Both Sides By Rev. Nina D. Grey February, 2003

And yet, and yet, the world calls to us with other important needs. Most of us still need to work many hours throughout our weeks of winter, as at other times. There are still many necessary tasks and errands that help us maintain our lives and families. And we still want to be responsive, in winter, responsive to others beyond ourselves, individuals, organizations and institutions whose needs are compelling for us: family and extended family, friends, schools, our congregation, and other voluntary organizations in our community and world.

Some of us may be living with illness in our family or friendship circles, or may be dealing with changes, our own and others'. Some may be helping to shape the lives and direction of institutions, like the schools our children or grandchildren attend, or this congregation, which needs each of our gifts and vision. Some are also deeply aware of the political and social challenges of our nation and world. We wonder and seek to discover how one person or a small group of us can make a difference and help bring a healthier nation and world into being. What part shall you and I play in the political process? How shall our families and each of us respond to the threat of more war? It seems there really isn't time or the likelihood of much hibernation, even in winter. The world needs us too much.

How can we balance that need to nurture our spirits with rest and spiritual renewal with the compelling need to be responsive to the world? What will support us in being healthy and sustained even while we are also learning more about being responsive and responsible to the world? I hope we will all draw on the support of our congregation, through worship and fellowship. Here we can remind each other and encourage each other to care for self and family while we also teach ourselves and each other about the needs of society and the world.

This month includes not only the midpoint of winter but it is also Black History Month. There is a dialectic in some African American religious history between drawing on spiritual resources and activism. Rooted in Christianity, some African American religious traditions learn from the life of Jesus the importance of turning aside from activism for a time to draw from a deep well of prayer. Certainly the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., grounded in his Christian faith, knew the importance of spiritual practice in the strengthening of prophetic witness. Other world religions, too, teach the importance of time set aside for rest and renewal. These examples include the Sabbath so prominent in Judaism and the meditative practices of Eastern traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism. A Buddhist bodhisattva, who comes back into the world after enlightenment in order to teach kindness, knows that a quiet and mindful consciousness deepens compassion.

There was a Quaker group that held a business meeting once. The leader said, "Usually we take 15 minutes of silence before our meeting, in order to center our spirits. But because we have so much that is important to do this evening, we will begin instead with 30 minutes of silence."

Does that seem counter-intuitive? Think about it.

In the depth of winter, in a world that seems relentless in its challenges, I invite you to take time for renewing your spirit and caring for your heart. A full, tended heart can offer more caring and compassion to the world. The world needs this in winter, in every season of the year.

With love, in faith,

Nina