Dear Ones,
Our theme for the month of May is Thresholds. Thresholds are powerful places where we cross from one thing to another. We have thresholds in our homes, in our congregations, and in our lives. At WUUC you’re at one threshold as you begin to say goodbye to one minister and develop your readiness and your relationship with another. We’re also at a threshold with covid-19, moving out into small increases in freedom of movement but uncertain what will happen if the virus begins to spread again. And we’re at the threshold of graduations and other changes in different members’ and families’ lives.
On May 10 we’ll also celebrate another threshold. The butterflies that we’ve been caring for throughout April are ready to move out into the world. These are the same caterpillars that taught us so much about trust, courage, strength, growth, and (when they didn’t transform when we thought they would) patience. Our butterflies are ready to move into this next phase of their lives, but it still may be difficult for some of them to cross this threshold.
What thresholds have you crossed in your life? When you’ve crossed a threshold, what are the things that have helped you, either as you’ve been in that liminal space of the threshold itself or as you’ve prepared yourself to cross it?
One of the things that often helps us move into and through thresholds is to notice and attend to all the feelings they stir up. To notice the grief that may be there along with the joy, the anxiety along with the excitement, the fear along with the anticipation.
Another thing that helps us with thresholds is cultivating gratitude for what went before, for what we’re leaving, as well as anticipation for what’s coming. Cultivating gratitude is a way of honoring the changes. And as we recognize the things we’re grateful for, we may also notice things that we need to lay down or that we still need to take with us through the threshold and attend to on the other side. Thresholds don’t mean leaving everything behind.
As we prepare to cross these next thresholds in ways that are different than almost any we’ve crossed before since we can’t gather in person, I invite you to enter with me with wonder into the question of what thresholds mean and what helps us navigate them. If you have thoughts about thresholds that you’d like to share, please send them to me. And know that your Transitions Team, Board, and I are spending time during May discerning how WUUC and I will say our goodbyes in June.
Blessed be,
Rev. Diana