The month of March proved to be one where RVUUFians gathered together for more times than at a Sunday morning service. For example, Chalice Circles with 10-12 people met often during the weeks, a Saturday planning day included 45 people who chose to spend their time and energy on behalf of the whole congregation, a UU history class for those who couldn’t attend the class on a Sunday was offered, and a service of healing was held on a Friday evening where 15 people supported each other with compassionate care and love. On top of that, numerous committees met during week days around a table to plan and participate in trying to help RVUUF function in healthy, productive and meaningful ways.

That only begins to name a few gatherings of RVUUF. When I think about all the activity and opportunities to gather together as RVUUFians I find it difficult to focus only on Sunday mornings. It is clear to me that RVUUF is more than a Sunday morning gathering.

When thinking about what RVUUF means to many people the reference goes quickly to what happens on a Sunday morning especially the worship service and Religious Exploration classes. Thanks to the newly formed neighborhood teams the support in getting ready for the 10:30 a.m. service has awakened minds, hearts and hands to all the numerous tasks needed just to open the doors. Yet whatever happens during that worship service, after more hours than can be counted to prepare for, what seems to matter is what happens before and after and in-between time including a meeting on Wednesday or a gathering on Friday or a discussion at the coffee pot on Monday morning. RVUUF is more than Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m. In what ways do you experience RVUUF gathering outside of the Sunday morning service and what meaning does it bring you to think about RVUUF in this way?

I’ve been told by numerous people that the Social Justice and Action team presented a wonderful service around the topic of water on March 22, which was World Water Day. This is the beginning of the Commit2Respond campaign UU congregations across the country are focusing on during Climate Justice Month and as a way to prepare for General Assembly in Portland, Oregon in June. This campaign ends on April 19 celebrating Earth Day and I will include in that service welcoming new members as they sign the membership book and as I speak about The Nature of Belonging.

The intention of Commit2Respond’s Climate Justice Month is to take you through a transformative spiritual process leading to long-term commitments to climate justice. At the end of the month you will be asked to SHIFT to a low carbon future, ADVANCE human rights, and GROW the movement. Learn more and start thinking about how you will Commit2Respond to climate change.

One simple way is to sign up to receive a daily email with a beautiful devotional reading, a practice and a resource to focus your awareness on your relationship with the earth. If you want to receive every Climate Justice Month daily message in your email inbox go to www.commit2respond.org and sign up. You can read past daily messages by clicking here.