The Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough

As I pondered this question, the theme for our Nov 7th service, I realized that for our
particular journey, we need a different kind of map. Our map has no external
destination. It cannot be created by just one person (even the minister), nor can it be only two-dimensional. The intersections of this map are interpersonal, teaching us what to do when we encounter one another. The routes on this map
are circular, leading us in the way of deepening.

Given that I could not make a map to show us where we are going, I realized that I can provide directional arrows...signposts that are meaning-makers, reminding us of
what we most value.

So, my first task would be to make a sign, writ large, asking you to show up. Be here. This community is not whole or vibrant without you.

I would make a sign directing you to continue all the wonderful things we are doing... our commitment to our children, our wonderful and varied music program, our dedication to being a warm and welcoming congregation.

I would make a sign that is a banner of justice...and I would instruct you to hold it high...to notice and name those places in the world where love is not present, and to consistently choose to fill in those places with compassion and forgiveness.

I would create a sign that boldly proclaims that all are welcome here, and encourage you to open wide the doors...the doors to your heart, the doors to your mind, the
doors to our building...knowing full well that when the door is open, unexpected things come in. I charge you to be prepared to welcome those unexpected visitors...be they
people or ideas...and to learn from them.

I would post a notice that this is a place where we can enter fully into relationship with one another, where we can be honest and direct, where we can embrace our differences without judgment, and learn to recognize our blind sides. I would suggest that we create and affirm a covenant of right relations that would be there to guide us when we get into troubled waters.

I would be sure you knew the way to forgiveness and acceptance. I would remind you that this is not easy work, and that going to the stars might require us to give up what
is comfortable and familiar. And finally, I would paint a huge billboard that announces
that the Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough has moved to the land of more joy. All should know that we choose to view life and our connections with one another as an
experience of abundance, one that we can relish and share, in all its complexity. So, the truth is, our map is really a collection of guideposts.

The truth is, we’re not GOING anywhere...we’re staying right here...together, committed, proud, open...desiring to be the best vital liberal religious community that we can be.

We’ve all gotten into the car...or onto our bicycles, or skis, or skateboards, or walking shoes...we’ve fastened our seatbelts, and we are off...bound to enjoy a beautiful ride
together.

Those who have been paying attention know by now that my theology is one of journey; I believe that we are always in the process of becoming, always changing, never staying still.

I was sent a new Mary Oliver poem recently in which she writes, “Inside the river there is an unfinishable story, and you are somewhere in it, and it will never end until all ends.”

We are somewhere in an unfinishable story...one that we can choose to imbue with meaning. Join me.

You are my beloved,
Julie