UU Adult RE Spirit in Practice

In what ways are you creative? 

I didn't inherit the artistic gene. My mother and my siblings draw pretty well. I draw well enough for Pictionary. I used to write poetry often but I'm out of practice. If you follow me on Twitter (@queenj) you may see some of my haikus from time to time. The first post for UULent2015 was a poem composed of haiku verses. Dramatic reading seems to suit me; I love to read parts for Sunday service when I can make it. Oh, and I sing a little.

When and where do you apply your inspiration, problem-solving, and sense of beauty? 

Sadly, inspiration is hard to come by these days. Crazy work schedule coupled with no time to connect to those who mean the most to me leaves me feeling depressed most of the time. It is a struggle to not write about doom and gloom. 

What creative processes do you engage in regularly?

I try to listen to the Universe. Instead of internalizing my problems, I see if the solution is "out there" somewhere. Occult practices require some creativity simply because of their nature. One can read tarot and use the accompanying book or one can feel the tarot.

I've thought about getting into some sort of knitting or crocheting. Anyone want to teach me?

UU Lent - Kindness

Random Act of Kindness Week was Feb 9-15 2015.
World Kindness Day is Nov 13 2015.

UU Lent - Beauty

Lilies are my favorite flowers. So beautiful.

UU Lent - Listen

House Made of Dawn Light by Douglas Spotted Eagle

UU Lent - Trust

My boyfriend of less than a month made a key for me to his house. He's mentioned doing it a few times before but I was apprehensive. I'm honored.

UU Lent - Home

Observable Universe
Virgo Supercluster
Local Group
Milky Way
Orion Arm
Sol
Earth
North Hemisphere
North America
United States
Maryland
county
city
neighborhood
street
number

Home.

UU Lent - Friendship

My 2 favorite cartoons stress friendship. My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic constantly shows how friendship is important. The series centers around 6 main (or mane!) characters. Usually one of them has a problem and refuses to get help which makes the problem worse. The other friends finally help and the original friend writes to the pony queen about the lesson.

The other cartoon is Winnie-the-Pooh. His best friend is Piglet who never turns Pooh away when he wants honey. Roo befriends a Hefflelump (elephant) in one of the movies. Pooh and the gang throw Tigger a party dressed like Tigger when it comes to light that he doesn't have a family.

International Friendship Day has several dates: July 30, Aug 2 or the 1st Sunday in Aug.

UU Lent - Hospitality

Hospitality - the friendly treatment of guests or strangers (Dictionary.com)

Every Sunday before service my church says a welcoming statement. We also invite any new persons to stay afterwards to have any questions answered. The coffee hour is new to me. After the service, there are snacks and coffee. Everyone mingles and talks about the service or what is going on in their lives.

UU Lent - Waiting

I'm still waiting to have another baby. It's been several years since my tubal reversal. Sometimes I fear that it's too late and the Mother phase of my life is turning into the Crone.

UU Lent - Notice

I want you to notice me like I notice you.

UU Lent - Practice

unitarian
"deist-buddhist-pagan-witch"
universalist

north east south and west
call the quarters, cast circle
i'm goddess and god

calming buddhist chants
nam myoho renge kyo
ding ding sound the chime

she's full of mercy
hail! om mani padme hum!
blessed sweet qwan yin

decisions aren't clear
pentacles, cups, wands, and swords
clarity ensues

is there a god? *shrugs*
who knows? is science proof? yes?
no? Schrodinger's cat

lunar cycle divine
new, waning, full, waxing, new
crescent and gibbous

7 principles
all congregations unique
everyone welcome

unitarian
"deist-buddhist-pagan-witch"
universalist

UU Adult RE Spirit in Practice #4

For this week's journaling, return to your memory of a meaningful communal worship experience, or think of a new one. Weddings and funerals count as well as Sunday services and special holiday observances. How do you think the presence of a community affected your meaningful experience?

-Chanting with a Nichiren Buddhist group. At first it was kind of weird but after I got used to it, there was something energetic about many people chanting together. We were encouraged to chant alone but it's not the same. I used to chant along with a youtube video. Again, not the same as chanting with real people and experiencing that energy in person and in real-time.

-UU Sunday service. I enjoy it most when the house band UU2 plays. Jehovah's Witnesses would never* allow secular music in their "churches" so I was pretty surprised when UU2 played Pink Floyd. Various members give their gift of song and music. I've been called on a few times to read the children's story or a passage with the worship theme. Music speaks to me so I'm quite happy that my UU congregation is musically inclined.

-Pagan family's ritual. This was the first time I participated in a pagan group ritual. I believe the family was Wiccan. After the ritual, we shared a vegetarian meal. The event occurred at the beginning of my new spiritual journey so I really didn't know what to make of it. However, I wouldn't mind participating in other group rituals even though I am a solitary.
My preference is to perform rituals and practice alone. However, I really enjoy sharing and learning from others in the UU community whether in person or online. I think both are necessary to have a complete spiritual practice.
What do you appreciate most about worshipping with a community? What are some things you can do - actions within your own power to accomplish - that would help you to experience worship more deeply?

I appreciate being part of the energy that comes with being in a community where you truly belong. For years after I was formally expelled from JW, I still occasionally attended the meetings. The last one I attending was their 2010 celebration of Jesus' death. It felt all wrong and I never went back again. That was truly the first step of my new spiritual journey. 

My goal for this year is to visit neighboring UU congregations. Since each congregation is autonomous, the worship and energy will be different in each one. I would also like to participate more in programs sponsoring by my home congregation; my work schedule prevents me from even attending regularly.