Got an idea for the summer at church?

Beloveds,

In these relentless times, I keep returning to one of my favorite questions rooted in the wisdom of Frederick Buechner: Where does your deep gladness meet the world’s deep need?

As we sink into the long haul ahead of us to salvage democracy, the world’s needs are daunting. So I’ve brought this question to meetings with some of you over the last weeks. And each time there has been a sigh of relief. The room settles. A different set of possibilities emerges with this question, when we allow our gladness to be our guide alongside the endless needs within and around us.

What do you love to do as the weather warms in Minnesota? How do you play? What do you want to learn? What nourishes your aliveness? In other words, what brings you gladness? And do you want to facilitate some form of that gladness for a group of fellow church members at First U?

I’ve heard mumblings of a possible book group focused on children’s stories of hope. I’ve heard about trainings to teach cisgender church folks how to more joyfully (and effectively) welcome and celebrate trans beloveds. I’m thinking about leading a group around different roles in social change movements to help us each identify our own lane (yes, I find nerdy gladness in this stuff!).

As we plan our summer program calendar, this is what I hope you will help us build:  opportunities to grow our gladness as we meet the needs that are exponential. This is what makes the work of revolution at hand sustainable not just for a season or an administration, but for a lifetime of transformation.

If you have a seedling of a program idea, reach out to me at ashley [at] firstuniv.org. If you are ready to rumble, submit your idea to our summer program guide team here by May 18th.

In gladness,

Rev. Ashley