Dear Beloved Community,
I am so happy to let you know that I am on the other side of a successful total hip replacement. Hip Hip Hooray, Indeed!
As I enter my fourth week of recovery, I feel renewed and energized. During last week's Sunday service, I was reminded of a favorite Charles Fillmore affirmation: "I verily sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm to spring forth and do what is mine to do today." This time of restoration and healing has been so rich with insights, many of which I look forward to sharing with you. Today, I wish to share with you that my Spirit is filled with this zeal and enthusiasm. However, the protocol for recovery suggests that this body springs forth a bit carefully for a few more weeks to allow the soft tissue to heal.
I returned to the virtual office this week, returning to the office the week of June 16. I will be the ministerial host on Sunday June 22. We are blessed to have Reverend Elizabeth Thompson and an All Together Now Youth Service that carries us through June.
Reverend Paula Mekdeci will return to the Platform on July 6 for the first time since her retirement! I am grateful the community will have an opportunity to be together again with Reverends Paula and Richard, who have lovingly shaped Unity Renaissance making it the brilliant community it is today. Please join us as we bless them as they prepare for their next adventure in France.
I will return to the platform on July 13, which marks my one-year anniversary with the community.
I am grateful beyond measure for the support and encouragement by our leadership to take the time to truly heal. During this time, this community has showered me with cards, blessed me with meals, helped me in my home, driven me to therapy and more. At times, it felt hard to just receive all this love and support. Sometimes, beloveds, that is exactly what we are called to do: rest, receive, and allow the grace of Spirit to shower us with love and support through all those around us.
The Desiderata has a line I love: "Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself."
I encourage us all to be in that beautiful ebb and flow of giving and receiving, knowing they are indeed one. May we temper our zeal, drive and discipline with a gentleness that allows us to soften and receive love. May we remember that sometimes the springing forth is about an Inner Spring that simply needs to flow in the stillness to allow Its healing waters full sway. May we be poised, waiting upon the Lord, the I Am of our being to guide us in Divine Right Timing and Action according to Its will and timetable. May we love ourselves as we have been so richly and rightly loved.
I wish to acknowledge our amazing staff, Board, and volunteer teams that keep things rolling. They are rock stars! Please make a point to reach out to one or more and thank them for all they do!
I Love You,
Reverend René