Minister’s Blog

Dear Ones,
From time to time we offer up a “Question Box” in our family services, when everyone is welcome to submit their questions for the Minister and the Director of Faith Development. People of all ages ask all kinds of questions on all kinds of topics, from the meaning of life to how or whether to be kind to someone who is not being kind to you. Lots of our community’s questions are about space, the origin of the Earth, and our place in the universe. Inspired by our community’s curiosity about the cosmos, we are delving into our amazing universe this month, and what it has to do with our UU faith. Our family services for the first three weeks in March will be on this theme, and they will continue exploring downstairs during children’s programming each week as well. This will culminate in a pageant on the topic for the whole congregation on March 24.
There are many important holidays and holy days all happening at once in March. Ramadan begins on the evening of March 10. Ramadan is the holiest time of year in the Muslim faith. It is a month of fasting, prayer, almsgiving, and a time for the observant to reconnect with God. Ramadan culminates in Eid-al-Fitr, a festive time to break the fast and celebrate with friends and family. We are also in the middle of Lent, a Christian time of fasting, which culminates in Holy Week and Easter. Of note, this year is one of those relatively uncommon years when Passover and Easter do not coincide. Holi, the Hindu festival of spring, is on March 25 this year. Holi commemorates the eternal love of the divinities Radha and Krishna, as well as the triumph of good over evil. Celebrants playfully throw colored powder and water at each other and enjoy special foods together. And let’s not forget the vernal equinox, when the northern hemisphere starts to tilt toward the sun, giving us sunnier, longer days, and ushering in the spring season. What will you be celebrating this March?
On another note: I have been advertising a book study on A History of Religion in 5 ½ Objects by S. Brent Plate. So far I have only heard from one person from our Five Points Cluster who is interested in participating. I will need a minimum of five participants to run the class. I can order copies of the book for anyone who cannot obtain it themselves. It will be three sessions, alternating Thursdays starting on March 7, 7-8 PM. Please let me know if you’d like to participate! If the books don’t come in time I can scan the first chapters for those who need it.
And finally, I will be on vacation from March 13 through March 19. If you have a pastoral emergency while I am away you can reach my colleague, Rev. Dave Egan. He is a kind and caring person and he serves our UU congregation in Medfield. His number is 617-620-1149 and his email address is minister@firstparishmedfield.org. For help with needs such as rides and meals you can reach out to our Caring Committee: caringcommittee@uusharon.org.

Yours in faith,
Rev. Jolie