A Rev. Bill Commentary: The View From Here

Greetings from Oaxaca! I write you from the apartment where Frances and I have spent the past eight Januarys. Today Saturday, January 26 will be typical. The temperature will range from about 52 to 74 degrees and with no chance of rain. I will make a breakfast of eggs and sliced papaya, both ingredients bought from friends Maria and Elena at our local, public market. We will meet Gary and Gia Commisk for dinner (they are down here for about 3 months). Oaxaca has its rough edges but we are drawn to it because we see a culture with a roots, friendly people, low prices for food and accommodations, and, of course, the weather. In a few days we will return to the Northwest and I am hoping for an easy commute over the Pass.

Looking over upcoming events I highly recommend the Pacific Western Regional Assembly, www.uua.org/pwr April 27-29 in Portland, OR. Speakers include civil rights activist, the Rev. Dr. William Barber; Washington Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, advocate for women’s, immigrant, civil, and human rights; and the Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, newly elected UUA president. Programming includes workshops, worship, district meetings, and an optional social justice activity. Childcare and youth programming will be available. Maggie, Jan J. and I will be there. Making connections with our larger movement is one of the ways to get the most out of your membership with KVUUC.

I am delighted to see our Search Committee for a new minister is up and running. As the congregation goes about this process I hope it will keep in mind the wisdom of A Parable for Pulpit Committees by Clinton Lee Scott:

Now it came to pass that while the elder in Israel tarried in Babylon, a message came to him from a distant city saying, come thou and counsel with us. Help us to search out a priest for the one that has served us has gone mad. And the elder in Israel arose and journeyed to that distant city. And when the men of affairs were assembled, the elder spake unto them saying, what manner of man seeketh thee to be your new priest? And they answered and said unto him, we seek a young man yet with the wisdom of gray hairs. One that speaketh his mind freely yet giveth offense to no one. That draweth the multitude to the temple on the Sabbath but will not be dis-pleased when we ourselves are absent. We desire one who has a gay mood yet is of sober mind. That seeketh out dark sayings and prophecies yet speaketh not over our heads. That filleth the temple, buildeth it up yet defileth not the sanctuary with a Motley assortment of strangers. We seeketh one that put the instruction of the young first but requireth not that we become teachers. That causeth the treasury to prosper yet asketh not that we give more of our substance. Verily we seek a prophet that will be unto us a leader but will not seek to change us, for we like not to be disturbed. And the elder in Israel answered and said unto them, when I have found such a priest I will indeed send him unto you, but you may have to wait long, for the mother of such a one has not yet been born.

In the Spirit of Love, Peace and Good Humor,

Rev. Bill