The Year Speeds By!

Reverend Zakir at the pulpit.

The Year Speeds By!

It’s hard to believe, but the church year is nearly over. What a year it’s been. It started in August with my move to Grand Junction. Moving is not my favorite activity. In fact, I’ve never really gotten moved. There is so much left unpacked or lost. That doesn’t include all the things I need to get rid of. Sound familiar? I know some others who have laughed and cringed along with me.

 We got the year off to a running start. First, we set aside some time to get to know one another. Then we started the serious business of creating a church year. The water service was a real kick. It was my first real taste of Jana’s smile and her ‘let’s move through it’ attitude. She can really relax some questioning minds.

 The service auction was probably my first real introduction to the congregation as a whole. I still have pictures of that event. I have two regrets though. One, I didn’t get to meet as many people as I would liked to have. Two, though I took many pictures, I didn’t take nearly as many as I should have.

 We hardly had our feet on the ground when the annual district meeting came along. Several of us met in Albuquerque and had a great time. That was a busy time for me. Being on the district executive board meant that I was on duty three days before the meeting and for the entire time of the meeting. The annual meeting ended but the holidays were upon us.

 As the winter wore on we entered the serious business of becoming a Welcoming Congregation. Although that designation is focused on bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender issues, the real meaning is an affirmation of the First Principle “We, the member congregations of the Unitarian Universalist Association, covenant to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person.” Congratulations everyone. It is a beginning to the real work of living out our ideals and learning how to do it. Believe me, I am the worst and one of the most in need of learning and practicing our principles.

 My proudest moment came when so many people stepped forward to offer shelter to the homeless shelter overflow. Though we were too early in the game to actually be called upon to provide shelter, we are recognized as a primary catalyst in encouraging many other congregations to step forward and offer. The program provided more than 1000 bed-nights of shelter this past winter. I’m hoping we will again step forward and make a similar offer next winter.

 You can look forward to some offerings next year that weren’t available this past year. Our new DRE, Wendy Jones, and I are already working on themes for next year. I’ve secured a great Roots (UU history and polity) program which I’ll offer three times next year. One class will meet on Saturdays, so anyone who can’t come to an evening or afternoon class can come.  Add to that, I have a series on Unitarian Universalists in forming American history. I’m also working on a sermon series that engages UU identity and spiritual development. I’m excited.

 This will be the last article from me for our church year. I’ll return in September. That doesn’t mean I’ll be gone though.