July 27, 2023

Something For the Moment

Profile Updates and Membership Renewals
Earlier this week you should have received an email from the UUMA asking you to update your profile. If you haven’t yet please take a moment to login and update your profile. This is also a great time to renew your membership if you are still needing to do that. 

Volunteer Opportunities in Good Offices, Collegial Development and the Ministerial Formation Network

• We have openings on our Good Offices for Right Relationship Team as well as our Dedicated Good Offices Team. We also have openings on our Collegial Development Team. Learn more about each opportunity and/or apply by clicking on the name of the team. All of these teams are by continental appointment, so it does not matter where you live. Please reach out to Melissa Carvill Ziemer with any questions.
• For anyone interested in supporting a new year of discernment and care for colleagues in the Ministerial Formation Network, send an email directly to MFN Program Manager, Michelle Favreault.

Something for the Journey
From Darrick Jackson, Director of Ministries for Lifelong Learning

A few weeks ago, I had lunch with friends who I had met during the pandemic. It was our first time meeting in person. After lunch, they shared their book, Authentic Fulfillment: Creative Practices, Stories, and Life Lessons. Both a memoir and self-help, they share how they found fulfillment in their lives. The book is an invitation to explore, see what resonates, and think about what fulfillment looks like for you. 

One of the practices they mention is a creativity lab. It is a weekly time of at least 15 minutes, where they play together, building off of existing improv forms or creating new ones inspired by the moment. The idea is to try things and see what works. We did a creativity lab while I was there, using a random piece of music to inspire a story song. It was a lot of fun, especially the opportunity to try something new without being overly concerned about the rules. We were just present with each other and our art.

I need more creativity labs in my life. It doesn’t have to be improv. It could be knitting and creating the pattern as I go or creating new rules for a favorite game. The goal is not to create something new but to try something and see how it feels. It does not have to be successful. It’s ok if you hate it. That just tells you what does not work for you. I hope that sometime this summer, you find time for a creativity lab. Just take a few minutes to play, have fun, and see what comes out of that moment. May it nourish your soul and strengthen you for the days ahead.

Something to Catch Up On

Neurodivergence Series available in the UUMA Store

In August of 2022, the UUMA and the UUA launched a joint project called Skill Up: Welcoming Neurodivergence in Our Congregations, a series of interviews and live Q&A to speak on neurodivergence, neurotypicality, and ableism. All sessions were recorded, and are available for purchase in the UUMA store either individually or as a package. Save 5% when you purchase as a package! These videos are excellent for staff or congregational training, chapter meetings, and a good starting point for deeper discussion.