Because our worship theme for March is Sanctuary, I’ve been thinking about that concept a lot, particularly these past view days since we were asked to be a place of safety for one particular person–not emotional safety, not spiritual safety, but basic physical safety. In hearing about this person’s circumstance, thinking about what they faced, I realized how relatively lightweight my connotation of the word safety is. How often when I use the word safety what I actually mean is comfort. Not so long ago, when images of Syrian refugees filled the news, poet Warsan Shire’ poem ‘Home’ got passed around social media. It is a gritty, graphic poem: “no one leaves home unless
home is the mouth of a shark…no one puts their children in a boat unless the water is safer than the land…how do the words the dirty looks roll off your backs maybe because the blow is softer than a limb torn off…the insults are easier to swallow
than rubble, than bone, than your child body in pieces.”

Freshly picked Oranges from a UUFSCer’s tree.
I’ve heard that when you are having a difficult time, it is actually helpful to think about people who are struggling with even more difficult circumstances– not in a “I shouldn’t feel this way, others have it so much harder” way. But in a way that gives you perspective and context—that allows you to connect with the strength and resiliency of the human spirit. Sanctuary means safety…and after the past two days, I am painfully reminded how blessed with safety and sanctuary my life is.
I look forward to worshipping with you all this Sunday: Belonging–A core human need is to belong– we honor our own sense of belonging here at UUFSC and welcome new members as they begin their journey of belonging here. Worship leaders: Rev. Darcy, Haruko DeArth, and Sabine Klein.
After church, I hope you will join our Spiritual Formation and Religious Education team in the Sanctuary- they will be sharing more about the research and exploration they have been doing in re-imagining how the church approaches the moral and spiritual formation of our children (and frankly, of our adults too!).
Also, I will be taking part II of my parental leave beginning tomorrow, Monday March 5th and will be back in the church office Tuesday May 1st. I’ll start back up with my weekly reflections when I return!