Running as a Spiritual Practice (AZ)

In eighth grade, I started running X-Country.   I think I initially joined because, like many 13-year olds, several older classmen that I most admired ran X-Country.  They exuded joy, pride, and enthusiasm; I wanted those things.  I imagined that I too would have boastful tales of how many miles I ran that week, and would be able to commiserate over how many hills or flights of stairs I tackled that day.  In short, I was young, and wanted to have my own experiences and stories.

So from late August through early December, I ran roughly 20 - 30 miles a week, skipping Sundays.  Here are a few things that I learned through this practice:

1)      It always helps to have a “restart” button to any day.  I loved that no matter how badly my day was going – no matter the grade in Math or French – I was able to start again with X-Country in the afternoon, and there, try to accomplish something.  I discovered that a day’s fate is never sealed.

2)      It isn’t about beating the competition; it is about doing your best.  Because people have different bodies and differing levels of running experience, it quickly seems impractical to simply compare runner to runner.  But every runner knows what it means to chase their PB or BT – their “personal best” or “best time.”  That is the kind of challenge I want to face every day.

3)      Only rarely do we reach our maximum potential.  Sometimes, I would find myself making excuses, or holding back.  It is easy to think that “Well, I will push it on the straight away,” or “I am so tired today.”  During my final race in eighth grade, I really wanted to do my best, so I decided to set my pace to another runner – Elaine – who was a stronger runner than I was.  I stayed with her for the first third of the race, until her contact fell out and she had to stop.  She encouraged me on, into the hills, but I felt demoralized.  How could I do my best without Elaine?  I ended up walking off and on through those hills until I recognized that I was the one running, that I had been keeping up with Elaine, and that I still felt strong.  I pushed it in for my season’s PB.  When I hear such thoughts now, and at other times of the day, I am better able to recognize that I likely have capabilities that I am not allowing myself to tap into. 

4)      It helps to have a place where everyone knows your name.  During X-Country practice, I got to share of myself and hear others’ stories in return.  We would talk – even sing – as we ran, which helped build up our lung capacity, but which also built a spirit of community.  Because we were runners, we knew what it meant to feel empowered and to respect our bodies.  I would turn to these wise young women for advice, support and commiseration.  With them, I always knew I would be welcome.

5)      I don’t run; I am a runner.  Many people can run, but not all of them will love it.  For not all of them will it become part of their identity.  I run because it is who I am.  I run because when I run I feel incredibly myself – honest and aware of where I am, and how I am living my life.  I am forced to acknowledge any anxiety I bring, or anger, or fear, or hurt.  I run to discover, and to know myself more deeply.  I run to meditate and reach that state where I am simply being and not processing.  Through running I discover a sense of easy companionship with myself.

I identify running as a spiritual practice for me, because it helps me become more grounded, more aware, and less self-focused.  I am grateful for all the places I have run, for the people I have run with, and for my ability to return to this life-affirming practice.   I hope that your practice – whatever it may be – also provides valuable life lessons and that it becomes a meaningful part of your identity. 

- Anastassia

The Meaning of Membership (CL)

At the December congregational meeting, the "Improving Congregational Meetings Committee" passed out index cards and invited people to submit questions regarding the budget, which Jackie Heimbuch and Rev. Fred answered. 

One question wasn't really related to the budget, but Rev. Fred held on to it, and passed it along to me to answer…

"What are the advantages of church membership or incentives for membership? Other churches charge more for workshops and classes for non-members. Can non-members still wear blue nametags? Why be a member if you still have all the privileges if you don't pledge?"

My ministerial portfolio includes working with the Membership Team, which has wrestled with this very question. The question poses some interesting points; it's true, we don't charge money for our classes, for children's Religious Exploration, or for most events. We allow non-members and visitors to take part in all of those activities free of charge. Why bother being a member?

Here are some of the practical reasons:

1. Members get to wear blue nametags.

2. Ministers will officiate weddings, unions, memorial services and baby dedications free of charge to members. Building rentals are free or very reduced-cost to members.

3. Most lay-leadership positions are reserved for members. You cannot chair a committee or serve on the Board of Trustees as a non-member.

4. Members shape the direction of the church. Members vote on the budget, Board elections, calling or ordaining a minister, approving capital campaign or building plans, etc.. Democracy is a pillar of our faith (Principle #5) and exercising the right to vote is an important way of being a part of this congregation. In addition, while everyone has their opinions, the leadership of the church (including the ministers) gives the perspectives and opinions of members more weight than those of non-members.

  5. Serving as a delegate to Joseph Priestley District Assembly or UUA General Assembly is a right reserved for members. As with voting on issues of importance to UUCA, voting on issues of importance to our larger faith tradition and organization is also a privilege.

But, more importantly, I believe the reasons to be a member of this faith community have less to do with practical and pragmatic reasons, and more to do with reasons of meaning, depth, and commitment.

Consider for a moment, the debate over Marriage Equality. Why, in states where Civil Unions are legal for same-sex couples, are people still fighting for Marriage Equality? For the most part, the pragmatic details are the same. But there is something deeper, something more meaningful about Marriage, and same-sex couples and their allies are fighting for the right to have Marriage, not just the pragmatic rights and privileges. When someone chooses to join this congregation as a member, they are entering into a committed relationship, a covenant, with this community (a little bit like a marriage). The benefits are nice, but the act of taking one's faith journey seriously, and committing to walk beside members of this church as we work toward creating the Beloved Community, and being recognized as doing so, these are the real reasons we join a church community.

The Unitarian Universalist Church of Annapolis is not a pay-for-service commodity.  It is not the grocery store or the movie theater. It is an organization which provides services constantly to those who need them, whether they are members or not, whether they are UU or not. Choosing to join in membership with us says, "I believe in what this church offers. I support all the work of the church, even the parts that don't pertain directly to me. I want to partner with those efforts, and I choose to support this community with my time, talents, energy, ideas, and money." 

We are so blessed to be a community of such diverse, loving, committed people. I appreciate all of you, and I know that membership is an honor and a responsibility that most of you take very seriously. Thank you for that… It is through your commitment that this place will continue to be here, for those who seek us in the future.