Minister’s Musings ~ November 2016
Rev. Cathy Harrington
How appropriate that the theme for November is STORY after learning so much about the importance of sharing our stories from Fr Michael Lapsley, the founder of the Institute for the Healing of Memories last month. Thank you to all of you who helped bring his healing work to Chattanooga! We had two rich days of Healing of Memories workshops shared with our community and an inspiring worship and time of fellowship on Sunday, Oct 23rd. It was such a wonderful success that we are already planning Fr Lapsley’s next visit in May 2017! YOU made that happen! UUCC rocks!!!
Stories have been a documented part of human history since prehistoric times as evidenced in the cave paintings discovered in Europe and Asia estimated to be over 40,000 years old. Stories connect us to our ancestors and to each other. Every story needs a listener says Fr Michael Lapsley, founder of the Institute for the Healing of Memories. When our stories are heard, they are released from their earthly limitations. Our shared narratives can take shape like a ladder to the wide open sky where possibility resides.
When the stories we tell ourselves are trapped in the dark corners of our minds, they often run in circles gathering momentum expanding into nightmares or shrinking into unfulfilled dreams. When we share our stories, release them from the prison of our memory, our stories become inspirations, bridges, ladders, and are life-giving.
Some stories lose their scary masks when their words are heard and others transform failure into success or hope. Some stories have been buried for so long they have almost been forgotten, but they are still there waiting to be acknowledged. Sharing a personal story can be risky and choosing the proper listener is imperative. Start with a story that is easy to share. Identify a childhood story that served as your guiding tale.
How are you struggling right now to regain control of the storyline of your life? How are you and your friends working to regain control of the storyline of our community? Our country?
Or maybe control is not your work. Maybe your spiritual work is about finding a new storyline. Maybe retirement, divorce, illness or the empty-nest has closed the book on one story and is inviting you to leap into a whole new narrative.
Or try to write your spiritual journey or memoir in just six words. Hemingway wrote, “For sale: baby shoes; never worn.” On Sunday, November 27th we’ll share our six-word memoirs and favorite stories. Send your memoirs and stories to revharrington@mac.com and join me on the 27th to listen and share.
L, Cathy