Category Archives: ministry

Jun24

Service of Living Tradition

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At last night’s Service of Living Tradition, ministers, religious educators, and musicians were recognized for achieving notable credentials. In our area: from First UU Church in San Antonio, the Rev. Bret Lortie received Final Fellowship (like getting tenure). From the UU Congregation of San Marcos, Brian Ferguson received Preliminary Fellowship (having jumped through all the hoops required of new ministers. Note: Brian will be ordained Nov. 6!)

Nice innovation: Early in the service we whooped and hollered for the honorees as their names were read, a picture was put on the screens, and they rose from among the people to their places on stage. Then it became more like a worship service with wonderful music and a terrific sermon by Michael Schuler. Did you know “djembe” (drum in West Africa) means “gathering in peace”? Djembes are frequently used for ceremonial occasions to honor people. They were beautifully used last night!

The service also commemorates ministers who have died in the past year. This year I had known three of them: Mary Harrington, Charles Howe, and Brandoch “Brandy” Lovely. Some of the other nine I knew only by reputation or through their writings.

I remember my own events: Preliminary Fellowship in 1993 (Ft. Worth), Final Fellowship in 1997 (Phoenix). The next time I walk the stage, the universe willing, should be for my retirement some 10-15 years from now. But do ministers ever really retire? There is so much ministry needed in the world that even if we receive no paycheck, we have been ordained to serve. It is our calling from that willing universe.

Congrats to all the ministers, educators, and musicians honored last night (about 135 of them). Godspeed, Mary, Charles, and Brandy.

Jun24

General Assembly in Full Swing!

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To stream events and read about our Unitarian Universalist General Assembly in Charlotte, NC, click here

On the first full day I attended two workshops related to pastoral care and one on membership. Many of the ideas will be helpful as Live Oak continues to strengthen those areas of congregational life.

Since I am a youth sponsor this year, I also attended youth worship and HUUPLA (Human UU Persons’ Large Assembly) for youth, their sponsors and staff. It was mostly to check in with each other and hear pertinent announcements. For instance, 30 of the youth will have lunch with the Board of Trustees today.

Youth (and sponsors) enjoy instant gratification. Just for showing up at events we are given a different colored bead to add to our name tags. I have beads for attending orientation, for coming to my first youth event, to worship, and to HUUPLA. It almost becomes a competition! The youth are engaged in a scavenger hunt to encourage them to go to particular exhibits and events. The winner earns prize money for her/his home congregation! Go Kelly!

Later in the day I attended a worship service for Church of the Larger Fellowship. I have been a member for years, primarily for access to their resources, but also to support this “church without walls.” They are the church for isolated UUs around the world, including prisons. The Rev. Meg Riley was installed as their new Senior Minister. Notable UUs took part in the service: Nate Walker (sermon), Abhi Janamanchi (charge to the minister), Kay Montgomery (charge to the congregation), Laurel Hallman (prayer of installation), and Jason Shelton (music). It was a great celebration!

More to come……

Jun20

Prayer Journal

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Thanks to Karl, I’ve started a prayer journal. On a recent Sunday he mentioned having done this for a couple of years, once a week, and sent me samples from his book. Since I keep a journal and I regularly meditate or pray, why not combine the practices? The idea is to spend some time (perhaps an hour) once a week to write to whatever/whoever seems appropriate: Spirit of Life; Mystery of the Universe; Holy One; My Higher Self . . . and just put your inner needs or desires into words. I started with a different journal from my usual one. It had been given to participants of a yoga retreat in April, and seemed just right for my new purpose.

Here’s a sample prayer, fresh off the keyboard:

Mystery Beyond My Understanding,

Be with my friends and parishioners who are hospitalized, in rehab, under Hospice care, and recently deceased. Each of them has been a teacher to me and continues to teach me without a single lesson plan.

They show me that we are frail vessels who might suddenly become ill or injured or in need of surgery. I particularly pray for my neighbor Ken, whose surgery is very soon. He is afraid and anxious, not just of the surgery but of the aggressive cancer. Another neighbor, a nurse, has been a steadfast companion.

They show me what it means to live and die with dignity, how dying brings out both the best and the worst of patients, family members, and friends. That we will die is not a mystery, but we prefer to ignore that fact.

Mystery of Life, Mystery of Death, open my eyes and let compassion guide me into good ministry and loving friendship.

Shanti, Peace, Aloha

Here’s a link to How to Keep a Prayer Journal. It suggests keeping a Bible at hand, but any scripture or book of poetry might be your preference. Let me know if you decide to try this–and check with me to make sure I keep it up!
Keeping a Prayer Journal

May25

Center, Time, and Space

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A Prayer Bead workshop led by Linda and Audrey provided over 20 women with an opportunity to think about prayer and to craft a set of prayer beads. Though some of us consider “prayer” to be a “wounded word” from the past and some of us have no reason to use it in the present, we were presented with alternatives–new ways of thinking about prayer. They are planning another workshop in the fall for children and adults, including families.

I pray on a regular basis now, but for many years it had became a pointless practice.

Maybe prayer felt like a childhood exercise: “Now I lay me down to sleep . . .”; “God is great, God is good . . .”; “The Lord is my shepherd . . .”; “Our Father . . .” At various times these were not just familiar but a source of comfort. (Ironically, they still bring comfort under certain circumstances.) When I left the Episcopal Church as a young adult I walked away from regular prayer, too. Everywhere I looked, prayers were offered for trivial reasons: for OUR team, OUR nation, OUR safety, etc.

These prayer beads serve a tactile purpose of metaphorically touching the spirit of life, the spirit within, and the spirit of connection with others. The entering bead is for Centering, or creating a space within for prayer or meditation. To that Centering bead I added disks for Time and Space. I’m centered in a particular time and space but I am also connected to eternal time and space. Widening my heart makes the Center fuller and richer.

The Rev. Barbara Hamilton-Holway writes of prayer in volume 2 of Evensong>. She describes prayer as:

  • attending to what life gives us
  • listening in the quiet
  • responding honestly and openly
  • hearing the call to a wider perspective, a deeper resolve
  • tending the relationship with our truest, greatest self
  • cultivated when practiced every day, regularly, intentionally
  • a reminder to live with compassion and care for ourselves, others, and creation
  • a rush of thanks for all the gifts of life

Clearly there’s a call to prayer, as simple as “Thanks for Creation” or in whatever form helps you listen to your heart. There’s also a strong call to action when there’s so much that needs human hands to make the world a better place. Let’s pray for that, too!

Peace,

Kathleen

May23

Loose connections | The Christian Century

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Loose connections | The Christian Century.

Very interesting article on church membership vs. not joining.

May22

Board Advance

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It was called a Retreat, but it was a giant step forward. Today, incoming church President Rob facilitated a wide-ranging discussion about business as usual and business as we want it to work.

  • How can we help ensure that new members stay connected with our community?
  • What are the specific, concrete responsibilities of the Board, the Policy Committee, the Executive Team?
  • How shall we manage the transition that begins officially on June 1?
  • What resources will best help us understand these changes and how to manage them?
  • Are we at last ready to move forward instead of spinning our wheels?

Live Oak UU Church is shifting toward a policy governance that will affect nearly every aspect of church life. There will be unintended consequences, to be sure. Today, though, we’re full of (naive?) optimism along with the anticipation of challenging times ahead.

Change is coming! Three years of groundwork have laid its foundation. As in most construction it’s not perfectly level, but I hope a few shims will level the floorboards by and by.

Many thanks and praises to everyone for your participation, dedication, and good ideas! We missed those of you who simply could not be with us, but we very much look forward to your contributions, too.

Peace,

Kathleen

May15

Youth Worship

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Based on themes by the beloved writer Dr. Seuss (Theodor Seuss Geisel), our High School Youth led a wonderful worship service today! Do you remember The Lorax, The Butter Battle Book, The Sneetches, Oh the Places You’ll Go? These “children’s stories” have timeless themes that are meaningful to adults. The best stories are ones adults like to read to their children. Eventually the kids grow old enough to read them back to us! Several Seuss were beautifully expressed and/or acted out by wonderful youth. Talented musicians played and sang the Prelude, Offertory, and Postlude, and led the hymns. Three shared reflections on their favorite Seuss stories and others participated in other ways. Great job! A treat every year!

During the Bridging Ceremony, graduating Seniors received a small Worship Box with a cloth, a small chalice, sacred objects, words to read for chalice lighting, and love from Live Oak as they move from High School into new ventures. We hope this will help them feel connected to their home church for years to come. We enjoyed hearing from their parents as they shared the joy of raising such amazing young people.

Here are some of them, and their advisors:

Apr21

First Days Record

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Shifting gears, big time! Phone calls, emails, and meetings with key leaders have started to fill me in on the weeks I was away. At the same time I have been picking up many balls all at once, as though I had never been away. Some things have waited for my return; some balls were dropped altogether; many positive things have moved us forward in our mission. Already I have had to say goodbye to a member who is moving away.

Even as I ramp up it is important for me to maintain a wide perspective, a metaphorical view from the balcony. Life IS short. Healthy balance requires considerable effort because there is always something personal or professional that can throw that balance right out the window.

So I go back again and again to the spiritual heart of my being. Meditation, poetry, music, writing, and prayer–early and often during each day. Such a joy it is to fall back on the spiritual wisdom of the ages!

Today has been a reading and writing day. I’m outside under the shade of a patio umbrella and there is almost enough breeze to offset the heat and humidity. The weather will only get worse as summer takes hold, so I might as well avail myself of this beautiful spring day. Too bad we haven’t had enough rain lately. I’m trying to be super conscious of water consumption already and to appreciate every drop.

Here’s a closing reading from Anthony de Mello’s Song of the Bird

A Parable on Modern Life

The animals met in assembly and began to complain that humans were always taking things away from them.
“They take my milk,” said the cow.
“They take my eggs,” said the hen.
“They take my flesh for bacon,” said the hog.
“They hunt me for my oil,” said the whale.

Finally the snail spoke. “I have something they would certainly take away from me if they could. Something they want more than anything else. I have TIME.”
You have all the time in the world, if you would give it to yourself. What’s stopping you?

I don’t need ALL the time. Just enough. And you?