How Do We Practice INTERdependence?

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

Now go to the nearest house plant. (I’ll wait while you find one. If you need to, go touch the grass outside.) Once you’ve found a living plant, do it again.

Breathe in.

Breathe out.

This behavior of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide with non-human kin is a simple (yet profound) spiritual practice that helps us remember our interdependence. 

According to our Unitarian Universalist Shared Values, “Interdependence” means, “We honor the interdependent web of all existence and acknowledge our place in it.” We honor and acknowledge.

As we move into the new church year, I’m going to try to mindfully honor the web of life that sustains and nourishes me. It requires humble intention to acknowledge my small place among the plants, critters, and stars beyond my understanding. (Such a practice comes most easily for me before I eat a meal.)

This year’s experiment with “First Hour” offerings is obviously about interdependence, too.  Interdependence within congregational life includes honoring and acknowledging people of all ages as we weave music into social justice into buildings-n-grounds into our hospitality practices into fill-in-the-blank. What are you looking forward to with this experiment?

Through this “Whole Church RE” approach to our congregational life, may we honor and acknowledge the beautiful web we’re creating together at Peoples Church. I’m deeply grateful to be among you in this way.

With Love at the Center,

Rev. Carin Bringelson