[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]As my kids have gotten older, we’ve learned to accept that whatever they want to watch on the internet, they are going to watch. It’s a little like when I was younger and my friends who didn’t have TVs would come over and want to watch TV the whole time. You just can’t stop teenage curiosity and ingenuity.
So instead of trying to lock down devices entirely, we have reminded them to ask themselves, “Is this really something you want to see? Because you can’t unsee it once you’ve seen it.”
Now, after they’ve made a choice to watch something they regret, they’ll say to me, Oh no, now I can’t unsee it!
And in this moment I feel both a twinge of parental pride, as well as a deep compassion and sympathy. Especially lately. Because lately, there have been many, many things I wish I could unsee.
The challenge in times like we’re in – overwhelming times, anxious times – however, is not to try to “unfollow” the painful or difficult realities around us. Because checking out would mean missing out on being a part of the healing and the transforming – in ourselves, and in the world.
Instead, times like these ask us to build the habits, and develop the inner fortitude to manage the anxiety and stress that arise when we stay present, honestly with reality, as it actually is: Heartbreaking. Overwhelming. Breathtakingly beautiful. Generous. Surprising. Still unfolding.
In our corner of reality this week, we got some news that I wish I could unsee…. Tanner Linden let us know that he has accepted a full-time position with the Church of the Larger Fellowship, the largest UU congregation, and the organization he’s been with for the last few years.
We are all really disappointed to be cut short on our time with Tanner – and also, after we all took those orienting deep breaths we’ve been practicing, we also are so glad for him and for Unitarian Universalism that he has this chance to do such important work. You can read more about his news in his letter here. And look for information on what’s next for the Foothills staff team in the coming weeks.
Whatever reality you’re trying to meet today, and whatever you’re wishing you could unsee – I hope you’ll join us this Sunday so we can keep practicing together. Alongside a few special guests from around Fort Collins, we will be exploring what happens when our reality comes into contact with another’s vastly different reality. I hope you’ll join us, at 9 or 11 – details below.
With love, and in partnership.
Rev. Gretchen[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
Rev. Gretchen Haley has an audacious ambition for the liberal church, believing in its capacity to transform lives and our world by way of hyper-local relationships and partnerships that inspire the unleashing of courageous love. She oversees worship, community resourcing and outreach, and the intersectional work of our justice teams. She also serves as chief of staff, and ministry lead to the Board. In all of these, she is inspired by the commitment of the countless people who show up to do the sometimes-messy work of the church, and who are leading us to live into our mission for Northern Colorado as it is growing and changing. Her ministry is infused with her relentless curiosity about most things, especially the big stuff of theology, the beauty of creation, the magic of collaboration, and the joy of pop culture. She’s all in on adrienne maree brown’s emergent strategy, and finds solace in the trails in and around Fort Collins. She moved to Colorado from Washington state over 20 years ago for grad school in theatre, and knew immediately that she would never leave. She and her amazing partner, Carri, have 2 teenagers, Gracie and Josef, who both relish and resent being PKs, and who keep her grounded, frustrated, inspired, and humbled, everyday. She is basically obsessed with her two dogs, both large mutts, Charlie and Archer.
Responsible for: Worship, Community Resourcing and Outreach, Justice Ministries, and Congregational Leadership
