by Kitty Merrill | Feb 7, 2019 | Minister, Services Past
I love the image of the Hindu god Indra’s net, stretching out in all directions, weaving the universe in place. At each intersection where the strands cross each other sits a glittering jewel, and each jewel reflects the light of every other jewel. So what happens to one jewel, happens to all.
A net or web is a good metaphor for a congregation the size we have become. There is no longer a center around which everything revolves. We remain as connected as ever, though it can feel a bit disconcerting because no one knows everything or everything that is going on. Not even – perhaps especially not even – the minister.
The many cross currents and groups and new initiatives in the church these days are varied and exciting. We have even found that our financial situation, while still a concern, is nowhere near as serious as we thought
last fall. A combination of staffing changes, new members and growing generosity is helping.
Our commitment to our homeless neighbors and to environmental justice remains strong.
The newest Action Team for Immigrant Rights has lit a fire in many hearts about the treatment of migrants at our borders. And meanwhile our Five For Five Force – the five-year vision task force made up of five dedicated souls – has been hard at work. At this phase much of that work has been a bit in the background. We’ve been compiling input from three congregational gatherings – two led by the Board of Trustees in September and January, and one led by 545 Force in October.
With all that input, we have come up with a very draft-y, working vision statement.
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Ventura gathers to:
• Invite connections and diversity
• Spark and nurture free journeys of spiritual growth
• Reach out to create a more just and loving community, in harmony with nature.
We do not intend this to be a final statement, just a guide for our visioning work, a framework around which we can build our vision for the next five years. These days are a fascinating time to be doing visioning work. We are as a congregation still living into the bold visions of the last decade. All the work we do – gathering together in worship, small groups, religious education classes and more, reaching out to heal the world beyond our
walls – all of it is adding to the sum total of love and justice in the world.
We are being the church in profound ways, and the world needs us now more than ever. Let us remember, too, the words of Howard Thurman. “Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what brings you alive, and go do that, because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”Let us think big, dream together, and come alive. For as we do, our aliveness will reflect in everyone else’s in Indra’s net and together we will bring forth more life and love.
With Love, Rev. Dana
by Admin | Jan 1, 2019 | Minister, Services Past
With the New Year I offer this refresher on my schedule, how
best to reach me, and other (hopefully) useful info.
My workweek is Saturday through Thursday. Friday is my day
off, Saturday is my writing day, and Sunday is, well, Sunday. After church
comes my standing date with Barzillai the Cat. I lie on the couch and he lies
on me. I scratch his ears; he purrs; I can even nap – a good arrangement.
I’m essentially on call 24 hours and 7 days a week.
It’s daunting, and I want y’all to know I also take
advantage of a flexible schedule. If I’ve got a meeting at night, I often won’t
come in till noon or later. I work 6 days a week, though if it’s ten hours one
day, it may be four the next.
I usually work about 45-50 hours a week. It’s been 60 or
more, though that is pretty rare. After a particularly long week, I’ll ease off
a bit the next.
I attend some, though not all, church events on Fridays.
When I do, I’ll make up for it another day.
The best way to reach me is email: rev.dana.worsnop@uuventura.org,
or on my cell phone (which is in the directory). If you need me quickly,
texting is best. In general, please don’t call or text on Fridays. And if you
email me late-ish on Thursday or a Friday, you make not get a reply until
Monday.
I also prefer not to be called or texted before 9am or after
9pm.
I trust you to figure out if your issue is urgent enough to
reach out on those days and other hours.
If you have an emergency, do not hesitate. If you cannot
decide if you have an urgency or an emergency, also do not hesitate.
I don’t hold specific office hours, though I usually can
make appointments within 2-3 days. The best days are Monday, Wednesday, and
Thursday.
We hold staff meetings on Tuesdays. Because we work on the
orders of service then, it’s best if you can have information in to Jennifer by
Monday afternoon.
A final note about Sundays – and this is true for all Sunday
staff. Sunday is our biggest day of the week. We know it’s a good time for you
to be in touch with us, though we can be tired and scattered. We may not be
able to answer your questions or even remember them on Monday. And we just
can’t get with everyone. So your patience is much appreciated.
I look forward to our new year ahead – with the whole
congregation and our wonderful staff team.
Happiest of New Years.
Love,
Rev. Dana
by Kitty Merrill | Jan 1, 2019 | Minister, Services Past
With the New Year I offer this refresher on my schedule, how
best to reach me, and other (hopefully) useful info.
My workweek is Saturday through Thursday. Friday is my day
off, Saturday is my writing day, and Sunday is, well, Sunday. After church
comes my standing date with Barzillai the Cat. I lie on the couch and he lies
on me. I scratch his ears; he purrs; I can even nap – a good arrangement.
I’m essentially on call 24 hours and 7 days a week.
It’s daunting, and I want y’all to know I also take
advantage of a flexible schedule. If I’ve got a meeting at night, I often won’t
come in till noon or later. I work 6 days a week, though if it’s ten hours one
day, it may be four the next.
I usually work about 45-50 hours a week. It’s been 60 or
more, though that is pretty rare. After a particularly long week, I’ll ease off
a bit the next.
I attend some, though not all, church events on Fridays.
When I do, I’ll make up for it another day.
The best way to reach me is email: rev.dana.worsnop@uuventura.org,
or on my cell phone (which is in the directory). If you need me quickly,
texting is best. In general, please don’t call or text on Fridays. And if you
email me late-ish on Thursday or a Friday, you make not get a reply until
Monday.
I also prefer not to be called or texted before 9am or after
9pm.
I trust you to figure out if your issue is urgent enough to
reach out on those days and other hours.
If you have an emergency, do not hesitate. If you cannot
decide if you have an urgency or an emergency, also do not hesitate.
I don’t hold specific office hours, though I usually can
make appointments within 2-3 days. The best days are Monday, Wednesday, and
Thursday.
We hold staff meetings on Tuesdays. Because we work on the
orders of service then, it’s best if you can have information in to Jennifer by
Monday afternoon.
A final note about Sundays – and this is true for all Sunday
staff. Sunday is our biggest day of the week. We know it’s a good time for you
to be in touch with us, though we can be tired and scattered. We may not be
able to answer your questions or even remember them on Monday. And we just
can’t get with everyone. So your patience is much appreciated.
I look forward to our new year ahead – with the whole
congregation and our wonderful staff team.
Happiest of New Years.
Love,
Rev. Dana
