Greetings Church Family,
I send you and yours much love this December. Amid all the bustle that this season surrounds us with, I pray that you can look to church as a guide and anchoring place. In days such as these I am ever grateful for this spiritual community.
This month’s worship theme is the Path of Wonder. The story of Jesus’ birth and the rich symbolism it offers, set against the backdrop of the Winter Solstice and its changing light, embodies this well. Personally, I have found that awe often strikes when I disrupt the rote and try standing at a different angle. Trying on new things (or ideas!), can absolutely land us in transformative places of wonder, don’t you think? And that’s the invitation this season. Where might you push yourself out of your comfort zone, if only just a little bit, so as to be open to the wonder-ful?
Maybe you will come to one of our Evening Vespers services for the first time, or join us for a heartfelt, honest conversation about your experience with religious education, or come to church in person some Sunday if you can. You might consider attending our Winter Solstice service, or volunteering to help with our Christmas Pageant, or joining my after-worship reflection group The Heart of the Matter. Maybe you will dust off your holiday swag and come to the Christmas Eve service, or commit yourself to one the wonderful justice initiatives in our community. Maybe you will simply share a Joy or Sorrow in worship service for the first time. Or tell someone how you are really doing when you see them.
There are countless ways to cultivate Wonder in our lives, and we hope you will share some of your experiences with us, as well as keep at seeking them out!
Thank you for all the good you bring to the world. And thank you for being the greatest of companions in our search for meaning, love and wonder. I am so grateful to be on this journey with you.
Yours in faith and love,
Rev. Sophia
Reverend Sophia Lyons
Rev. Sophia is committed to radical welcome and spreading the good news that is our bold Unitarian Universalist faith. Some of her areas of interest include interfaith partnerships, addictions ministry, spiritual direction, and working towards collective liberation for all. Rev. Sophia aspires to live her life and fulfill her ministry guided by spiritual seeking, big love, and the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism.