I met via Skype with JMD earlier this month. My biggest takeaway from the hour was to plan a little less for future sessions. I spent most of the time talking from notes, and what I hope to gain from this relationship is discussion and some external ideas. JMD does need background about me, but I think we’re there now.
Here are the topics we covered:
Service
I’ve been reflecting further on the local Imam’s repetition at the interfaith Thanksgiving celebration: “To those to whom much is given, much is expected.” This is beyond dollars and cents.
Here’s what I’m doing to live up to that:
- Volunteering with the Refugee Development Center as an English as a Second Language learning buddy
- Contributing to food banks (an early career goal, before I flunked miserably out of high school chemistry, was to study soil science at MSU, an agricultural school. Feeding people really matters to me)
- Giving generously during the Christmas season to Toys for Tots
- Personal Needs Bank donations at area churches (baby shampoo, diapers, deodorant, etc.)
Church Attendance
For the past two weeks, I’ve gone back to UU for my first services there in almost a year. It was really nice – the contemporary music that even I can sing (and we sang my favorite hymn and some other really nice ones too boot), and seeing so many people I’m familiar and friendly with. Some people sought me out to say hi and see what had become of me and I appreciated that. I sat with my Seat Buddy Jacob who I used to sit with every week and who came to my Eid party last year. The sermon for MLK day was God-focused, which was unusual for the UUs, but very welcome. They unequivocally established the validity of theism, which is not something I’ve heard the interim minister do and that was especially welcome as well. He has sometimes rubbed me the wrong way but he got all choked up during his sermon on Martin Luther King’s theology and it was very touching. Also!! Very important to me, I learned they’ve begun taking up donations for a program called Stone Soup similar to the Personal Needs Bank which helps with items the Bridge card doesn’t cover but only for UUs. I want that opportunity specifically through my church although I wish it were for the greater community. I’m thinking about going back more regularly.
When Bad Things Happen to Good People
I’m particularly drawn to Kushner’s philosophy but it’s in conflict with the messages of my childhood. I don’t feel like I can toss the notion of God as judge, punisher, etc. I’m not certain that I believe in hell but I’d feel like a theological lightweight if I decided to chuck the concept and I take silly, undeserved pride in being a stodgy throwback to harsher religious messages. It makes me feel like a genuinely devout person, however ridiculous that is, and I do acknowledge that it may not be A. Accurate or B. Serving me well.
New Book on my Reading List
When one religion isn’t enough: the lives of spiritually fluid people
Bidwell, Duane. Theologian explores the lives of people who use teachings from multiple faith traditions to define their personal spirituality. Discusses the definition of “normal” as applied to spirituality, choosing faith traditions, collaboration between beliefs, and navigating the world when subscribing to more than oneset of teachings. 2018.
I’m about halfway through and enjoying it.
Plum Librarian LLC 