Wintertime in Wisconsin!!! Just two days ago, I opened the blinds in my apartment home to a fresh layering of snow on the cars, trees, and on the ground. Before I could blink twice, child-like giggles popped up from within me to much delight. Being back in the upper Midwest for the first time in nine years to experience winter has been more than a pleasant surprise that my mind, body and being truly missed this time of year here.
As a church community we engage in monthly practical and spiritual themes drawn from the Soul Matters curriculum. February’s theme is “resilience”. What comes to mind when you read the word resilience? Do you consider yourself to be a resilient person, or are there other people in your immediate circles that exemplify, or embody how you define resilience? In the current realities of our personal lives, and with the state of the nation and world as they are, how might we all continue to work towards more clearly defining what resilience means in our own lives, and as a religious community?
Like many of you, I have endured many situations across the span of my life where working to cultivate practical and spiritual resources to better cope with the realities of my very existence has been no easy task, especially in the heat of the moment so to speak. When life has thrown me curve balls of ailments within my body, the loss of an old job, and experiencing the deaths of personal, and ministry related ones, where do I, or we, turn during such times? How might we continue to build upon our current resilience treasure chest? Additionally, how might we share some of our resources with each other, especially now with all that is going on?
During our worship services on February 22, 2026. Join me, Reverend Kimberlee (Minister of Faith Formation), Tristan Strelitzer (Choral Director), our Chancel Choir, and Katie Kegel, our Worship Associate for the day as we explore the topic and theme of “Fortifying our Resilience” through art, beauty and ancestral wisdom.
As I begin to close this month’s Curiosities and Musings, I would like to share these personal gems that help to bring me a bit more groundedness as I, we, journey:
“Won’t you Celebrate with Me” By Lucille Clifton
“Can Fire in the Park” By Beauford Delaney
“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” By Diana Krall
Rev. Chris Long
Acting Assistant Minister