Our theme for November is Attention. And the suggested question to ask ourselves is “What does it mean to be a people of Attention?”  As Unitarian Universalists, we seem to pay attention to a lot. A constant challenge in ministry is to figure out where to focus attention, when one feels called to respond in so many directions. I imagine many of you find that to be the case in your everyday lives, as well.

It occurred to me that over the last year or so, I’ve been asking myself to what am I paying attention?  What are the things that bring me joy? When do I notice that I feel most alive and engaged? The first answer, with my family, especially my grandchildren, comes quickly. Now that I know how fast children grow and change, I am intent on being present to enjoy as many of the special moments as possible.  Another place I feel alive and engaged is when we are working together in our shared ministry at UUCP.

You may remember the famous line from Alice Walker’s The Color Purple, “I think it pisses God off if you walk by the color purple in a field somewhere and don’t notice it.”  UU minister, Rev. Sean Dennison, writes, “The ability to see beauty is the beginning of our moral sensibility. What we believe is beautiful we will not wantonly destroy.”

As we look around at destructive forces in our world today, it’s hard not to feel pulled in many directions. As we begin to focus on our mission, and how and what we do to connect and contribute to something greater than ourselves, I am reminded of the words of Howard Thurman. “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive, and then go and do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”

I hope to see us all pay attention to what makes us come alive as a congregation committed to Celebrating Diversity, Striving for Justice and Inspiring Love.  I’m convinced the world needs us.

In Love and Hope,
Rev. Alice