Pastoral Message

 

 

 (We all need) Seasonal Support 

Hi Family,

I am sitting in my home office in Southeast Wisconsin, watching trees dance with the wind, trying to wrap my mind around the fact that summer is over. Summer's end brings the beginning of school, congregational ingatherings, the gradual shift from outdoor to indoor activities and shorter days.

I confess I am not one of those people who loves the fall and enjoys watching leaves turn colors and taking walks in the cool crisp air. However, I admire the lovers of fall and their enthusiastic attitude related to the change of the season. For some people this time of year is energizing and spiritually renewing. For others, it is the season that begins the annual challenge to not hit the snooze button on their alarm clock five times or sit in their favorite chair playing Super Mario Brothers. all day while missing meals or eating cookies (or other carbohydrates) because their brain is in a fog and their energy level is on empty. Sometimes the person feels so empty they consider suicide. If the above description sounds familiar, you may be experiencing something called seasonal depression.

If you are experiencing seasonal depression, there are things you can do to combat it. For example, exercise, eating a balanced diet, attending a support group, therapy or talking with your family, friends, minister, or DRE and letting them know how you are feeling. If you are suicidal and you have a plan, call 911. However, if you are considering suicide and you do not have a plan call:

-  National Suicide Prevention - 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

-  LGBT and questioning youth - 1-866-4-U-TREVOR (1-866-488-7386)

I want you to remember that a significant number of people feel what you are feeling and have gone through what you are experiencing. So keep in mind that you are not alone and ask for help.

You can contact me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at mcummings@uua.org, or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic.

I Love You,

Rev Monica

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Youth View

 

 

YOU are needed to lead a read! 

COMMON READ: Acts of Faith by Eboo Patel, founder of the Interfaith Youth Core.

Following up on last year's Common Read in congregation and groups focusing on immigration of "The Death of Josseline: Immigration Stories from the Arizona Borderlands," this year's selection focuses on the role of youth in bridging interfaith connection through service work.  Find out if your congregation plans to participate and, if not, suggest they do.  The Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministries is making available grants for youth to form and lead Common Read groups and will publish guidelines and applications for this over the next few weeks.  

YOUTH GRANTS: Money for change 

Paint a mural.  Write a hymn.  Run a food drive.  Host a children's day.  Plant a garden.  Organize a letter-writing campaign.  Develop a weekend retreat.  Schedule a film screening.  These are just a few of the things that Unitarian Universalist youth will do this year.  As you think about how you can make a difference remember that the Youth Project Grants Program can help fund your project!  This program exists to supply grants of up to $2,000 to UU youth for opportunities to grow in faith, deepen in spirit, develop skills and offer leadership and service to Unitarian Universalist communities.    

So ask yourself: what are you passionate about?  What change can you make in your community?  We are accepting applications now, so check out sample project ideas and the application at