MAM Memo 5/20/25

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1.        Several of you asked about the Opening Words

from Sunday’s service. Here’s the first three stanzas:
 

 It’s Up to Us      
Will Ashe Bacon, adapted

It’s up to us,
to re-enchant this planet Earth
We are the elves and giants
we are the shining ones
daughters of the Moon and
sons of the Sun

We are the shapeshifters
we are the mysterious light
shrouded in mists at
the dawn of our time
it’s up to us to re-enchant
this living planet Earth

Up to us to midwife
at our own rebirth
up to us to send our dead
along their
ancient pathways to the future
up to us to re-enchant this
living planet Earth
 

2.     And here is my dedication to my spiritual mentor
that  I read during the Opening Remarks.
At this time, I want to dedicate this service to my spiritual mentor, Angeles Arrien, who came from the indigenous people in the Basque area of Spain, who spent her life learning from, supporting and teaching about the perennial wisdom, archetypes and spiritual traditions of indigenous cultures. I want to begin with a quote from Angeles:
“In many shamanic societies, if you came to a shaman or medicine person complaining of being disheartened, dispirited, or depressed, they would ask one of four questions. When did you stop dancing? When did you stop singing? When did you stop being enchanted by stories? When did you stop finding comfort in the sweet territory of silence?

Where we have stopped dancing, singing, being enchanted by stories, or finding comfort in silence is where we have experienced the loss of soul. Dancing, singing, storytelling, and silence are the four universal healing salves.”  And I say, long after I have departed do not stop dancing, being enchanted by story, finding comfort in silence, and do not stop singing.
 

3.     Lastly, Thank you.
Thanks to all of you who helped with my first Farewell Sermon this past Sunday. It was a turning point in our process of letting go of one another as a congregation and minister.
And, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you to all who participated in and helped create a wonderful Farewell Party.

Special thanks to my Trekkie
co-conspirators:  Kristi and Tim.
 

4.      Make Lying Wrong Again.
 

Rev. MAM’s Good Goodbye Journey Dates after Sunday

Sunday, May 25  (I will not be participating in the service featuring member poetry, but I will be around that weekend.)
          Imagination: The Gift of Poetry
Speakers: The Poets of the Congregation
Poetry paints a picture of reality by touching our emotions. It can peel away familiar layers of our own lives to show new complexities through the poet’s own experience. For the poet, it can be both self expression and a way of processing the world that, when shared, helps other people process and understand the world as well, and even re-enchant it. Please join us in exploring what poetry is and celebrating our congregation’s own poets as they share some of their work with us.  Join us (and participate if you wish) for a Poetry Slam during Coffee Hour.

Sunday, June 1
          Life is Goodbye. Life is Hello
Reverend Ben Burton and Reverend Mary Ann Macklin
Join Reverend Mary Ann and Reverend Ben as we honor those who participated in and learn about the yearlong Death and Dying Class, which Reverend MAM taught in 2024-2025.  Reverend Ben,who spoke about his experiences as a Hospice Chaplain to the class, was one of their favorite speakers.  We will have a Children’s Hymn Sing with our young ones before they leave for Religious Exploration. Also there will be a luncheon after the service as well as The Annual Congregational Meeting.  See you all there!

Sunday, June 8:
Flower Communion Sunday
Your new minister, Rev. Liz will be joining me in the pulpit.

Sunday, June 15:  My, Rev. MAM, Second Farewell day in pulpit.
Small party after.

Again, please be mindful of the time we have left. Also, note your own patterns of how you say goodbye or depart a situation, and be mindful not to ignore the feelings or process. We ministers are asked to share our feelings with you during this time. We aren’t asking you to fix anything. Just share with us/me your thoughts and feelings as well. Good goodbyes include truth-speaking, appreciations, forgiveness and love. And, in my humble opinion, food. Lots of food.