As we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday today, we are in the home stretch of our Weekend of Service honoring the spirit of Dr. King. I want to say thank you once more for all you are doing to make a difference in our community and the lives of our neighbors. It's been so inspiring to see all the different projects come together - watching children and adults work together to make warm blankets, package food for hungry people and so many other acts of service both large and small. Click here for some pictures from our service projects. 

 

UUCF's theme for January is Neighbors, and we've been having lots of conversations about what it means to be a good neighbor. It's about helping others, but it's also about allowing others to help you when you need it. I keep thinking of my very first days at UUCF - I remember our moving truck got stuck in Wyoming for more than a week and John and I had practically nothing but a few changes of clothes and our very stressed-out cat. No pots and pans, no blinds on the windows, no furniture except for a saggy air mattress. It was pretty awful. But then the neighbors started showing up. That first night, a new neighbor from down the street showed up bearing sheets and towels like manna from heaven. We hadn't even asked ... she just offered. Then the next day, at my first worship service at UUCF, we sang Lean on Me. I felt like crying and laughing all at once when we got to the verse that said,

 

For no one can fill those of your needs that you don't let show.

 

At that moment I had just about nothing but things I needed to borrow. And you all were so very kind. People lent us some basic furniture, tools, dishes ... we even borrowed a mattress out of someone's guest room. (That was an adventure, putt-putting up and down the unfamiliar curves of Lawyers Road with a mattress strapped to the car roof, hoping like heck that it wouldn't fall off!) It was hard to have to ask for so much, but I was so grateful for community. And you couldn't have been more gracious as we leaned on you in those first chaotic days. Thank you for that, again and again. Thank you for being good neighbors. And don't forget to ask when you need help, okay?

 

Warmly,
Laura