“Not all those who wander are lost.”

~J.R.R. Tolkien~

Of all the things I get excited about in August, I never in my life thought tomatoes would make the list! But in Youngstown, I look forward to fresh tomatoes, and more accurately fresh tomato sauce made from these fresh August tomatoes for pasta. Who would’ve thought I’d have a homegrown adventure here in my backyard? My wife Jennifer introduced me to a writer named Victoria Moran who once said live your life like you’re on vacation, because this life is indeed precious and fleeting. It’s been fun to have this intention, whether we’re at home or going away on vacation for a bit.

I’m also excited our worship associates chose this theme for August: “Choose Your Own Adventure.” It’s the perfect theme for our church community. It’s mysterious and wonderful to experience and meet others who feel lost and wander until sometimes months, sometimes years later it feels that wandering is not a signifier of being lost at all. The wandering becomes a sign of adventure, a sign that we’re not done with life, and life isn’t done with us. Life has so much more to show us. We open ourselves up to new growth and experiences. This is when wandering gathers direction and purpose.

Years ago a couple Unitarian Universalist Ministers described what we do as a chosen faith, meaning most of us have got to where we got to through conscious choice, not through accident and coincidence of what we were born into. We sought out where we are today, which is why another term for those who find our church are called seekers. We seek the truth in love. This is what binds us together, and gives our wandering direction and purpose. As we go about all the activities in August, let’s come back to this simple and profound guide: that our wandering is a gift when guided by a desire to seek the truth in love. This desire leads us into the heart of life, relationship, intimacy and true joy. My wish and desire is you may experience more than mere flickers of this during this month. That you may choose your own adventure, guided by love, where the entire universe (including Youngstown) is your true home.

 In Faith,

Rev. Joseph