Trappist monk Thomas Merton writes: “Ask me not where I live or what I like to eat . . . Ask me what I am living for and what I think is keeping me from living fully that.” ―from Thoughts in Solitude

What are you living for? Do you know? Don’t feel badly if you aren’t sure.  Merton assures us that finding what we are living for, or “discovering vocation does not mean scrambling toward some prize just beyond my reach but accepting the treasure of true self I already possess. Vocation does not come from a voice out there calling me to be something I am not. It comes from a voice in here calling me to be the person I was born to be, to fulfill the original selfhood given me at birth.” Have you heard this call? Are you living in a way that makes you happy and gives you purpose and meaning? Are you using all of your gifts?
Here is a suggestion for deepening your sense of purpose and meaning. Volunteer to teach our UUSR children this coming year! The commitment can be as simple as sitting in the nursery with the youngest children for one Sunday, or teaching the older kids for two weeks in a row. Our Religious Education (RE) co-chairs, Judy Spurr and Cindy Sharfstein, have chosen a wonderful curriculum and have adapted it to meet the needs of our congregation. They will give you everything you need to have a fruitful (and fulfilling) morning with the children.

If you are scared of the children (something I completely understand), the RE co-chairs will give you a co-teacher; we will not send you in there alone! Spending time with the next generation of Unitarian Universalists is one way of putting our principles into action. If you are a lifelong UU or someone who just joined this past year, you have a lot to offer our children.  You are the only one of your kind and as such, you have unique gifts and qualities to share.

Do not hide your light under a bushel! Say YES when Judy or Cindy writes or calls you. I thank you in advance for helping the next generation of Unitarian Universalists offer our saving faith to a hurting world.

See you at 4 Cleaves Street! -Rev Susan