Conversations on the Road Home (DG)

People will either be surprised or annoyed to learn that I am a dyed-in-the-wool introvert. I have even taken several tests, (Myers-Briggs, Enneagram, grandmother etc.) that seem to firmly support what I already know to be true of myself. I have profound thoughts and deep emotions just below what is often a very calm and present, somewhat reserved exterior. Now, that is not to say that there isn’t calmness and presence on the inside as well, bouncing up against and flowing around the other thoughts and emotions.

So you might ask, “Why does an introvert choose a vocation (parish ministry) where they are around people, large noisy groups of them, and all the time?” I ask myself the same question, especially after a meeting runs too long on words and too short on content.

But, maybe, just maybe, if we all put the same question out there into the universe, one day I will get an answer.

Ok, so I am being a little cheeky about this blog entry, maybe a bit sarcastic, and here’s why: conversations are hard for introverts. (Or at least a “growing-edge” for introverts to use the most P.C. vernacular) Especially in a world that is filled to bursting with loud extroverts, talking all the time, using up our precious oxygen, deafening us with the sounds coming out of their mouths.

I am learning to do a better job of talking more, expressing all the things that need to be expressed, and most of all learning to share some of my vulnerabilities. It has been a practice. Sometimes I do better than others. Sometimes I am able to connect in ways I never thought possible as an introvert. Other times I miss the mark completely. (If only sticking your foot in your mouth meant you had been prevented from saying a foolish thing?) You see there is a kind protective shielding that happens with silence. You can’t say the wrong thing, if you don’t say nothing at all.

All of this to say (where’s the oxygen): I am learning to be with other people, and to enjoy them as much as I enjoy the book-ensconced solitude of my hermitage (i.e. Fahs House). It’s been tremendous, all of it, the talking, and most of all being in conversation.  

There is a difference (right?) between talking and conversation. The introvert in me still doesn’t want to talk, but I definitely want to be in conversation.  In conversation one expects to hear multiple voices, responses; perhaps, to gain insights, or simply to feel as though you have been heard by another person. In learning to be in conversation with others, I also feel as though I am also learning to be closer to the source of my being, the life that grounds me and contains all the rest. In fact I believe that G-d, among many other things, is what happens between “you and I” when we are in right relationship.

In Jewish and Christian scriptures we hear in one instance the psalmist wanting to turn their dwelling space into a “house of prayer” and in another instance Paul encourages his friends in Thessalonica to “pray without ceasing”. Prayer can be the ongoing, ceaseless conversation we have with each other in our house of prayer, the church. It can also be the conversation we have with life, by how we live in community, how we welcome the stranger—as a prayer. Talking is not prayer, real, meaningful conversation can be. Conversation, like prayer, when it is done right, reminds us of interconnectedness and interdependence of the web of life.

I’ve learned that to experience the benefits of conversation takes practice, lots of practice, not just for introverts, (like, a certain Intern Minister) but for all of us.

So here is a special invitation to enter a meaningful new conversation on our shared faithful journey. On Monday May 27, at 7:00 PM - Memorial Day - I am leading an interfaith worship service called the New Road Home right here at the church. It will be a unique gathering of veterans, civilians, active service members and their families. The aim of this service is for us to be in conversation in a way many don’t experience, but all of us desperately need. We will honor our connectedness, our commonalities and also our unique stories. We will reconnect with home, and our conversations across differences and generations will help to open the door.

I want to hear from you. I want to be in conversation. I want to pray with you. See you in church. Daniel.

Saved by a Different Faith (JC)

I chose Unitarian Universalism as my faith not because of our history which is rich, indeed; not because of our pioneering efforts to end slavery, or how we helped in the women's suffrage movement. I did not become a UU because of our important work during the Civil Rights Movement.  I didn't choose this faith because I am antitrinitarian or because I believe in the salvation of all souls. I chose this religion as the one I would die for because, quite simply, it accepted me for who I was and where I was.  This faith said "You are okay as you are, you are an original blessing not an original sin--a work in progress." That is the reason I am a Unitarian Universalist. 

What about you? Is UUism a gift to you? A gift is "a thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present" (thanks Wiki). This movement came to us free of charge it was a present--presenting to us new opportunities for affirmation and association. It was freely given without any thought of repayment.  I don't know?  Somehow I feel compelled to do something with this gift. I want to pay it forward by sharing our message with others. An old hymn of the church comes to mind... "What shall I render for all the blessings? What shall I render, what shall I give?” The hymn goes on to say, “All I can render is my body and my soul, that’s all that I can render that is all that I can give.” I have to be present and share this UU gift because I am held captive by the message.

If you are not a UU you might ask "Is that all the UU message says--that 'you are okay and a work in progress'?   Yes.  Pretty much, but it does say more...  Our message says to you that we support inclusivity   We believe all humans are the "Imago Dei"-- made in the image of God, made in the image of Greatness!  We believe all humans beings have worth and are worthy of love.  We believe that all religions point us right back to ourselves and the "god(s) of our understanding."  We believe in the democratic process, that each person is free to responsibly search for her/his own truths in life.

Perhaps you are a Unitarian Universalist and don't even know it?  If you want to talk about it, give me a shout out.  The ways to reach  me and to check out some of my work are below.  

Peace and blessings,

Rev. John T., (MOLE)
Minister of Outreach, Leadership and Evangelism
UU Church of Annapolis, Lead Minister AWAKE
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Office 410-266-8044 x107
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Why I Dance - CL

I grew up in a musical family. 

My father played in a band and was a member of the Air Force traveling show  "Tops in Blue" early in his career. My brother played multiple instruments, and enjoys songwriting and producing even today. I loved the fact that music was often being played in our home. Whether it was my dad on the guitar, my brother on the trumpet or piano, or my mom feigning opera, there was a lot of music around. I took piano lessons for a few years in elementary school and I never connected to the act of playing music. I considered joining the orchestra in middle school, but was more attracted to theater and speech. I considered myself, for most of my life, "not musical."

I realized in the past several years, however, that I am indeed "musical." My connection to music comes through movement… through dance. I am not drawn to playing or singing music. Rather, I connect to rhythm, melody, and harmony through dance. I simply cannot sit still when hearing good music! If you've seen in me in Sunday Services, I struggle to stand and sing without tapping my feet, clapping my hands, bobbing my head, or swaying my hips. I feel music more than I hear it.

I took years of dance training, including ballet, modern dance, jazz, and even hip-hop in graduate school. But I am not what you would call a "good dancer." Not in the traditional sense of the word. I'm never in the front row while performing. I'm not particularly graceful. But I love the feeling of allowing my body to do what it wants when the rhythm strikes.

I learned to let go of my preconceived notions about dance and movement in college, when I took a Dancehall Jazz class. The class was taught by a man from Jamaica, and we mostly danced to songs by Beyonce'. He would work and work with us to learn the steps, then he would tell us to "forget everything and just feel it". 

 At the time of that class, I was struggling in my life. I was battling an eating disorder, anorexia, which had twisted my mind and made me believe my body was an enemy. I thought I should control my body, and take up less space. But Marlon, my teacher, helped me learn to trust my body, to work with it rather than against it, and to listen to my body's needs and wants, and not just my mind's. He taught me to take up more space. "Bigger movements!" he would shout. "Bigger hips!" "Bigger eyes!" …And with that, I was on the beginning of a journey of integrating my head, my heart, and my body. My arms, my legs, my torso, my bottom, my feet, and joints… All of these parts together made me whole. 

I am glad that particular struggle in my life is past. But I know I still struggle, as I know many of you do, with body-acceptance. We are taught to be thinner, or stronger, or taller, or faster, or louder, or quieter. We worry about our noses, and our hair, and our freckles, and our skin tone. Dance, for me, is one way to remind us that our bodies are good. We should care for our bodies, feed them well, allow them rest, and listen to their needs. We should also be grateful for our bodies. My best friend Jenn, who died four years ago from Muscular Dystrophy, was wheelchair-bound and very limited in her movements. But she was an excellent dancer. The joy she radiated when she bobbed her head, moved her hands, and allowed her friends to spin her in her chair, is what made her a good dancer. We only get one body. Let's make the most of it!

Betsy Kraning, our UUCA Music Director, loves to say "anyone who can talk, can sing." I love to say, "anyone who can move, can dance."  It is a natural thing. 

Look at this video of these tiny babies dancing to their father's music: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to7uIG8KYhg

This is why I am hoping you will come out to the 1st Annual "Dancing on the Side of Love" dance on Saturday, February 9, from 5-8:00pm. We'll provide heavy snacks and non-alcoholic drinks and great tunes from all generations to get people of all ages dancing together. Most of the songs will be free-dance (like you remember from your school days). But from time-to-time we'll introduce a song with a particular dance. Think: Hokey Pokey, Hand Jive, Electric Slide, The Twist, Soulja Boy, or Gangnam Style.  We'll invite people who know the dance, to teach it. And if you don't know it, to try to learn it!

This dance will be an exercise in Beloved Community. We will be working together to learn from one another, as well as being willing to try new experiences, and possibly mess up! But then we'll try again, and help each other out. It's all in good fun, and a way to have fun with your UUCA community.

If you want to see some brief snippets of the dances we might be trying, here's a funny video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMH0bHeiRNg 

Dance can just be a fun way of connecting to music, and connecting to community. 

I hope you'll join us!

Blessings...   -Rev. Christina