Sundays,
-- Brian |
Sunday, October 7, 9 & 11 a.m.
A Theology of Caring
the Rev. Brian Eslinger
Many religions have specific expressions of caring as part of their
theological underpinnings. Modern science is also showing that there may well be an
evolutionary component to caring. We’ll explore how both the beliefs and the science
have helped human beings create caring communities.
New Member Sunday
Special Music: Fellowship Voices
Sunday, October 14, 9 & 11 a.m.
Doing unto Others:
Caring and the Community
the Rev. Brian Eslinger and the Caring Ministries
Team
What does it mean to be a caring community?
How do we strive to make this idea real in our lives and
in our community? What kind of difference can such a ministry
make in our religious community and in the larger community?
Many questions help us create the answers.
Sunday, October 21, 9 & 11 a.m.
Self-Fullness
Jean Marie Marsten
As we explore the meaning of caring community, we’ll
take a look at social action, burn-out, and bringing ourselves fully
to our callings.
Special Music: Larry Burkhalter & Paula Forrest
Sunday, October 28, 9 & 11 a.m.
Turning the Wheel of the Year:
Turning Toward the Earth
the Rev. Brian Eslinger
During this season of the year, generations past would mark
the ending of their calendars with ceremonies and stories. These events marked
a time of reflection and celebration for the gifts of nature and a reverence
for that bounty. How might a year ritually rooted in the cycles of nature affect
our relationship to our planet?
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