August 20, 2026
One of the greatest gifts of being the spiritual leader of Unity Renaissance is you.
Over time, many of you have shared with me your unique perspectives, ideas, desires, and the gifts you feel called to bring into this community. I treasure those moments of connection and discovery
Recently, I received an email from Gerald Klaverkamp sharing a piece of his creative writing entitled Showing Up. It touched my heart—as Gerald does every time we interact—and reminded me once again what a treasure our people are.
We celebrate, honor, and delight in the voices of our youth every Sunday—and I say, Yay! Let’s keep doing that! And alongside those young voices is another part of our community carrying deep wisdom, perspective, and lived experience: those who have walked this spiritual path with us for decades, and whose lives have been shaped by the journey.
Some might call them our wise elders. I simply call them treasures.
Today, I’m delighted to share the writing of one of those treasures. Gerald, thank you for sharing your heart and your words with us.
Please enjoy Showing Up this week. ~Reverend René
"Showing Up"
by Gerald Klaverkamp
Bought a potted rose three years ago, and left it on the patio, not in the ground. Sun and rain took care of it. When not, I gave it a glass of water.
It flourished: six or eight blossoms a summer. Rich green leaves always waved proudly then several branches went brown and crisp, only leaves remained. After trimming wondered if I had trimmed too far.
Green leaves all the way up the center stem, and there an odd one appeared, tightly wrapped and slightly plump ... declared it was not through. A bud, no less, is Showing Up.
A life force, a soul-like energy, not stick nor soil, stand up to say "I am here Lord."
“Showing Up - Part 2”
Life is about Showing Up. However that is done. I show up, and I do not know how. Once I thought I knew, and sometimes did not want to. And that is how He found me, and showed me how He Loves me. Always He shows up, and forever Loves me, without conditions. He beckons me to love myself, --- and my beloved siblings, --- and Himself, --- as He shows --- with no reason or explanations, gratuitously.
So moving on, I'll show up however I do, with the Love He shows me. Older and weaker than when I ran and worked. Slower than when I thought I could ... think things out. I'll stand up when I can, and sit or nap as needed. I'll hold an embrace, or a kiss, a shoulder, or a hand --- with promise of Love from the Other side.
Love, Gerald