First - wisdom from the Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers:
As you move through these changing times
As you move through these changing times... be easy on yourself and be easy on one another. You are at the beginning of something new. You are learning a new way of being. You will find that you are working less in the yang modes that you are used to.
You will stop working so hard at getting from point A to point B the way you have in the past, but instead, will spend more time experiencing yourself in the whole, and your place in it.
Instead of traveling to a goal out there, you will voyage deeper into yourself. Your mother's grandmother knew how to do this. Your ancestors from long ago knew how to do this. They knew the power of the feminine principle... and because you carry their DNA in your body, this wisdom and this way of being is within you.
Call on it. Call it up. Invite your ancestors in. As the yang based habits and the decaying institutions on our planet begin to crumble, look up. A breeze is stirring. Feel the sun on your wings.
By the Council of Thirteen Indigenous Grandmothers
Oh my beloveds – I miss seeing your faces and being in worship and community with you. John Faber is doing a great job of making it easier for us to connect digitally via our website. I encourage you to go to the Community HUUB and become a member of the website. Then keep up with each other in the Discussion Forums. I know how very difficult it can be, for those of us who use email as our primary online connection, to learn new ways of communicating. I am struggling right there with the rest of you who are not ‘digital natives’ (younger adults) to move from old habits. UUCBV is offering various ways to connect via Zoom: If you’re not yet comfortable with Zoom there are various ways to learn, there are multiple youtube videos – this one, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BEPQsfUg2M, is the shortest and a great way to start. John Faber is connecting our meetings to Google Meet and Facebook live as well, and I recommend if you’ve never used any of these before, start with Zoom.
Times and ways to connect via Zoom weekly:
Tuesday and Thursday Lunchtime online chats noon to 1pm. Bring your lunch and join in conversation.
Wednesday evening meditation/small group format, 7-8 pm, led by me to start, and open to others bringing meditations and practices to share.
Sunday morning worship, gathering and fellowship time, 9:30-12:30, with worship starting at 10:30 and lasting 30-45 minutes.
Please stay home as much as possible, follow all the recommendations for safety with your housemates and things you have delivered. Share your joys and concerns via Zoom and in the Discussion Forums on the website, and stay in touch with your Pastoral Care leader and group and maybe make some new friends from your group. Be in touch with me, your minister, by Zoom, email, phone call or texts. I want to know how you’re doing and be there for you in what is undoubtedly the most challenging time of our lives. I love each and every one of you, even as we’ve had different ideas about church. Every church I’ve served has had its own challenges, and I’m humbled and proud that each one has faced those challenges and grown stronger and better as they moved into their future. May we all continue to hope for and work toward peace, health and happiness for ourselves and each other. ‘Feel the sun on your wings.’
Peace and blessings, Rev. Donna