In the turn of seasons at the Equinox, we welcome the new life of spring, a time of new beginnings, hope and promise. Yet, these are very uncertain times of change with all that is going on in the world right now—the shifting sands of politics, fear, greed, chaos, and confusion. In the face of change, whether invited or not, there is an opportunity to reflect on what sustains and nourishes us, both individually and collectively.

I invite you to imagine for a moment being on campus at the Fellowship. Maybe you are there for a service on Sunday or a meeting during the week. What do you notice? What do you experience, wherever you go to share coffee/conversation, sing, pray, laugh, and listen?

In the noticing of little details, remember that every single thing at the Fellowship is made possible by acts of generosity. This place, on a physical level, was built by and is sustained by gifts of generosity. This place, as a community, is all made possible by, and sustained by, your gifts: our ability to gather together, in large and small groups; our capacity to learn and grow; and our justice actions and compassionate care. Every aspect of our shared ministry together, is made possible by acts of generosity:
• The giving of time, energy and commitment
• The sharing of talent, creativity and imagination
• The offering of treasure, tangible pledges and gifts to support the organization at all levels.

So together we create this—we choose, we take action, we own the responsibility to make this a place of welcoming and belonging in beloved community. And, in these times, we are invited to imagine what might be possible for us to create COLLECTIVELY from our hearts.

This comes back to the question of what sustains us? On the practical level we are planting with our pledges and gifts to grow what is possible for the congregation. And yes, on one level, this sustains us and allows us to live into the mission. But there is another gift that sustains this fellowship, and in some ways it is the most important gift of all: your presence. On Sundays, in-person or online. Or your presence in a classroom, covenant group, or service. Your presence teaching RE, singing in the choir, making coffee for Fellowship Hour, tending to the gardens, serving as visitor hosts, greeters, Care team, card writers, or Board members. Your presence, your participation, in so many different ways, is what creates and SUSTAINS this community.

Early January is a time for new beginnings, which often involves looking back on the past year and setting goals for the new year. On this threshold of looking back and forward at the same time, there is an opportunity for reflection. The Story of Now. What led us to this moment, this Now? What gifts did we gather along the way?
What challenges did we face and how did we grow from them?
What is wanting to be created, now?

To explore these questions, here’s a simple reflection template to use for preparing to craft the Story of Now: 5 4 3 2 1
It is a way to explore your own story, to discover what you are paying attention to, and what you wish to create.

For your own spiritual journey, what are:

5 key moments that impacted who you are now?
These may crossroads, milestones, challenges or discoveries.

In my own life, one key moment was moving to Durham in 1989. I wondered what my life would have been like IF I had not made this choice. All the people I never would have met, experiences, highs and lows, all would have been somewhere else, the hypothetical road not taken. It fills me with a sense of deep appreciation for my past self in making the decision to move here to a town that has transformed in the past 30+ years.

For the past few months, I have been away from ERUUF on sabbatical. As I return this month with a sense of restorative rest on many levels, I am also present to a feeling of immense gratitude to this congregation for the gift of time. This week I noticed how I am not yet in the same overdrive gear as the rest of staff and have asked for patience as I calibrate to the everything-all-at-once speed of this active Fellowship. I love and appreciate so much of what is here in this special place (staff, people, projects, values, mission, and more!) and I am eager to re-engage in the work of shared ministry with all of you—hopefully at a more balanced pace.

In planning for sabbatical, I was initially disappointed that I couldn’t find a retreat or workshop that spoke to me, so I decided to create my own personal retreat time in different ways. The first challenge was simply slowing down and giving myself permission to unplug and stop being “productive.” I literally had to force myself to let go of developing projects, agendas, and deadlines, even on a personal level. This led to deep dive of exploring meditation in a variety of forms and a concentrated focus on listening at deeper levels to the rhythms of life, both within and around me in the world. More being and less doing.

For a couple of weeks in October I visited with family and friends in the New England area, then came back to my new routine of extended meditation practice at home in NC. For the final month, I deliberately placed myself in a different environment to move out of the comfort zone of the familiar and into the diverse world of Los Angeles. I stayed at a small place near the ocean in Venice Beach and resumed my spiritual practice routine there in a place where the rhythms of life are colorful, at times chaotic, and full of surprises.

Often I was able to watch the sun set over the ocean and fill the sky with a rich painting of colors, drinking this in with appreciation. Daily my walking meditation would take me along the vibrant boardwalk scene full of people walking, running, or riding all manner of vehicles (bikes, skates, scooters, strollers, skateboards), while also navigating a wide range of vendors, artists, musicians, vacationers, locals, and pets. Concurrently, people engaged nearby in a variety of sporting activities (beach volleyball, pickle ball, football, basketball, soccer, surfing, dancing). And, regardless of activity, almost everyone had a booming speaker to fill the air with music. For me, the sights and sounds of this unique California vibe became part of a meditation practice of being present to life, even it its fullness, loudness or chaotic-ness. Instead of resisting the confluence of so many energies that from one perspective could impinge on a sense of stillness, I learned to embrace these dynamics as a spiritual practice for remaining centered in the full flow of life.

Was I always successful? No. Did I feel annoyed sometimes by what I saw, felt, and heard? Yes. Did the habits of needing to feel productive keep chasing after me? Yes.

After witnessing the hottest year on record, the impact of the current climate crisis is very present. The litany of impending challenges is long, from rising sea levels and deforestation to food insecurity and extreme weather events. How do we make sense of this? Climate change is a multifaceted issue encompassing various sciences, politics, economics, history, and spirituality. Environmental racism and justice are intertwined within all of it. The climate crisis presents a global challenge, posing significant obstacles to vulnerable communities worldwide. It disproportionately affects low-income countries and communities, indigenous populations, and other marginalized groups.

On the surface, the problem seems to be climate change and its impacts. But, this may be symptomatic of a deeper issue. Our relationship with the Earth is fundamentally out of balance. In his book Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, Thich Nhat Hanh writes:

"When you wake up and see that the Earth is not just the environment, the Earth is us, you touch the nature of interbeing. At that moment you can have real communication with the Earth…We have to wake up together. And if we wake up together, then we have a chance. Our way of living our life and planning our future has led us into this situation. And now, we need to look deeply to find a way out, not only as individuals but as a collective, a species."

The way out he offers is a thoughtful process of engaging with mindfulness practice as part of social activism to restore our relationship with the Earth and each other. Mindfulness as action guides our choices, deepens our understanding, and opens new possibilities for creating a more sustainable future.

When faced with intractable nature of these environmental justice/climate crisis issues, how do we deepen our understanding of justice? What do we do with despair about the planetary future?

Have you ever been lost, and can’t find where you are going? I’ve been lost many times: In a country where I didn’t speak the language. In a big city where all the streets seem to be one way. What do you do is this situation? Ask for directions? Seek assistance? Check the map? Retrace your steps?

It is frustrating to know, and not know, at the same time, where you are, and how to get to where you want to go. “It’s the journey, not the destination,” they say. Well, maybe. But when you are lost, those words don’t seem helpful.

On a spiritual journey, feeling lost, entering the unknown, and seeking guidance, is how it works. Living life as a sacred journey is an invitation to open our eyes, hearts, and minds in new ways. It is a call to both outward practice and inner reflection. It is an opportunity to step out of comfort zones, let go of old patterns, and engage new insights. It asks us, again and again, to embrace the gift of change.

Along with every part of the outer journey, there is also an inner component—a feeling, a learning, a prompting to pay attention, go deeper, and live into a growing edge. This can be an uncomfortable place, to meet a part of oneself that is resistant to change, resistant to acknowledge or face something difficult.

At the recent ERUUF spiritual practices retreat, we explored resources to cultivate resilience in difficult times. To begin, we were all invited to identify a challenge we were facing, creatively express/write it with colorful paper and markers, then place it in a large bowl next to the central chalice. This represented a collective ritual to honor our own journey, and also hold it with each other in community, as we entered a day of practice—meditation, breath, creative expression, sharing, movement, and singing.

In reflecting on goals, hopes, and dreams for 2024, what does Love ask, of each one of us, in this year, in this month, in this moment? Pause and listen, for the call of love, deep within the heart. Opening, allowing, noticing.

Someone from the local community attending a workshop here recently commented that this place is a beacon of light in the triangle area. This doesn’t just happen. It takes commitment together to learn, grow, and live our communal values.

As a community, what light are we radiating out to the world? In our work for justice and equity, how do actually show up in action and practice to make the world a better place?

This can seem dauting when faced with all that is challenging right now—from weather disasters and climate crisis to human conflicts and ongoing wars, systemic oppression to democracy on the run, the world needs healing on so many levels.

When we are overwhelmed at all the things we see and hold on our hearts…
it’s OK to pause, breathe, and make a conscious choice to find our center.
Then we can reflect on our choices and intentions.

December is a unique time of year that features a variety of holiday celebrations. It’s not surprising that stories surround the whole season. In movies, books and songs, the end of the year is full of stories about the true meaning of living and giving. Then there are also the life stories we share with family and friends, recalling the past year, looking forward to the next, and if we can pause in all the busyness, appreciating the gift of the present. Stories, both personal and cultural, allow us to understand our place in the world, and make meaning about how and why things happen.

Stories are also gifts, in a way, that can reveal something about ourselves, if we are open to them. Storytelling is a universal language that transcends borders, languages, and generations. It’s a thread that connects us all, reminding us of our shared humanity. Sharing our story can create a bridge that creates a sense of belonging, of being wanted, needed, and heard. Stories connect us.

Youth Poet Laureate Rimel Kamran writes:

The power of story rests in the heart of vulnerability and community.
Each individual bears a story, aching to be heard and to be recognized.
Stories are powerful because they foster connection and
plant the seeds for community to blossom.
Our own stories and the stories of others are windows to recognizing
how humanity is both broken and imperfect,
but through taking the time to engage in conversation with one another and
by listening to each other’s voices and calls for justice,
we can mend humanity’s wounds and create something beautiful.

Stories can be a catalyst for change, growth, and healing. Stories from our life journey allow a greater sense of understanding and appreciation of one other.

Years ago I was leading a workshop in Maine and offered an exercise in forest bathing. The immediate group response was, “Yes, I like to walk in the woods.” The idea was familiar, but not necessarily as a mindfulness practice. Forest bathing, or shinrin-yoku, is a Japanese form of nature therapy that originated in the early 1980s. The word, “bathing,” refers to the idea of absorbing the experience using all the senses. Forest bathing aims to bring healing through connection to nature and trees. It is not the same as going for a hike, listening to a podcast, and getting in your steps for the day.

Forest bathing is a mindfulness practice for any level of physical fitness and in any location where there are trees. Scientific studies have shown it can be quite powerful, enhance well-being, and reduce stress.

If you would like to try this practice, find a peaceful place to walk outside with trees. Pause, and bring awareness to all your senses. Set an intention to listen, feel, see, taste, touch, sense, and allow. Walk slowly. Pause from time to time to sit, be still, or connect with a tree. The practice of forest bathing is more about being/allowing than doing/directing. When your mindfulness walk is complete, take a few moments to reflect on your experience. Trees have much to teach and share, if we are paying attention.

In Utah there is a forest of forty-eight thousand aspen trees. The oldest aspen is fourteen thousand years old. How have trees like these aspens survived cold winters, drought, and insect attacks for so many years? Originally, it was thought to be survival of the fittest in outcompeting other trees for sunlight, water, and nutrients. New research shows that trees have learned how to cooperate and communicate through an underground fungal network or through scent signals the air. They ask for help, respond to distress signals, and share nutrients with other trees because this is how they survive—together. These aspens have survived because they recognize they belong to one another. This is not simply a collection of trees—it’s a community. Every tree belongs to the forest/community by having a place to stand within it.

Just like a tree is part of a forest, we are part of different communities—an intricate network of people who rely on one another to survive and flourish. And as one global human family on this Earth journey, our collective survival—much like a tree depends on its forest—is determined by our ability to connect and cooperate, share and care.

In this past Sunday’s sermon, I shared just a bit about my journey in hopes that it can encourage each of you to reflect on your own spiritual journey with the power of three:

Three people that have shaped your life.

Three key experiences on your spiritual journey.

Three practices that feed your spirit.

This invitation includes a nudging to write down some of your own stories. The value in writing, even for yourself, is well documented as therapeutic, insightful, and potentially transformative. But to get to the transformative part, you actually have to participate in reflecting and writing.

Every day we are inundated with information. Through words, images, conversations, screens, media, people, and life…it can be hard to keep track of what is most important in the deluge of noise and “news.” This year, the ministers at ERUUF are offering a series of classes to help all of us ground and center in the midst of all that life brings. In the first class of the series (Healing the Earth) I was moved by the engaged presence of participants, both online and in person, who embraced the primary invitation of the class—to pause, slow down, and listen.

Based on the book Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge and the Teachings of Plants by Robin Wall Kimmerer, we explored our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world, our sense of interconnectedness with the Earth, and what it may take to write a new future for a sustainable world for all. Dr Kimmerer offers that the awakening of ecological consciousness requires the acknowledgment and celebration of our reciprocal relationship with the rest of the living world. For only when we can hear the languages of other beings will we be capable of understanding the generosity of the Earth and learn to give our own gifts in return.

She writes:

Action on behalf of life transforms. Because the relationship between self and the world is reciprocal, it is not a question of first getting enlightened or saved, and then acting. As we work to heal the earth, the earth heals us. Knowing that you love the earth changes you, activates you to defend and protect and celebrate. But, when you feel that the earth loves you in return, that feeling transforms the relationship from a one-way street into a sacred bond.

The book is full of stories that encourage us to pay attention to how we are in relationship with one another, the Earth, and the elements of nature. Following the lead of the book, the class focused on listening to one another share stories of our own experience of the natural world. Each week, there was a homework assignment, that we then shared in the next class.

We are often taught or shaped by living examples we encounter in our lives. Yes, words matter, but often the greatest impact is in lived experience. Embodied values. This is true at any age. Yes, children are our teachers too. But it is especially true with our elders. The gifts of lived experience, the embodied wisdom of life’s journey can serve as a bridge that connects our past, present, and future.

Michele Obama writes:

The older I get, the more I value the wisdom of those who have gone before me.

They have seen more, they have done more, and they have learned more.

I am grateful for their guidance and their insights.

"When you wake up and see that the Earth is not just the environment, the Earth is us, you touch the nature of interbeing. And at that moment you can have real communication with the Earth…We have to wake up together.

And if we wake up together, then we have a chance. Our way of living our life and planning our future has led us into this situation. And now we need to look deeply to find a way out, not only as individuals but as a collective, a species."

(Thich Nhat Hanh from Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet)

In the middle of the hottest summer on record, and another season of rampant wildfires, the impact of the current climate crisis is very present. The litany of impending challenges is a long list from rising sea levels and deforestation to food insecurity and extreme weather events.

Climate change is a multifaceted issue encompassing various sciences, politics, economics, history, psychology, and spirituality. Regardless of the lens used to view the issue, environmental racism and justice are intertwined within all of it. The climate crisis presents a critical global challenge, posing significant obstacles to vulnerable communities worldwide. The impact of greenhouse gas emissions and resulting global warming extends far and wide, disproportionately affecting low-income countries and communities, indigenous populations, and other marginalized groups.

This complicated project with multiple vendors and many moving parts is finally coming to completion. The new speaker array and retractable projection screen were both installed in the ceiling. Additional electrical work was completed to power all the various components (screen, speakers, window blinds, projector). The Chapel will have a new screen as well. We have begun integrating the new equipment with the current audio-visual systems (camera and soundboard).

This week it was very exciting to see the large screen deployed for the first time and hear sound from the speaker array. We are now working on the fine-tuning part of the installation. The Sanctuary has been a construction zone since mid-August. While lifts were rented to support the AV installation, additional maintenance work was completed in this space utilizing the equipment. Multiple areas of mold on the high ceiling were cleaned, sanded and refinished (see photo below of Edgar Proano working on the ceiling). Most of the room was repainted. A retractable window blind was installed over the large window above the storage area to allow for minimizing light on the new screen/projector. New floor outlets will be installed when the parts arrive. A large platform with a metal door hatch for the projector was built in the ceiling area above the sound desk (see photo below of Chris Egle looking out the projector window). At the same time, insulation that had been falling down is now secured to the roof. The media desk for the Tech Team was moved into the sound closet and linked to the new system.

Please know that safety is a concern throughout the process on multiple levels. Contractors and staff are masked, lift operators are harnessed, and load limits for all the equipment hanging from the ceiling have been certified by a structural engineer. The floors have been covered with ram board and plywood to ensure that the heavy lifts won't crack or scratch the wood floor.

We expect to transform the Sanctuary from a construction zone to a worship space by the end of this week. The large projector installation has been delayed due to supply chain issues, but should be functional in early October.

Once the full system is fully operational, the next step will be orientation and training with the new equipment for the Sound team, Tech Team, and Worship Team. While we are eager to move forward, we may be in learning mode for a bit as we learn how to adjust workflow for Sunday mornings.

Even though we are not gathering in person for worship at this time, here is a peek behind the scenes at some of the work in the Sanctuary. Last Sunday you may have noticed we had to switch back to Zoom for live stream worship, which presented a few technical challenges. This is because we discovered during the equipment check that morning that one of the contractors had rewired the camera in preparation to interface with the new systems.

Physical construction has begun on the Sanctuary AV upgrade. While this is just one step in a complex process involving multiple contractors, we are hopeful for a mid-September completion date. So please pardon our dust over the next 6 weeks as installation continues in phases. The system includes a new speaker, large retractable screen, long throw projector, additional screen the chapel, hearing accessibility upgrades, and window shade.

This is more than just new equipment. ERUUF is seeking to develop capacity for multi-platform worship. The ability to worship together, both in person and at a distance, is integral to the life of this faith community. The new AV system will help ERUUF build capacity for the community and empower the multimedia worship experience that has developed over the past year of livestream worship.

This project has been in various stages of research and development for quite some time. Conversations have been engaged with the worship team, tech team, Coordinating Team, Board of Trustees, music team, sound team, buildings and grounds team, staff, and more. There have been a variety of ideas and iterations of options for how the project could work within the physical space and enhance worship at ERUUF. We are excited to be moving forward now and grateful for a grant from the Eno River Fellowship Foundation and Board approval for additional ERUUF reserve funds that will make this project possible.

The upgraded AV system will allow ERUUF to take a huge leap forward in technology and connectivity, as well as dynamic worship.
Stay tuned for updates.

ERUUF has had solar panels for six months now and we’ve learned a lot in this time. The good news is that we have seen a reduction in the energy bill and the system is working well. However, it’s becoming clear that tree shading issues were significantly underestimated by our contractor, and the solar project is now experiencing significantly lower than optimal solar output. In the winter months there is an almost 50% reduction in solar production due to shading, though less in the summer due to sun position, with an annual loss of 30-35% kilowatt hours or about $3,000 per year. This outcome will increase over time as the trees grow.

This brings us to a choice point. In order to live into our ongoing sustainability commitment (read more about ERUUF’s Green Sanctuary Initiative) and to be good stewards of the large solar project (and all the resources it took to build it), we will need to find ways to address the shading issue, both for today and in future years as the trees/shade between the CARE building and the walkway continue to grow.

The Coordinating Team, Garden Team, Earth Justice, Buildings and Grounds, RE, ERUUF staff, Family Preschool and tree experts have all been brought into the conversation. A number of ideas and options have been discussed, all of which have pluses and minuses. The most viable solution involves replacing four large trees with lower growing new trees that grow to a height that does not create future shading issues. While this will create a change, the redesign also opens other opportunities for uses of the area.

Before making a decision, the Coordinating Team would like to hear what our members think about this. And so we invite you to join us to share your thoughts at a special breakout room during zoom Coffee Hour on March 14.

This is one significant way that we can live our values and principles as we help create a sustainable, low carbon future together.

Thank you for helping to expand our compost and recycling efforts on campus. As we continue to live into our commitment to care for the earth, each of us plays a big part in creating the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible. The waste reduction project has made great progress in the past year. Yes, this requires learning new habits and extra planning for events, especially around composting. Please know that your efforts make a difference! The new waste reduction stations in the Fellowship Hall and Care Building are just one part of a larger Green Sanctuary initiative at ERUUF. In addition, we increased our composting collection capacity from 10 gallons a week to 64 gallons a week which we are consistently filling. Furthermore, we have transitioned to compostable dinnerware for large ERUUF sponsored events with food and beverages.

In 2019, results from our composting vendor, Compost Now:

This project addressed the goal of waste reduction identified in the Green Sanctuary initiative with a specific target to reduce our congregational waste by at least 20% by December 2021. In following through on ERUUF's strategic plan, we committed to making an initial investment in critical infrastructure (i.e., a permanent, attractive, commercial collection station, compost collection and signage for the Fellowship Hall), to increase waste diversion through increased composting and recycling. The new waste reduction stations were made possible by a grant from Eno River Fellowship Foundation!

 
Many thanks to Kim Swain, Denise Frizzell, Barbara Welanetz, Daniel Trollinger, Shawn Trimble, and Michele Sager.

Check out upcoming Earth Justice events for Earth and Climate Justice Month 2020.

• New waste stations for Fellowship Hall and Care bldg. (Denise Frizzell, Kim Swain, Barbara Welanetz, Shawn Trimble with funding support from the Foundation)
• New doors for rear of Commons Room (Peter Romeyn)
• New window blinds in Rooms 4/5 & 1 (Jean O'Barr)
• Clean gutters (Glen Jackson)
• Tree/limb pruning (Jack Romeyn)
• Redesigned Sanctuary front garden (Beth Harvat, Barbara Beaman, Nancy Henley, Jean O'Barr)
• Clear sidewalks and lawn mowing (Rick Searles, David Scheidt)
• New wall coverings for Fellowship Hall (Peter Romeyn, Ed Hoefle, Steve Edgerton, Karli Rabe)
• New dishwasher in Care bldg. (Chris Egle)
• New chairs/tables for Sanctuary floor (Jean O'Barr, with funding support from Gallery Committee)
• New carpet in Sanctuary, Rooms 4/5 & 3 (Peter Romeyn)

Welcome to a new version of the ERUUF web site!

The primary intention is to show the ERUUF community in action, with a focus on the shared ministry teams and values of the fellowship. The invitation is to explore and find your way on the site and in this beloved community.

By design, it is set up to encourage exploration instead of linear mapping. It is searchable, mobile friendly and hopefully more accessible to people who are new to UU and ERUUF.
The site is built with a visual language of pictures and images in addition to text and links. Menus introduce new headings and categories. Pretty much everything on the old site is also on the new site, just in a different organizational pattern. In the future, we plan to add more video components and interactivity with social media.

Features:

• Visual language (we are always looking for high quality photographs of ERUUF groups and activities)
• New blog page (reflections from ministers and staff)
• Emphasis on shared ministries in action
• Searchable calendar
• New auto-draft giving portal
• Mobile friendly

The layout, design, and focus of the new site are all the result of conversations with staff, leaders, and members, combined with ERUUF site analytics and evaluation of web sites of UU congregations and other spiritual communities. In all our research, we could not find any congregation anywhere with as much emphasis on governance and policies as ERUUF seems to hold. As a result, any information in this area, that focuses on "how we organize ourselves," has all been pushed down to the bottom menu. If you are a leader or just policy curious, scroll down to the bottom of any page to find numbers, reports, and governance.
Feedback welcome -  Give Feedback

Through the fall and early winter ERUUFians took the initial steps toward Green Sanctuary accreditation. Green Sanctuary is a program offered by the UUA to give congregations a pathway of study, reflection, and action in response to environmental challenges, most notably climate change. It provides a structure for congregations to examine their cur...

The Special Campaign for facilities maintenance concluded Jan 31, 2018 and raised $320,768. The match grant challenge of $250,000 will bring the total to $570,768. The remarkable generosity of the Fellowship will enable ERUUF to care for the campus well into the future. The immediate plan is to pay off the remaining mortgage ($104,000 paid Feb 2018...

Each year, the Eno River Fellowship Foundation (ERFF) awards grants from the endowment for projects that make a significant difference in supporting our ERUUF mission and priorities. We fund creative, seminal initiatives and enrichment of our facilities to fulfill our promises. We request that proposals have a direct link to ERUUF's Strategic Plan ...