Both Sides By Rev. Nina D. Grey August, 1999

"How lucky am I!" said a friend who lives in Chicago when he found out I was moving here. He spoke them into my voice mail in May when the move was still a dream and only beginning to be a plan. Now I have moved. Pinch me, I must still be dreaming as I look out my apartment window at the vast expanse of Lake Michigan and north to the skyline of the city. I feel lucky.

Yet, as many of you know, just a few days short of my move from Philadelphia, I broke my wrist. What kind of luck is that? Living with this difficulty has not been easy, yet even with this unexpected hardship, I have a feeling of blessing. It arises from my joy at coming to Chicago and joining you in ministry at First Unitarian and from the experience of receiving wonderful, caring assistance. Many of you have offered enthusiastic help as I begin to settle in. Thank you to those who have found me things I needed, unpacked boxes, hung pictures, and provided transportation to the Coop.

Each day I feel stronger. I am exercising my fingers and wrist regularly. I am walking daily, along the beach or west toward the church. I've visited the Field Museum, traveled out to a spot of prairie in Niles, and ate breakfast at Morrie's. And everywhere I am meeting people. My arm sling is a conversation piece. I am beginning to be at home. How lucky am I!

It has been good to have this settling-in time and soon, September 1, I begin my ministry with you. I look forward to getting to know you and to a profoundly fulfilling and meaningful shared ministry with you. Each of us has much to offer this community, and our Ingathering Water Ceremony will symbolize the gifts we bring as we enter or reenter this beloved community.

For now I am titling my column "Both Sides." The name is inspired by my view from my living room and bedroom windows and from my walks along the lake. I notice the lake is ever changing, hour by hour. And it is different being close up on the sand from being 28 stories up looking at the panorama. It is one lake, but it has many "sides" to it. It reminds me that ministry is composed both of vision and of the close-up, hands-on embodiment of vision. And the name is inspired by Judy Collins's song, "Both Sides Now", which reflects on the paradoxes of life.

Here, in this column, I hope to offer perspectives both close up and from a distance, turning some of life's and ministry's experiences, themes, and contradictions over in my mind and sharing some thoughts with you.

"Both Sides" will be one small part of what I hope will be an enduring conversation among us in the days and years to come.