Recently, my new year’s resolution is to pick a word for the year as a way to explore opportunity, intention and purpose. This year I started with capacity, and added invitation. I’d like to reflect on how those words helped me find a calling and a community at UUCP.
I was raised by secular religious parents who celebrated Christian traditions, identifying as Presbyterian with a touch of Russia Orthodox. We celebrated Christian holidays with abandon; including, the Orthodox ones that reminded my mother of her childhood. But over time, I became convinced all organized religion just caused more harm than good.
In the 1980s I attended an exercise class at UUCP (at that time the “C” was Church) run by someone just renting space. I still celebrated Christian holidays, but due to my aversion to religion I didn’t care to investigate who these UUs were. I didn’t have a word of the year back then – in hindsight, I needed the word curiosity.
Fast forward to the day a neighbor invited my husband and I to come and hear him sing in his church choir. Oof, church! We said a slow maybe, but avoided going. When asked again a few months later, we caved. We really liked that neighbor. That was 2013, and we attended UUCP regularly for 2 years –only on Sundays. I don’t think we even stepped into the Johnson Room for coffee hour. I don’t recall if we were invited to do so.
After 2 years, I was invited to explore membership. When I attended a Pathways to Membership class, I joined.That night, our then minister Rev. Susan asked if I would lead the caring team called Unicare. I said yes, not fully knowing what it was. Today, we’re the Caring Ministry Team and my heart is a witness to the value of a beloved community.
Caring about and for others has provided purpose for me throughout my life – in my healthcare career, as a hospice volunteer, helping parents and friends age and transition, and now serving at UUCP. Caring invites me deeper into understanding the ways love can look as we navigate this life together.
This year, I’ve been working on balancing my capacity with new invitations – finding joy when I can say yes, and resting when I need to say no. I am grateful for so many invitations, and for finding capacity when possible.
~ Victoria Myers
Editor’s Note:
Our regularly scheduled column, Notes From Your Dance Partner, will be on pause during Reverend Christine’s sabbatical. In its place, we’re excited to have a series of guest speakers who will be sharing their experiences at UUCP. NFYDP will return in August.