Deeper Conversations #1
Monday, January 6, 2025
Here in DC we’re all about snowstorms and terrible anniversaries - but no matter! As promised in my HMC anniversary post on Friday, “I’m embarking on some creative work that will poke into how we experience the world, how we approach art, how we worship, how we make meaning. I know I have a perspective, but I want to hear from you. So I’m going to post some question or proposition on many Mondays that invites you to be connected and generative and thoughtful.”
Let’s start this year of discussions with a fairly basic question, one that will lead us into some deeper conversations:
What keeps you going back to your congregation’s worship services?
Note: if you’re a religious professional and are leading/part of the team for those services, think about a time when you were just a person in the pews.
When you answer, identify your denomination (because we’re an interfaith community). Answer as fully as you’d like (because the more you share, the more there is for us to explore). And then, read and respond to others’ comments (because this is how we have a conversation). And yes, I’ll add mine
I know the question seems a bit basic. I promise they will get juicier as we go on, but we have to start somewhere, and your engagement in these early weeks will feed where our conversation goes.
Let the conversation commence!
With only a few family members in my community, I go to my church because that is where many of my deepest connections are. I have been a member for nearly 50 years, and I have heard all kinds of sermons, readings, and music to which I have responded in varied ways. Only a few sermons were long-term memorable, but those that were have stayed with me. The service is a sanctuary from the day-to-day business of my life. It creates space for me to think and feel more deeply and to connect with others.
I’m a lifelong Unitarian currently attending First UU of Austin where I also serve as president of the congregation and sing in the choir. I go to church for the music, the thought provoking sermons and the camaraderie.