Dear People’s people,
In early May, I participated in the installation of Rev. Aaron Stockwell Wisman at the Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church. In our tradition, an installation is the ceremony that recognizes and affirms the congregation’s call of a minister to serve them. Those of you who have been here for a while might remember the installation service for my ministry in May 2016. Those of you who have been here even longer might remember the installation of Jill McAllister or other previously called ministers at People’s Church.
At this installation, I was asked to offer the ‘charge to the congregation.’ This is a part of the ritual that offers advice and encouragement to the congregation. (It is parallel to a ‘charge to the minister,’ in which the clergyperson is given advice and encouragement.)
I wanted to share some of how I ‘charged’ the Grosse Pointe Unitarians, as I think it is good encouragement for any congregation in this moment:
‘Your first optional homework from me is to have more fun together. I’m assigning you 200% more fun. Maybe that’s a game night or a pickleball tournament or an all ages coloring party or having dress up days on Sundays. Wild socks day or favorite color day or everyone in tweed Sunday [the Grosse Pointe minister is known for his bright socks and fondness for tweed]. More ice cream or sweet summer corn or poetry or karaoke or water balloons. I don’t know what your fun is –but I know you do. Have fun. At least twice as much as you are having right now. Maybe Rev. Aaron is part of it. Maybe he’s not. This joy is for you. The world needs more joy desperately. We need to be joyful together desperately.
And then, as you’re having fun together, tell the truth about your life. Name what is hard and beautiful. Ask for help when you need it.
Asking for help is one of the quickest ways to build community. So when the hard times come, as they come for each of us, and you need someone to bring you a meal or give you a ride or mow your lawn or walk your dog or give you a rocking chair or just listen without trying to fix it, turn to each other. The connections that are made in fun are sustained by vulnerability. Telling the truth about what is hard and imperfect and letting others show up for you makes the burdens slightly less burdensome. That is religious community at its best.
And then, reach out. As you become more practiced at joy, truth telling and showing up for others in hard times, reach out. Who beyond the bounds of this religious community needs the joy and the care you can give? They might not be here yet, they might not ever come here for worship, but they still need what you have to offer – the joy and truth telling and care. Maybe it’s your neighbors. Maybe it’s other Unitarian Universalists. I don’t know. You will know. This work will take you to unexpected places. And it will be beautiful.
So to recap, good people of Grosse Pointe Unitarian Church, this is your entirely optional homework:
- Have twice as much fun, at least.
- Tell the truth about your life and ask each other for help when you need it. Offer help when you can.
- Once you have created a circle of joy, truth-telling, and care here, draw that circle as wide as you can.
You can do it. I believe in you. And know that there are small circles of like-hearted people doing this work alongside you. You are not alone and we’re all cheering you on.’
People’s people, if you need any optional homework this summer, feel free to join the Grosse Pointe Unitarians in having lots of fun,
See you soon,
Rev. Rachel