Rev. Barry Bloom's May 2017 Reflections

Life flows on eh?  Spring, then soon the hot dry days of Colorado’s brown summer.  Being present with it all is an opportunity to keep learning how to be conscious in a changing world.  How to breathe in life.  Every day I start with a prayer to be present, really awake and present in this beautiful world.  It helps. I have been gimping around on a right knee that has no cartilage left.  None.  After experimenting with all the lesser healing strategies, I have given in to the dreaded process of knee replacement surgery.  I say dreaded because I do not handle the meds well with which they will treat my pain afterward.  So, I am searching for alternatives to opioids and other strong stuff.  If you have any ideas, let me know.  I was originally scheduled for a late May operation, but as I learned more about my projected painful state during the first 3-4 weeks after the surgery, and knowing all that is going on here in May/June, I opted to re-schedule for June 27.  So starting then I will not be here in person during much of the summer (July and August) but will be available both during recovery, and after, once a week or so, to address church business electronically.
 
I am delighted that we have a number of new folks, and some who have been around awhile, to participate in the Joining Ceremony on May 7 during the service.  Anyone who has “signed the book,” but has not been through the ceremony, is invited to join us. Let Margaret know. 
 
The Annual Congregational Meeting will follow the service on May 21. It is another opportunity to practice a meaningful experience passed to us by our ancestors, namely, the practice of pure democracy.  Thomas Jefferson’s writing about democracy in the 1760’s and 70’s were inspired, in part, by the Cambridge Platform, the agreement made by the Congregationalists of New England in 1636 (which included us at the time) to practice church life (congregational polity) through a one person one vote process.   No top down leadership, instead governance by sacred agreement (covenant) to make decisions through friendly, respectful debate to reach decisions that reflect the spirit of the congregation.  That remains our goal today. There are worries that abound right now about the state of the world.  May we pray and act to make a difference in that world that needs us.
Peace,
Barry