|
What it means to be a congregation
A few weeks ago, I was struck by a reading in the Rosh Hashanah prayer book. It’s so relevant to our beloved congregation that I’m quoting it here:
“What does it mean to be a congregation? It means to care about each other. Pray? We pray at home. We come together as a congregation to share our lives, to be part of a community— past, present, and future. In ancient days, Rabbi ben Levi decided to question one of his disciples: ‘How is Moshe Jacob doing?’ The disciple didn’t know. ‘What!’ shouted the Rabbi, ‘You don’t know? You pray under the same roof, you study the same texts, you sing the same songs and yet you dare to tell me that you don’t know whether Moshe Jacob is in good health, whether he needs help, advice, or comforting?’ Here lies the very essence of our way of life: every person must share in the life of others, and not leave them to themselves, either in sorrow or joy.”
Wouldn’t it be amazing if each of us could answer that question for, let’s say, 6 more people in our congregation than we can now, even 3 more people? The Sidekick’s initiative is one way of beginning to expand the number of people for whom we can answer that simple question, “How are they doing?”
Caring for each other is not a passive activity. It requires intention, certainly time, commitment, authentic curiosity, and deep listening.
One of the ways the Board is trying to do that is by spending more time with our “check in”. Often this component of the meeting is the first thing to go when the agenda is full. And yet, if relationships are the most important part of the work as we live into our mission, then a deeper more authentic check-in is the last item that should be removed from the agenda. For that matter, it seems to me that building relationships, sharing in the lives of others, IS the business of the Board.
I’ve also been concerned about the noticeable gap between the work of the Board and the congregation. While as individuals, we each know and are known by any number of other people involved with UUCSC, it seems to me that the work of the board - what we think about, our priorities, how our governance model is shifting – isn’t really known. So, I’d like to begin having periodic chalice-side chats after services hosted by Board members.
On November 12, Rev. Denis and I will co-host an informal conversation following services, starting with the question: Think of a moment in your time with UUCSC that was especially inspiring, exciting, or meaningful to you. We’ll share together these inspirational moments which will lead to other questions, and we will listen to each other. Deeply. Listening, not to respond, or to judge or to question - just to feel into the heart of each other. Perhaps through these chalice-side chats, the Board could become the “Sidekick” to the congregation! Stay tuned for more information. We hope you will join us.
Affectionately,
Nancy
| 
