Every Tuesday your staff team meets, and whenever we stand at the precipice of a new month’s theme, we make extra time to consider how it might inform and guide our work. I’m deeply grateful for this staff team. I learn so much from them and feel blessed to have such stellar partners in ministry. This month’s theme of Courage really spoke to us, and Rev. Kyle and Charlyn have offered some beautiful reflections on it in this newsletter.
Courage, to me, speaks to ‘heart.’ This is the etymological root of the word courage for cœur, in french, translates to ‘heart.’ I’ve learned that being brave and taking risks, despite being unsure about what’s ahead, requires listening to my heart. I can access it when I take slow walks in nature, or quiet down, breathe, and plant myself in the present. From this still place I tend to know what I need to courageously say ‘yes’ to, and what I need to courageously say ‘no’ to.
This is the practice we ask you to engage in at church, for walking the spiritual path is an ongoing practice of heart awakening. Being a part of a church community, for sure, takes courage. It took you courage to come to your first worship service, and it takes courage to stay. It takes courage to step more fully into your role as a needed steward here, and to concede that maybe it’s time to pass the baton. We need everyone to help make church ‘go’ and we also need the ‘going’ to be fueled by heart. If discerning your gifts, or needs, would ever feel helpful, please don’t hesitate to reach out–there are so many people here that would love to companion you in this!
Thank you for all the good you bring to this church and community. Thank for being people of such profound heart. With all that is uncertain these days, we have much to be grateful for here.
With love and heart,
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.