Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington, VA
A diverse, welcoming community of open hearts and minds since 1948
Joy and woe are woven fine. Uncertainty too
On St. Patrick’s Day Eve, I got to babysit for my grandson. His parents, my son and
daughter-in-law, left him in the care of another for the very first time since
his birth a month ago. I would like to tell you that they went out to a
romantic dinner without the baby, but in truth they went to a wake. Their
friend had died unexpectedly at the age of 40 from an undiagnosed heart
condition. He was a bartender and Irish. When Galen and Leigh came back, they
told me that the line to pay respects to the family had stretched outside the
funeral home and down the street.
But I had had a marvelous time while they were gone, whispering theology to Baby Quin, dancing him around the house,
re-remembering how to swaddle an infant. During these two hours and the many I
spent that week with my grandson, I became deeply familiar with the heft of his
body, learning the rhythms that most often worked to soothe him through his
hard work of getting acclimated to this new world of his.
“How strange that the first time I left my baby with a sitter, it was to go to a wake,” Leigh mused when they returned.
That’s how life is, full of endings that are sad and beginnings that are joyous, and some endings, beginnings and
middles that are all joy and sorrow muddled up together. And though it may seem
odd to talk of ministries beginning and ending in the same breath with birth
and death, these were the thoughts that came to mind last week as I held my
grandchild, contemplating what may be before me: ending my ministry at UUCA and
taking up a ministry at First Parish in Brewster, Massachusetts, where JD and I
are being recommended to the congregation to be called as co-ministers. If the
congregation in Brewster chooses to affirm the choice of its Search Committee,
I will be very glad to be embarking on a co-ministry with my beloved, JD. And I
will be very, very sad to be leaving all the promise and the present that are
UUCA.
This
time of waiting is hard. Are we saying goodbye, or not? Are we rejoicing at the
birth of a new ministry, or not? Dear UUCA community, I look forward to being
with you this spring season in the uncertainty, and in whatever transitions are
before us -- as opportunities for growth and transformation, and for the deepening
that may come with tears that are shared.
Comment
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Comment by Shaida Johnston on March 28, 2010 at 4:32pm -
I just saw JD at ERUUF as I am visiting Durham, NC as I often do. I got to wish her good luck in person. I wish you too best of luck and a congregation that knows who they are and reflects that back to you in a soul-satisfying way every day. Peace on your journeys.
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Comment by Erica Clark on March 27, 2010 at 1:20pm -
Janet and I wish you all the blessings of good cheer. Mary, you have been a guiding light with your wise counsel and understanding. The softness with which you approach life and the undeniable strength of your character buoy all of us in your universe. What a perfect place for you to be with JD and in close proximity to your precious grandson and his parents.
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Comment by June Herold on March 26, 2010 at 9:07am -
"Begin the day with love in your heart, peace in your nerves, and
truth in your mind, and rejoice in their presence and celebrate. Share them with all who cross your path - every day." And so you have, Mary, in the Arlington leg of your journey. And what remains behind in us is gratitude, the heart's memory. Here's to the present and future of the love that you and JD travel together in.
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Comment by Gary Bogle on March 24, 2010 at 12:41pm -
As sad as I am for our loss of Mary and JD, I am even happier and more excited for our sister church in Brewster, MA! You will be well cared for, Brewster. Good luck, Mary and JD, and visit often.
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Comment by Frank Corsoro on March 22, 2010 at 6:44pm -
Mary, my heart was breaking when you announced yesterday that you may be leaving UUCAVA soon. The love you and JD share for one another must be a spiritual bond so great that you have found your heaven on earth. You will be missed. But you will be in our memories forever.
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Comment by Diane Ullius on March 21, 2010 at 8:36pm -
Mary, you are and have been such a blessing to us! And you and JD will be a blessing to First Parish if/when the two of you receive the call there. These liminal times--the in-between times, the times of waiting, the times of transition--are perhaps especially sacred times in all our lives. I thank you for bringing endings and beginnings together so clearly for us in your blog. May we all move forward with open hearts and with minds full of curiosity.
Diane
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Comment by Judy King on March 21, 2010 at 3:16pm -
Oh! I am so sorry and surprised to read this.
Your deep dedication to healing and uplifting has inspired us.
Your gentle strength has encouraged us to call forth our own strengths too.
If you go, you will surely be missed!
On the other hand, how lovely for you and J.D. to work together in a co-ministry!
I can imagine how satisfying that would be. Good wishes!
Judy
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