What Does Flourishing Together Entail?

I’ve been glowing from the Flower Ceremony we held last month. Individual flowers were placed on our shared altar; we named them as good, whole, and holy; then we each chose a single flower to give to a fellow congregant. 

While the individual flowers were beautiful, it was
when placed together that they became gorgeous
in a whole new way. The flowers’ shapes, sizes, and
colors contrasted with and complemented each
other – speaking to me of the strength and power
of diversity.  (Photo by Marion Patterson.)

Then I read a reflection about “Flourishing Together"
from the makers of Soul Matters. They wrote: 

“A theme like flourishing carries the connotation of blooming, as if this month is solely about helping each other blossom brightly into the fullness of all we can be. But maybe it’s also about softening. About waking up to the reality that our culturally-encouraged pursuits of independence haven’t made us safe; they’ve only made us brittle. 

“Maybe the invitation this month is to pay attention to when you feel like weeping. Maybe what this month wants most for us is a retrieval of tenderness. A reconnection to that part of us that understands that flourishing also involves unfolding our ability to say, ‘I hurt,’ ‘I’m scared,’ and ‘I need help.’ Who wouldn’t weep if they discovered that there really was a world like that out there?”

So now I’ve been reflecting on softening. On retrieving tenderness. On reconnecting to vulnerabilities. On weeping for all the ways this world is brutal + beautiful = brutiful. 

In this process of glowing and reflecting, I feel gratitude bubbling up within me. I’m grateful for all the ways that Peoples Church is a compassionate community – a courageous place to admit our vulnerabilities – a place where I look forward to Flourishing Together.

With Love at the Center, 

Rev. Carin

PS:  I’m planning a retreat for the Worship Arts Team on August 22nd. If you’d like to learn more about Flourishing Together with the Worship Arts Team, email me at minister@pcuu.org with “Worship Arts” in the subject line.