By De Anna Hoyle
“We move. And we must keep moving. When we find ourselves caught in the fear that has us protecting our own belonging, we must connect back in with ourselves and our commitment to move in the direction of love to keep waking up – and we need to help each other gently, and with humility and compassion to keep growing. Personally, collectively and out in the world – towards a wider love, a greater justice, a fuller equality and a world where we all belong.”
These words ended the sermon last Sunday at the Pagosa Unitarian Universalist (UU) Fellowship as the Reverend Gretchen Haley offered these remarks in a sermon entitled The Woke and the Waking. Rev Haley is the senior minister at Foothills Unitarian Church in Fort Collins, Colorado. The Pagosa UU Fellowship is finishing up a 5-week series of services focusing on What the World Needs Now: Universalism in a Polarized Age.
This Sunday, November 10, from 11:00am – 12:30pm, we invite you to check out our Going Deeper Gathering Circle, offering a time for reflection on the sermon topic.
There is no need to have heard the sermon beforehand.
These monthly gatherings hold space to share your feelings and hopeful musings as a post-election respite. The Circle is open for those wishing to deepen their connection to Spirit of their own understanding. We practice active listening and hold space for silent reflection as we share from our hearts. Here is a sampling of the questions we will explore:
What challenges do we face in holding space for both acceptance and the call to change?
How can we ensure that creating space for growth does not come at the expense of marginalized individuals feeling safe and valued?
How can our community support one another in an ongoing journey of growing without causing harm or alienation?
What steps can we take individually and collectively to move through fear toward a more inclusive and transformative community?
We invite you to join us for light snacks and tea in this loving and welcoming community for all.
In addition to our Sunday services held the 1st and 3rd Sundays at 10:30, we are grateful to offer in-person meditation practice led by a certified meditation instructor on alternate Sundays — the 2nd and 4th — from 9:00-10:30am. Newcomers are welcome, and we invite you to email (PagosaUUF@gmail.com) your interest to be put on an announcement list in the event of a change in the schedule. Please bring a blanket and water. Meditation cushions and chairs are provided. The sessions begin promptly at 9am, so allow a few extra minutes to settle in. A suggested donation of $10-$20 is greatly appreciated; however, no one will be turned away — meditation instruction itself is always free.
You can find us at Unit B-15 of the Greenbriar Plaza, 301 N. Pagosa Blvd. on the north side facing the Pagosa Peak.
Visit the website, Pagosauu.org for more information on the Fellowship’s programming, current and archived copies of our monthly newsletter, and links to the Unitarian Universalist Association which states in part: We are brave, curious and compassionate thinkers and doers. We create spirituality and community beyond boundaries, working for more justice and more love in our own lives and in the world. Unitarian Universalism draws from our heritages of freedom, reason, hope, and courage, building on the foundation of love.