“In the past few years it has dawned on me that an important part of a long-term relationship with a congregation is coming to terms with the grief that comes with loss. Every year, when we gather at the Columbarium during our Water Communion service, the list of those departed whom I have known and loved grows longer and longer. It has been through this growing understanding of my own grief that I have come to embrace the gratitude I feel for having shared part of this brief life with this amazing group of people. In the end it’s not about having a great music program or about being a renowned composer, or preaching eloquent and inspiring sermons, or even helping to conquer any of the great social ills of our time. It’s about truly being with one another, about knowing each other. It is in those privileged moments, when I have simply been with people in the struggles and celebrations of their lives, that I have found a place for ministry, for service, and I am grateful for the opportunity to fulfill this calling in my life.”
- The Rev. Jason Shelton

Sometimes I question my sanity for going to church. Church life, if you enter into it past a certain point (a point I passed ages ago), is messy. Of course I’m busy too, and would love to just put my feet up on Sundays instead of going to church. More than that, I look around and many wonderful people don’t go to church. So why?

Then there are the other moments. One just happened to me, working on a recent web page I posted for the church. I read the passage from Jason Shelton quoted above, and time stopped. Of course I go to church. In fact, I’m very lucky to be part of such a wonderful community.

Jason is our highly articulate and extraordinarily talented music director, who is trail-blazing his way into music ministry. We are the envy of many other UU congregations to have him on our staff.

But he wants to stay with us, and I can see why. We have soaring ceilings, but our roots go much deeper — through the Columbarium, through the larger community, and into many hearts, including mine.