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UU Church of Youngstown Ohio

1105 Elm St.
Youngstown, Ohio 44505
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330-746-3067
office@uuyo.org

UU Church of Youngstown

A Joyful Community, Spiritually Engaged, Changing the World

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August 30, 2020 • Mary Beth Czifra

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UU Church of Youngstown Ohio

1105 Elm St.
Youngstown, Ohio 44505
Directions

330-746-3067
office@uuyo.org

A Few Words from Rev. Joseph

Rev. Joseph writes on August’s Theme: Power “The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don’t have any.” -W. Walker* I have few regrets. One of them is a few years back Staughton Lynd had a birthday party in Channing Hall, and in attendance was the great writer, Alice Walker. I was out of town then, and I found out later Ms. Walker arranged to stay “at the Minister’s house.” I still remember the pang of regret when I received a voicemail saying Alice Walker would like to stay with us, and I was miles from home. I would’ve loved to meet her. It’s been illuminating discussing the theme of “Power” informally with people these last couple weeks. Most seem to associate power with something negative or oppressive, for reasons that are obvious. My association with the concept of power is initially very positive, which may surprise people. I think understanding our power and influence and claiming itis an extremely important and life-giving thing. I’ve never found much virtue in playing small or encouraging others to do the same, because we are afraid of power. What is the source of our power? I invite us to consider this question over the next few weeks. It’s one of those questions which I think is much more informative to carry around with us, rather than have some outside answer given to us. Another great related question may be depending on our disposition: What is the source of our powerlessness? My first impulse in reflecting on these questions for myself is that power is not a synonym of control. Power is something that is beyond desires of control and management. In fact, the lack of control or powerlessness may be the path to a true understanding of power. I think power is rooted in the givens: including the givens of life and death. It’s not about holding off or managing what we can’t manage, but finding a way to welcome wholeness, to connect more honestly with others. I want to plug Melissa Smith’s Death Cafe happening at the end of August, where we can frankly and compassionately talk about our relationship to death, as well as grief. I have my journey with this, and I know most of you do too. Right now, what is coming up for me is realizing I have the power to connect to others, and in a way the only thing holding me back from that is myself. I’ve thought before that the great connection I was seeking was somewhere out there…in something out there. But I’m realizing that the connection I’ve been seeking is accessible within my own growing capacity to be open to it. To realize I’m already connected, and never truly alone, has been the great path I continue to trudge on joyfully. It has been very empowering. I hope you remain curious about what power you possess already innately, and perhaps this month might find a new or deeper way to express it. In Faith, Rev. Joseph

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