Dear Members and Friends of UUWestport,
I’m writing to you from my home-state of Mississippi, where I’m visiting with my family for the week. I pray everyone is keeping safe on the highways and airways and in the kitchens, given that Thanksgiving week is centered around traveling and enjoying meals with people who are dear to us.
As mentioned in the service Sunday, I recently passed the three-month mark as Transitional Senior Minister at UUWestport, and my heart is filled with gratitude for all the ways you have welcomed me into the community. I think of the invitations to restaurants and events, meetings and delicious potlucks. The rides offered, the thoughtful emails, the kind words, the willingness to help with worship and coffee hour … All these gestures and more have me grateful for the person I was back in the spring who said yes to the opportunity to work with you.
I appreciate your patience as I’ve worked to figure out how to balance the many requirements and expectations that come with my role. Between pastoral visits, community functions, worship preparation, ministerial reports, administrative details, staff management, and a variety of meetings, I never have the sense of being “caught up” or that everything is handled. For many years now, I endeavor to be “less behind” instead.
As we head into the thick of the holiday season with all the physical, mental, and emotional labor that may be asked of us, I hope we can remember that we don’t have to do everything for everyone all the time. In the midst of the hustle and bustle, there has to be time to pause and reflect, to move our bodies, to laugh, to relax, to just … be.
Some of us will be out shopping this week, as gift-giving is a way of showing our care for others. It’s also the case that our presence is a gift, as is caring for ourselves. Please remember to honor the gift that you are, over and above whatever you might buy for someone else.
Thank you to Ravi and Sudha Sankar for leading the November 30th Sunday service. I’ve read the sermon … You will be inspired and encouraged.
I will be back in the office on December 2nd. Until then, take good care!
Carlton
Rev. Carlton E. Smith
Senior Minister
