Minister's Musings
January 2012
The purpose of life is to grow a soul. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Every year at this time, people flock to the gym in the wake of freshly made new year’s resolutions. I am told it’s called the January Effect in the business. Starting now gyms all over the country find themselves inundated with well intentioned, out of shape folks hoping to improve their health and fitness in the New Year. Usually by February the flocks of new gym attendees thins out as people lose interest or become disillusioned with how hard it can be to lose weight and get in shape. It takes effort, focus and time.
In a very real way, the same can be said of one’s spiritual life. There is an old saying that “no one grows closer to God by accident.” If one wishes to find a more balanced, spiritual outlook – or simply find a greater sense of peace - it does not happen without some effort. It does not happen without embracing some daily or regular practice. Sometimes this is prayer. Sometimes this is meditation or devotional reading or journaling or playing an instrument or singing in the car or any of a host of other mundane activities. But it always requires some action, some level of intention. A good spiritual practice is a like a good gym routine: for either to work they must become a regular, habitual part of one’s life.
With that in mind, we will be offering an adult religious education program this winter on developing and practicing a devotional life. Instead of focusing on beliefs (we actually hope there will be a diversity of views present), we intend to focus on the actions – or mechanics – of developing a spiritual life, much like a dancer or singer would learn and then practice a technique. It turns out that there are several tried and true activities that have helped people down through the ages as they sought to cultivate a greater awareness of the sacred and what’s most important in their lives. As we put these methods into practice on a regular basis, we find our lives slowly altered and transformed, much in the same manner as one might experience a newfound level of fitness after working out for period of time. This process is what Emerson is describing in his epigrammatic statement quoted above. Part of life really does involve "growing a soul."
This winter presents many opportunities and challenges for the First Church as we continue with managing our largest renovation project in over 80 years. There is – and will be – a LOT to do in the coming weeks and months. Even so, winter is a good time to do some “inside” work. Information about the Cultivating Soul program can be found herein (page 2).
In the meantime, I wish you all a happy and healthy 2012. Here’s to new beginnings, great communities, good friends and timeless values.
February 2012
The following remarks were delivered by the Rev. Jeff Barz-Snell at the Community Celebration held on Saturday, January 21 in Salem. Some 70 church members were in attendance and a good time was had by all.
Perhaps it goes without saying, but typically you learn more about yourself on a journey than by
staying at home. The metaphor of the journey, or in the parlance of religion, the pilgrimage, is perhaps
the most basic narrative structure that exists. Going on a journey leads to knowledge not just
about the world but oneself as well. This is certainly true with the First Church in the last eight
months.
For the first time in a very long while, we find ourselves homeless (at least on Sunday mornings)
and relying on the gracious hospitality of our neighbors and friends. Our fellow travelers at the
First Universalist Society have been nothing but pleasant and accommodating. I have enjoyed
working with the Rev. Matty and members of their church and getting to know more folks in the
larger community. I think many of us have gained some insight into what we like about our tradition
and practices and perhaps a few things about parts of our practice that we might want to
change. There has been a delightful exchange of ideas and ways of being a UU church in the last
six months and I truly believe that both churches are the better for it.
There have been a variety of surprises along this journey that have required significant attention,
thought and effort. Lynn Taggart and the Project Management Team have spent the last five
months, week in and week out, wrestling with the never-ending array of cost changes and design
decisions with both grace and good humor. And along the way there have been many talented
members and friends who have stepped forward to pitch in at key moments, including those who
arranged for this party. This is a great community, one we can all feel proud of.
When we return to our home this spring, we should all realize that we, the current members of the
First Church, will have accomplished something that has only occurred a handful of times in the
last 383 years of our history - we will have refashioned a building that was handed down to us by
previous generations. We should feel proud of this accomplishment - and perhaps slightly relieved
it is over!
But more than that, we should feel proud and excited to be part of an open-minded and warmhearted
religious community that dared to find ways to let its cherished ideals ring out not just from
the pulpit, but from its newly configured walls and stairs and gardens and yes, even its heating system.
This is a church that has always attracted thoughtful folks committed to making an impact on their
world. The First Church has a longstanding practice of combining open theological inquiry and
social improvement. That is part of what our “walk together” is all about. Perhaps that is why we
have been a place over the last four centuries that welcomed colonists and revolutionaries, patriots
and privateers, social reformers and abolitionists, suffragists and scholars, and freethinkers and entrepreneurs.
We are a community that cherishes our traditions, but values progress and change for
the better.
The First Church finds itself renewed and reinvigorated with this project and each of you has a part
to play in this journey and in our ongoing story. I thank you for your good will and commitment to
support the work of this church in the days ahead.
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