From DLRE: August 13, 2021

On Asking 

I must confess something to you all: I have a weakness. It’s not kryptonite. It’s not fire, the lack of water, nor the color yellow. My weakness is admitting when I need help. And connected to this is then asking for help.  

I like to think of myself as an independent person, and a very capable one at that. I’m pretty organized and manage my time fairly well. Which means that I should be able to tackle anything that gets thrown at me with some confidence, no? Well, yes, most of the time. 

As I celebrate 25 years as a religious educator this month, I should be feeling assured about recruiting volunteers and setting up classrooms and all for the coming church year. This year is quite different as we all know. And so I am feeling a little less confident, a bit more reluctant too. With so many unknowns still concerning the pandemic, planning ahead doesn’t feel quite right, and yet plan ahead I must. 

And so I am asking for your help.  

As you hopefully know by now, the Faith Formation Force (including Rev. Eileen and I), is planning for multigenerational Sunday mornings at UCE with worship followed by a faith formation hour. We are so excited to be on this adventure! We have gotten wonderful feedback from many of you saying, “This sounds awesome!” And while it is exciting, it is also a bit scary. Trying new things is risky. But the payoff can be incredible! 

What I need help with is for your willingness to play an active role – to practice shared ministry. Our vision is for more interaction between the ages – not just parents helping and working with children and youth, but older adults working and helping young people, youth working and helping young people and adults, and young people working with and helping others as well. 

There will be many ways to do this, such as: 

  • Share your talents – whether it’s art, music, dance, poetry, or a spiritual practice – we want a variety of people to co-lead small groups during the faith formation hour, and to share their talents in worship. 

  • Share your passion for social justice and action – what causes are you involved in, both within UCE and in the larger community? Would you co-lead an activity to involve others in your passion to make the world whole? 

  • Share your care – help in the nursery or preschool room. Our youngest members need you to get to know them too! 

  • Share your knowledge and learn even more – help with other groups of young people on the first and/or third Sundays during the faith formation hour. You won’t miss the worship service by doing so either! 

  • Share your thoughts – there will be a way to give us feedback over the next few months, as well as your ideas on any of the above. 

Now that my weakness has been revealed, please be patient and kind. And if you can answer my call for help, send me an email or give me a call. Or if you aren’t sure how to share your talents, passions, care, or knowledge, I’ll be happy to help you figure it out. With the Faith Formation Force to support and guide us, we can so this! 

In Faith, 

Kathy 

2021-08-12T16:13:30+00:00

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Unitarian Church of Evanston

A Unitarian Universalist Congregation

1330 Ridge Ave
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uce@ucevanston.org

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