Listening With the Heart
by Gary Kowalski
Maybe prayer doesn’t mean talking to God at all.
Maybe it means just listening.
Unplugging the TV, turning off the computer,
Quieting the mental chatter and distractions.
Maybe it means listening to the birds
And the insects, the wind in the leaves, the creaking and groaning of the trees,
Noticing
Who else is out there, not far away but nearby;
Sitting so still we can hear our heartbeat,
Watch our breath, the gentle whoosh of air,
The funny noises from our own insides,
Marveling at the body we take so much for granted.
Maybe it means listening to our dreams,
Paying more attention to what we really want from life,
And less attention to all the nagging, scolding voices from our past.
Or maybe it’s all about listening to each other,
Not thinking ahead to how we can answer or rebut or parry or advise or admonish,
But actually being present to each other.
Perhaps if we just sit quietly we’ll overhear a peace whispering through the centuries
That’s missing from the clamor of the moment.
Maybe prayer means listening to the silences between the words,
Noticing the negativity of space,
The vast, undifferentiated and nameless wonder
That underlies it all.
Maybe prayer doesn’t mean talking to God at all,
But listening with the heart,
To the angel choirs all around us.
Those who have ears,
Let them hear.
Next Service
August 2 at 11:00 am
“Favorite Things”
Led by: Ann Green
This is the service when we share our favorite things. Please bring your favorite thing, or a picture of it, to share. Let Ann know that you want to participate!
In person at UUCEL or live on Facebook.
Announcements
August 2nd is Favorite Things Sunday: It’s all about what we love. Bring your favorite thing or a picture of it, and say why it’s important to you – or, someone could speak for you. It’s a time to learn about each other! Please let Ann know if you want to participate.
Choir Rehearsal: The UUCEL Choir is practicing on August 2nd and August 9th from 10:15 am to 10:45 am, before the service. We plan to sing at the August 9th service. All voices welcome!
Jackson County Immigrant Coalition: Many members of the congregation have expressed interest in joining the JCIC. Due to the nature of the coalition’s work with vulnerable people, the first step to getting involved is to fill out a secure vetting form. Please visit the JCIC linktree to access that form: https://linktr.ee/Jackson_County_For_Immigrants (the form is the second link from the top). Feel free to explore the other helpful links on the page.
A New UU Hymnal! Our two printed hymnals have old favorites, but the UUA has a new hymnal and it’s not printed; it’s online! Sing Out Love is a collection of music for services that includes some old favorites and many new selections, with more being added all the time. And you have access to it. Go to singoutlove.org/song-library, log in with the ID uuliberty@gmail.com and the password Eliberty1856. Make a suggestion for what you’d like to sing at church!
Worship Committee seeks speakers: Do you have an idea for a service, or a willingness to take us on your spiritual journey? Or do you know someone in the community who would? Please contact Darrin Palmer or another member of the Worship Committee. They are happy to help create a Sunday Service!
Social Mission Designee:
The Social Mission Designee for the 1st quarter is the Jackson County Immigrant Coalition (JCIC). JCIC are friends, families, and neighbors united in protecting & supporting our Jackson County immigrant community through allyship, education, and activism. Please give by using the donate button on our website or by contributing with a check with Jackson County Immigrant Coalition in the memo.
Minister’s Schedule:
- July – Vacation
- August 1-2 – Off
- August 3-4 – UUCEL
- August 5 – Off
Rev. Dan is available for 1:1 emergency pastoral care regardless of his days off. If you are in need of immediate pastoral care, please contact him right away. Please refrain from texting Rev. Dan after normal work hours unless it is a critical issue that needs immediate attention; if not, email him the next workday. If you need an immediate response to an email on a day off, type “URGENT’ in the subject line.
Please submit items for this weekly email by Tuesday afternoon at WednesdayChimes@gmail.com. Please include the date(s) you would like the announcement published in the subject line of your email.
Sunday Announcements
Please submit items to be announced on Sunday to the Worship Committee at uuliberty@gmail.com
Joys and Sorrows
Please submit items for inclusion in our Sunday service to the Worship Committee at uuliberty@gmail.com