Beloved reader,
Last Sunday I preached on the subject of leadership in anxious times. It is important that leaders (and everyone else, too) not get too caught up in “the anxiety of the moment” but are able to think long-term. To do this, leaders need to be connected with their center. Your center might be your deepest held values, or God, or the spirit. But whatever it is, it’s important to put that first. If you know your center, and you’re true to the mission of whatever it is your serving as a leader, leadership is considerably easier than it would be otherwise.
As usual, country music says it best. Here’s a great, timeless song about not getting too caught up in the anxiety of the moment and the pursuit of worldly gain at the expense of putting first things first. It’s written by Red Hayes and Jack Rhodes and has been covered by just about everybody.
“If I had his money, I could do things my way?”
Little they know that it’s so hard to find
One rich man in ten with a satisfied mind.Once I was winning in fortune and fame
Everything that I dreamed for to get a start in life’s game
Suddenly it happened, I lost every dime
But I’m richer by far with a satisfied mind
Money can’t buy back your youth when you’re old
Or a friend when you’re lonely, or a love that’s grown cold
The wealthiest person is a pauper at times
Compared to the man with a satisfied mind
My trials and my loved ones, I’ll leave them no doubt
But one thing’s for certain, when it comes my time
I’ll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
I’ll leave this old world with a satisfied mind
As you go about your life, friend, may you find that most precious of treasures: a satisfied mind.
Rev. Bob
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We had a great this past week, with our Coming of Age ceremony. Unitarian Universalist Coming of Age is a little like confirmation in Catholicism or a Bat or Bar Mitzvah in Judaism, but with our own unique version. The youth in the program learn about Unitarian Universalist thought and traditions - but just as importantly, they consider what they believe about the world. After months of soul-searching, talking with mentors and teachers, and being in community with their peer group, on Sunday our youth shared their “credo statements” with the congregation. The statements were wonderful, and the youth are even more so.
This year, as well as planning the service one of the youth drew the picture on the front of the order of service. It was a flaming chalice, the symbol of Unitarian Universalism. On the base of the chalice was written “FUUFHC”, to show that the congregation was the support for the entire Coming of Age program. The sides of the chalice were composed of the names of the teachers, who helped lift up the youth. The youths’ names were in the bowl of the chalice - they are the heart of it all, where the flame of the Coming of Age spirit comes from. The top “rim” of the chalice was the mentors - their names were above the youth, because they are people the youth look up to. Finally, the chalice flame said “Coming of Age”, which is what happened when we all gathered together.
Just like the service, the picture really reminded me of what is possible when people meet together with a common purpose. Each can strengthen the other, and produce something lasting and beautiful. The youth reminded me afresh what I so love about this faith of ours.
with gratitude,
Rev. Bob
sabbath time is the opportunity to realize
the most important thing in the world
is a Dad playing with his kid on the swings.
Nobel prizes, peace accords, effective CEOs are all vital,
but if they don’t serve a Dad playing with his kid on the swings,
then
they’re nothing.