We are a people of practice

A few weeks ago, a new invitation popped up on repeat on my calendar with this title: “FCC COP.” I have to admit that the title took me aback. I knew what FCC stood for—it was Facilitating Cultural Change—a week-long training on how to build Beloved Community through the lens of intercultural development. The training and follow-up sessions emphasize meeting people (including ourselves) where we are and encouraging the joyful work of life-long learning so that we can connect more fully in relationship with others and create communities of mutual thriving. Surely I had not signed up for a role as FCC COP, that would be antithetical to the whole premise underlying the training. 

A few moments later, the second part of the acronym became clear to me. COP stood for Community of Practice. The invitation welcomed me into an experience I’ve longed for ever since I took the initial Facilitating Cultural Change training. Between lay leaders and church staff, there are about a dozen of us who have completed the FCC training, and as is true with many trainings, the real impact comes later when you put the learning into practice in real life settings. This Community of Practice that is meeting monthly will share individual and collective learnings with a skilled facilitator as we discern together where and how we can support First Universalist in practicing Beloved Community even more fully than we do now. I have no interest in policing anyone, especially as we learn and grow in vulnerable and powerful ways. I am very interested in being in a lovingly accountable community where I am reminded of my individual—and our collective—intentions and aspirations, where I’m offered the tools and skills that will help me and us live into those aspirations, and where we can work together and celebrate our successes and learn from our mistakes. 

Here at First Universalist, you are invited into a community of faith grounded in our Universalist heritage that names each and every person as whole, holy, and worthy, welcome and wanted, all of us with room to grow at every stage of our lives. Grounded in experiences of unconditional love, we are transformed individually and collectively as we practice Beloved Community that creates a world of mutual thriving for us all. You are also invited into a Community of Practice. A Community where we can and will make mistakes. A community where we can and will learn from success and failures. A community where we are stronger because of our differences and our world is more joyful and beautiful because of our relationships.

This October, we move together into our shared monthly theme: We are a people of practice. I can’t wait to learn and explore with you.

In gratitude,

Rev. Jen

P.S. Look through our Fall Program Guide and find a small group where you can connect and deepen here in community: