As I sit here in my Apartment Home, after just opening my blinds for the day, the sun is pouring through the windows on what promises to be a day with temperatures near 50 degrees! Wow! After what I am hearing has been one of the coldest, most snow-filled winters in some time, I am still so surprised by how much I have appreciated each snow fall, the shoveling out of my car, and choosing clothing for the winds and very, very cold temperatures almost with glee after being away from Wisconsin for over nine years. I have truly valued it all.
With still so much uncertainty happening in all of our lives, in this country, and around the world, how do we decide what to pay attention to and how to best care for ourselves, our families and each other as a faith community? With all of the 24/7 news coverage that pours in, in all of the forms we now receive news, which perspectives do you work to pay attention to? As important, when and how do we shut down our intake of it all, especially when moment after moment we may be encountering new and old forms of trauma that has needed, or will need deep care as we continue to move into what is next?
Does it feel to any of you as though we are somewhere in the beginning or middle of a bad dream? Even as First Church has been, and continues to be on the frontlines for more justice in all of its forms, and as Reverends Jennifer Nordstrom, Kimberlee Tomczak Carson and I work hard to be there with you, discerning which issue to give our attention to is no easy task. It is also true, that each of us, and all of you, see the world differently even as we aim to embody our common Values as Unitarian Universalists. The Values of Justice, Equity, Transformation, Pluralism, Interdependence and Generosity all centered in love, it is truly a spiritual practice listening to and honoring the different ways we all see the world and the times we are living.
For our March 22, 2026, worship services, let’s come together to explore the topic and theme for that day of “Do You See What I See: Paying Attention” to see if it may be possible to lean our way out of this “bad dream”, together, through what our living faith tradition has been and is offering us for such times as these!
Lastly, thank you to those who have connected with me to have tea, or a meal. I am sorry if I may have missed your email or phone calls to take me up on this. Please reach out again. The invitation to each and all of you still stands. Chat more soon. Sincerely,
Rev. Chris Long
Acting Assistant Minister