Being engaged and committed to UUCP allows me to be my authentic self. UUCP has been and continues to be a workshop for me to work on me. Every activity and engagement with UUCP affords me the opportunity to gain knowledge, perspective, richer values, and a diversity of experiences.
UUCP represents 13 years of a 20 year covenant with Unitarian Universalism. Over the years, I have been immersed in small groups, religious exploration, service activities, camp, and leadership. Each engagement has represented various levels of commitment over different periods of time. And none are more important or impactful than another. I have learned who I am based on my deeply held values by practicing interpersonal encounters in the safe environment that exists at UUCP. These practices and learning opportunities have occurred inside, outside, online, in person, standing, talking, acting, presenting, writing, reading, etc. Every bit of practice helped solidify practices that could be confidently repeated in situations beyond our campus.
I have the privilege to work in academic medical research, surrounded by highly trained, intelligent individuals. On the whole, we all get lost in our intellectual world. And recalling simple lessons learned from our youth, our ministers, our members brings new social perspective to meetings with my team, the college, and the field. As an example, I start meetings with a check-in question to humanize the situation and frequently pause meetings to consider all perspectives – especially those not represented in the room. In a broader context, I find that the deep – often short – conversations often held at UUCP help me connect with strangers so that a brief engagement can be memorable, rather than fleeting.
Everyday I am an ambassador for UUCP and humanity, because the warmth of community allows me to live authentically. I wish the same upon you.
~ Jonny Lifshitz
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.