It has been an incredibly busy, exhilarating first month with you. Having attended over 10 different committee meetings last month and helping prepare the pledge campaign, I have witnessed first hand the heartfelt generosity and dedication of our many leaders. We are trulyblessed to be so leader-full at this Fellowship.
At the Worship Committee meeting, I asked what generosity meant to the team. They each mentioned how impressed they are by the widespread donation of time and effort they see at CVUUF. And in addition to those contributions of time and talent, your generous pledging helps this community flourish. I’ve also noticed how many of you are willing to move quickly to YES!
Again and again, you say “Yes!” to taking on responsibility and projects, to doing tasks for your committees and teams, and to sharing your expertise to support this congregation. I’m deeply moved by how seriouslygiving back is taken here. The way each of you shares your energy, your passions, your skills, your income and your love with and for this community, models generosity for all. You demonstrate that generosity is not simply a matter of doing and giving. It is also a way of being, a way of fully living our faith.
This month we’ll be looking at generosity from several different perspectives. With the Jewish High Holidays in full swing in early October, we will reflect on the practices of atonement and forgiveness. What could be more generous than offering forgiveness to someone who has done you wrong or has hurt you or your loved ones? Whether it’s forgiveness for a small conflict or a large transgression, what greater gift can we offer each other? By forgiving, we don’t condone or forget or even necessarily pardon what someone has done. We simply release them, and ourselves, from the condemnation and possible vengefulness surrounding the hurt. Done properly, forgiveness is one of the greater acts of generosity we can offer the world and ourselves.
On October 16, we will have a special celebration to mark the culmination and completion of our 2016 pledge drive. Please join us to celebrate as a community. There will be surprises between the services!
Finally, at the end of the month, our intergenerational All Souls Service on October 30th, will honor the ancestors of our faith, this congregation and our lives. Please join us for this very special multi-generational service at 9:15 am only. Our UUA Congregational Life representative, Rev. Dr. Jonipher Kwong, Sam Dickerson and I will celebrate the generosity of those who have come before us. Please bring photos of your deceased loved ones for our altar that Sunday. Our children will also be helping us honor this sacred day.
I’m excited and grateful to explore all of this and more together this month. Please keep sharing your stories of generosity and kindness on our wall in Fellowship Hall and on our Facebook page.
In faith and anticipation,
Reverend Nica