WSUU Mid-Week Connection 
April 15, 2020 

A love note and 
a blessing for this time 

  Dear Ones:

While our taxes may not be due today, this month has been taxing for many of us.

I invite you take this moment right now to breathe in and breathe out. Again.  Again.  You are beloved, no matter what you do or do not accomplish.  You are beloved, no matter how lonely or unlovable you may or may not feel.  

You are beloved in this moment and the next and the next and the next.

I offer you now this blessing from the poet Jan Richardson, a blessing which has sustained me through many struggles:

Blessing When the World is Ending

This blessing
will not fix you,
will not mend you,
will not give you
false comfort;
it will not talk to you
about one door opening
when another one closes.
It will simply
sit itself beside you
among the shards
and gently turn your face
toward the direction
from which the light
will come,
gathering itself
about you
as the world begins
again.

May you know rest and the presence of love, beloveds.  I hold you in my heart.
 
In faith,
Rev. Deanna Vandiver
Bridge Minister, WSUU
Affiliated  Community Minister for Love and Liberation, CFL

May you enjoy these invitations into an embodied practice with Rev. Denise Graves, a daily gratitude practice by Hailey Bartholomew, a writing prompt for creative practice from Anastacia-Renee and the Hugo House, and more resilience resources this week.
Rev Denise Graves
Embodied Practice

The Rev. Denise Graves of Peace Ministry offers us another gift this week from her home in New Orleans -  Stick Qigong, 4 of 16 movements for well-being.

Click here to join Rev. Denise in this generous healing embodied practice, joining in whatever part of it is available to you.
Daily Mindful Gratitude Practice

Hailey Bartholomew shares her experience with a daily gratitude practice and how it shifted her understanding of her life in the 365 Grateful Project.  You are invited to watch this movie short and explore what this practice might mean for you.
Creative Practice

Enjoy this short (1:10) invitation from Hugo House to Write at Home with Anastacia-Renee' -  a multi-genre writer, educator, and interdisciplinary artist who is scheduled to lead worship at WSUU later in the spring:

More Resilience Resources:

A locally created gem:  Yes! Magazine  -  solutions reporting spotlighting
ideas and initiatives of people building a better world.

A collection of mindfulness and compassion practices shared by Tara Brach, author of Radical Compassion and Radical Acceptance.

Reach out to our Bridge Minister to be connected with our Pastoral Care Team by e-mailing Rev. Deanna at minister@wsuu.org

Westside's Congregational Care Clusters have been organized geographically to offer each other maximum support during this time of physical distancing. Please choose to connect with your cluster and make sure you share your needs and resources with each other.

Feeding your spirit, expanding your mind, working for justice
Westside UU Congregation | www.wsuu.org  |206.935.0418 | office@wsuu.org