While thinking about the new church year, it occurs to me that it is not too dissimilar from our experiences of getting ready for a new school year. For some, that prospect was an exciting one of seeing old friends, making new friends, and meeting new teachers. For others, that prospect was a terrifying one of seeing classmates we did NOT want to see, not making a new friend, or meeting new teachers we would just as soon not meet. For most of us however, it was probably a mix, but mostly, it was the unknowns of a new school year and, except for a few certainties, not knowing what to expect.

Suffice it to say, I don't think we have to worry about “terrifying” experiences, the way we sometimes did when we getting ready to return to school. Researchers say, however, that the unknown can produce as much anxiety as the known can, even if that known is unpleasant. In answer to the question, “Are you ready for a new church year?,” “Ready for what?,” is a reasonable reply. Because the unknown can be anxiety producing, I thought I would offer some possible answers to the question, “Ready for what?”

First, for those who are, or who are becoming, responsible for how the churches functions, there is the usual church business. To guard against burnout, we must remember that “business” and “busyness” have the same word roots. Yes, important information needs to be shared and decisions made, but no one should be so busy that they can't “stop and smell the roses” once in a while. We have to help each other guard against the over-busyness of the next thing.

Second, I plan to encourage all of us to focus on the most important things as the true priorities. Thinking about the activities in any religious community, as Unitarian Universalists our fourth principle encourages us to engage in a “free and responsible search for truth and meaning.” I want to recommend this principle as one of our top priorities. The truths and the meanings we will discover are unknown to us right now. I hope and trust you will see this search as an exciting adventure.

It is my hope that we try new things this year. I have a sense that there is more in the way of opportunity for Michael Servetus Unitarian Society that while unknown and perhaps anxiety producing also produces results in our search for truth and meaning. It will be just fine if we are a little bit excited about the prospects. I know I am and I invite you on this adventure!

See you in church!

Dana

August, 2010

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