September 2009

For many of our members and friends at RUCC, September means going back to school. We have quite a number of students, people in administration, teachers, professors, etc. I’d guess the percentage of people involved in education here is well above the average in the general population. I wonder if it’s our community that draws them here or does their presence create the community? Like many things in life, it’s probably a mixture of both.

You see education manifests itself in so many ways. Time and again we pursue opportunities to teach ourselves new things, look for new ways of understanding, and partner with people who are actively involved in education.

The 2009 Summer Series on Equality and Inclusivity was a great example of our community opening our minds to new horizons. Through the process of listening, we heard different perspectives and different ways of dealing with life. That doesn’t mean we always agreed, but we listened with love, acceptance and above all, with delight. Many people who participated in the Summer Series told me that whether they were on the sending or receiving end of these conversations, they learned something about their fellow RUCC’ers and about themselves.

If you were able to attend some or all of the sessions, the following questions will look familiar. If not, I hope you will take time to reflect on some of them. Think about what your answers are, or your own further questions! Talk to your friends and family and learn firsthand what delight there is in hearing others’ deepest perspectives.

INCLUSION/EXCLUSION – Led by Loring & Sharon
1) “Talk about a time you have been included warmly.” 2) “Talk about a time when you participated in excluding others (or had trouble including someone else).”

KINDNESS THAT WAS OFFERED/RECEIVED – Led by Georgia, Sara, Barb
1) “When have you known or received abundant kindness?” 2) “How did it change you?”

RECEIVING HELP OR SERVICE/GIVING HELP OR SERVICE – Led by Larry & Gretchen
1) “When were you on the receiving end of assistance?” 2) “When were you on the giving end of rendering assistance to someone else?”

FORGIVENESS: RECEIVING/GIVING – Led by Rick & Keith
1) “Think of times when you needed forgiveness or were forgiven.  What was that like?” 2)“Think of a time when you forgave someone, and how did that help you to be more inclusive and treat people more equally?”

YOUR EXPERIENCES WITH GOD: PRESENCE/ABSENCE – Led by Barbie & Susie
1) “When have you felt particularly close, intimate, connected or accepted to/by your conception of God or the Divine—whatever you might define that to be?” 2) “When have you felt disconnected or separated from that entity?” 3) “How has either or both of these experiences influenced you or led you to where you are today on your faith journey?”

REFLECTIONS ON THE SERIES AND OTHER TOPICS FROM THE COMMUNITY – Led by Loring & Sharon
1) “Looking back at the topics/questions, what has changed in you as a result of summer series?” 2) Of the other topics suggested by the church community (poverty, homelessness, socioeconomic differences, race/racism, GLBT concerns, marriage equality, adoption, mental illness, immigration/amnesty), which of these are you most passionate about and what in your life story drives that passion?” 3) “Holding that passion tenderly, what is it in your story that holds you back from pursuing that passion?

I hope you will continue to learn and listen with delight, because different perspectives are so enriching. My mother used to frequently quote, “Variety is the spice of life!”

With optimism and hope,
Loring Fiske-Phillips