Director of Faith Development's Messages
May 7, 2012 - Finding Your Niche
Continued observations from the Interim Director of Faith Development...
They for use were made.
What's a sundial in the shade?
~Benjamin Franklin
It is timely to consider what our calling is as cherished members of this faith community. As I have written and spoken over the months, the question isn't if you will become involved in this beloved congregational life, but how you will. A faith community thrives and sustains itself when each and every member finds his or her unique way of giving. This stepping forward of each person is powerful to witness and even more powerful to be a part of. "Volunteering," while a serviceable word, doesn't begin to capture how one's identity is shaped by sharing one's gifts with others. The sharing of gifts is the art....finding the perfect medium, the right-sized form, the most appealing flavor of how each of us becomes a pillar of community life.
On the Faith Development Committee, this vision is concretized by the articulated goals of creating programming that maximizes engagement and joy in a sustainable, satisfying way. As you know, this has meant an open call for folks to join the pool of teachers for next year. And the programming will reflect the size of that pool. Skilled and inspired lay leaders are ready to match volunteer initiative with innovative programming.
Teaching is really just one aspect of our intergenerational community. There are many ways to connect yourself to the stream of learning and growing that happens at all ages. Do you have a skill, a craft, a passion? Do you like to dream? Do you like to "do"? Do you like to sit and talk or do you like to play Ninja? Do you want to be that friendly person who welcomes someone who walks through the UUCR for the very first time? Do you want to plan a party? Do you want to march for peace or cook for someone who is hungry? Do you want to belong?
Finding your niche -- that way and that place -- where you give of yourself, where you become known, where you come to be depended on and grow to depend on others is the pathway of belonging.
In faith,
