Healthy Congregation Committee
The responsibility of the Healthy Congregation Committee (HCC) is to provide resources and support for ERUUF members, friends and staff to help promote healthy communication between all.
Everyday Kindnesses to Share
Inspired by the October Non-Theist Sunday service, “My Religion is Kindness,” the Healthy Congregation Committee is collecting stories of everyday kindnesses—brief episodes where someone made you feel seen and/or appreciated or you made someone else feel that way.
We will publish some of these experiences periodically in the enews. We believe that intentionally noticing our own and others’ Everyday Kindnesses enriches the many ways we can be together and helps us foster Right Relationships. Consciously exercising the kindness muscle begins to make it a natural part of daily life.
Roller Coaster Holidays
Tips for Right Relationships will be simple and practical. Try them out! We welcome your feedback about using these tips and your suggestions for new tip ideas. ()
Susan Green, Prue Cuper, Stephen Edgerton – Healthy Congregation Committee
TIP: Roller Coaster Holidays
Winter and the holiday season approach, and, with them, a whole host of feelings. In some moments, winter may feel peaceful, quiet, comforting. In others, exciting and joyful, a time to celebrate.
Coffee Talk
TIP: COFFEE TALK
Conversations at coffee hour can foster community and deepen connections, but they are not always easy, as we found in the ERUUF Pulse Survey results. Here are ideas to try:
Tending Connections
Maintaining personal relationships is essential for our well-being. That’s tough in times like these when we are preoccupied with challenges that consume our focus and energy. Here are some strategies for nourishing personal connections:
- Remember good moments.
Those we love and/or live with have habits that may annoy us, which can be even more grating in difficult times. When you feel that little annoyance, intentionally recall a kind gesture or comment that person made to shift your energy.
Notice your Lizard Brain
When someone is angry at us, when someone disagrees strongly with us, or when someone doesn’t value what we hold dear, we are naturally triggered. Our “lizard brain” (amygdala), which responds to a perceived threat, takes over. It’s lightning fast and therefore below the level of consciousness. This reaction worked well for early humans on the African savannah but is not helpful in a committee meeting or at coffee hour.
Acknowledge Others
Taking the time to say something that acknowledges another’s efforts, skills, or contributions makes them feel valued and appreciated. Within your family and groups such efforts strengthen bonds and affirm each person's importance. Think how it warms your heart when such comments come your way! Here are ideas to try out:
Use a Curiosity Lens
Next time you find yourself feeling uncomfortable with another person during a meeting or conversation, try applying a Curiosity Lens:
1. Take a breath. Observe what you’re feeling physically.
2. Take a moment to notice and then suspend the judgments and assumptions you hear in your mind.
3. Replace them with the intention to learn something new.
