Sept '09
Welcome to September
In our congregations these words mean much more than some might think. The operating word here is welcome. But the time of year is as important as the welcoming. It is a time of returning.
Ever since a small congregation of gentlemen farmers in Roxbury, Massachusetts founded what would become Harvard University, congregational churches mirrored their liturgical year to the academic year. Our church year follows our school year. Advent, for many, is signaled by those cool mornings that signal the coming of autumn rather than a liturgical event. It signals the return to home and hearth or to classes; a welcome home from the travels and work of the spring and summer. The season has become part of our DNA. Go any place in this country and you’ll find schools and churches engaged in welcoming back students and families and individuals.
Our congregation is no different. I bet many of you traveled to different parts of the country if not different regions of the world. It is exciting and stimulating. I know for my part the break from the daily routine opened my mind to new ideas and plans. It is definitely a feeling I unwittingly cultivated over the years. This year is no different. I can’t wait to see many of you and to hear your stories from the summer. Fall is my favorite time of year and I think it was the prospect of returning to school and my school friends made it so then and those feelings linger as powerfully to this day.
This year is a little different from last for all of us. This is my second year with the congregation. I spent much of last year getting to know as many people as possible but feel like I missed so much. Also, I wanted to watch how we all could work together. I know more and have more ideas. So this return is indeed a wonderful one for me. The other day, I made a list of all the people I felt I missed over the summer. It was too long. My Oklahoma upbringing created a creature that finds fellowship in projects, work, and activity. OK, some of us kept up some summer projects, but it’s nothing like our relationship during the church year. Can you tell I’m being excited about the upcoming year?
One large church I served called this time of year “Homecoming.” That always fit for me because it embodies not only both return and welcome but also the anticipation of something to come; expectation. Well, my expectations are high and my excitement is palpable. Welcome back; welcome to a new church (or should I say congregational) year; welcome to returning to the smiles, hugs, and warmth of a great congregation.
September 13: The Water Service We UUs have no sacraments but we do have several beloved traditions. Probably one of the most symbolic and significant is our Water Service. The center piece of this service is bringing water from our travels to join with the water of other congregants. It is a time to reflect on your summer, your hopes, your pains, your story.
September 27: Spiritual Nature This sermon will explore the three predominant views of our spiritual nature. It’s all in our perspective. Each view is associated with different world cultural regions. It isn’t as mysterious as it sounds and having a little perspective can go a long way in understand our own UU views.
