First Parish Chelmsford Unitarian Universalist
From the Intern Minister, March 2023
March is a month of resurrection. Flowers and plants that have gone dormant for months will push forth from the cold earth and rise up again to meet the sunshine and the rain. I think sometimes my spirit does the same thing. It greets the warmth of spring with a kind of hopeful renewal. Like the flower that opens its petals to the radiance and warmth of the new season I want to open my arms and embrace the freshness that appears to paint the earth anew in lush greens and bright colors.
This is the season of the vernal equinox, Easter, Ostara, Holi, Naw Ruz, and Ramadan. Many old and modern cultures recognize the equinox as the beginning of the new calendar year. In fact, before 1752 the American colonies celebrated New Year’s Day on March 25. Spring is a time for renewal and reawakening.
This month I will offer an Earth Circle on March 19 at 6:30 pm. We will honor the Spring Equinox, adolescence, and the mystery of renewal. People of all religious traditions are welcome. Please bring a short poem and a snack to share.
On March 12 I will be delivering a second sermon on Radical Welcoming with a focus on how a congregation is an invaluable part of the church’s welcoming program. Come learn how you can become an ambassador without having to move to a foreign country.
– Ken Langer
From the Intern Minister, February 2023
When I was much younger, I used to spend my summers working at camps for handicapped children throughout Virginia. It was hard work but it was rewarding and there were always wonderful people that I met there, some of whom I have stayed in touch with over many years. One of the things we always talked about at camp was something called the Big Wednesday. Some people call Wednesdays “Hump Day” because it is in the middle of the week. Once you get past it, the weekend seems closer and the rest of the week becomes easier and more enjoyable. The weeks spent in summer camp also had a point in the middle where it felt like it was a challenge to get through. We called it the Big Wednesday. The first weeks of camp were fun and exciting but the hard work soon took its toll and people often felt like they would not be able to finish the summer. When the Big Wednesday hit, those who could push through it found their rhythm and were able to make it to the end and have a great experience.
I have reached the Big Wednesday of my internship. It’s hard for me to believe I am halfway through. It has been hard work and I have made my share of mistakes but that is part of the learning process. Many of you have been so helpful in offering your support and kindness to me and I want to thank you all for that. It has been my pleasure to work with you. Here’s to an even better second half! February will be a month of reflection and contemplation for me as I prepare for my MFC Interview in March. I will not be giving a sermon or leading an Earth Circle this month and am taking a week off from February 19-24. I will, of course, continue to see you on Sundays, at meetings, through meaningful projects, and in conversation
– Ken Langer