[Firstumemo] Memo: "Coming Back"

Wed Apr 26 09:50:49 CDT 2006

M I N I S T E R’ S  M E M O
“Coming Back”

I would like to nominate as “the plant most likely to survive a nuclear
winter” the amaryllis we just found in our basement. Given to us as a
Christmas gift in 2004, I finally got around to taking it out of its box in
March of 2005. It had apparently made several vain attempts to take root in
the confines of its sealed cardboard package. Its leaves and roots were
cramped and twisted. I hurriedly set it in soil and watered it faithfully.
It forgave me its early abuse and put forth a lovely red flower. And I
assumed that was the end of the story.
So a year ago, I put it in our dark cellar to recycle the pot. Yesterday my
husband was in the basement when an odd shade of green caught his eye in a
dark corner. There was the amaryllis, without light or any water, sending up
three tall leaves (over 12 inches tall, I measured.) What was that bulb
thinking. No light. No water. “This is an auspicious time to venture forth?”
We have now, ever so tenderly, placed this survivor plant in a sunny window
and drenched the dry dirt with lots of water. What’s going on in that little
bulb brain now?? Heaven? Resurrection? I told you so? Whatever the power of
spring is to send weeds through concrete and tree roots through asphalt
sidewalks, the forces of return and regeneration loose in this plant are
powerful. Even in “less than hospitable circumstances,” life persists. And
the risks of setting out fragile blossoms and new leaves appears to be a
winning strategy in New England this week. Life comes back, over and over
again.
Many of you have asked me how it is to “come back” after my sabbatical. And
the answer is quite sincere: “It has been wonderful to return to this
community.” I have so much more energy than when I left in January. In my
time away, I was able to put my house in order (getting ready for upcoming
medical procedures.) I was able to return to my own spiritual wells (places
of refreshment and renewal.) And I was able to get a much better
professional perspective on this church: what we do well and where we are
being currently challenged.
I am seeing this place, “as if for the first time.” In T. S. Eliot’s famous
words:
With the drawing of this Love
and the voice of this Calling
We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time.
I have only been back a week. And this is what I am seeing (a brief
sampling):
*         I returned Saturday, April 8th, for the Fabulous 50’s Show, the
benefit for research in epilepsy ($3,000 was raised.) David Blodgett and
Chris Johnson, and a cast of dozens and dozens of church members put on a
spectacularly wonderful and energizing and fun event. The church is a place
where people are not afraid to be silly, not afraid to try new things, not
afraid to sing and dance!
*         Monday Night at the Church hosted a larger than usual dinner,
inspired in part by Ken Waugh and Carmen Castellanos’ delicious cooking.
*         The Maundy Thursday Communion Service, April 13th, took our
Christian tradition seriously.
*         The Seder Service on Saturday, April 15th, took our Jewish
tradition seriously. The hard work of Martie Abeles-Young, Harvey Green, and
Richard LaPrade (and so many others) created a moving and nourishing ritual
meal.
*         There was a Swing Dance in Unity Hall that evening! (Over at
midnight.)
*         At 3:00 a.m., April 16th, the Easter Sunrise Breakfast crew, led
by Harold Stevens, began preparation to feed over 100 of us at 6:15 a.m.
*         At 5:45 a.m. Easter morning, 16 readers, 4 musicians and a large
congregation gathered at Bancroft Tower to welcome the rising sun.
*         The Easter floral arrangement on the altar in the Sanctuary by a
devoted friend of the Church, Meredith Pasky, was breathtaking; white roses
and white tulips and white lilies. The only time I have seen such beautiful
artistry on the theme of Easter and resurrection was Meredith’s arrangement
last Easter.
*         The Gustavson family stepped in to provide a sumptuous
after-church Easter fellowship hour.
What I am seeing, as if for the first time, is what happens when a religious
community invites people to bring forth their gifts and talents. As
Universalists we are firmly committed to the principle that every child of
God has gifts and talents. And we are also, every one of us, spiritually
speaking, deaf, dumb and blind (to use Jesus’ language.) We are all in need
of grace, forgiveness and mercy.
The Auction Committee, the Garden Committee, the Environmental Committee are
all busy this spring suggesting ways for you to contribute your energies. I
hope you’ll say “yes.”
As we move close to one another in this community, as we take needed breaks
and sabbaticals, may you experience, as I have, that at the time of return
you will be warmly welcomed. The life of the spirit moves us inevitably
towards the light.

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