Gray Areas:
Reflections from the Minister

The Rebellion of Self-Care

November is the month we have chosen to explore the idea of Rebellion. When you think of rebellion do you think of war? Of children who defy their parents? What comes to mind? What about subtler rebellions? I've heard several families talk about releasing clutter, creating a simpler life. Some of you are planning Christmas seasons based around experiences. We live in a society that is focused on consuming. Releasing stuff, choosing experiences over purchasing, both are their own act of rebellion.

Living with love for yourself is one of the greatest rebellions in our society right now. As we enter the holiday season we all get busier and often this results in increasing stress. It seems that our society almost expects us to be busy and active to the point of stress.

I encourage you to rebel this season! Set aside time every day and week to care for yourself, to do something that renews your spirit. Here are some ideas:

• Spend time in nature
• Schedule time for yourself
• Express emotion through art
• Keep a dream journal -- it can open you to greater self-understanding
• Be a self-activist -- fight for your rights
• Keep a smile journal -- collect articles, jokes, and pictures that make you laugh

There are many things you can do to connect with yourself, which helps us all be open to connection with one another. What else do you do for self-care?

May we all rebel this holiday season and renew our spirit.

About Jennifer Gray

• Jenn grew up in Topeka, Kansas; went to school in Boston, Massachusetts; and has done ministerial internships in Napa, California and Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. She is ready to stay in one place!
• Jenn came to Unitarian Universalism as an adult, as a result of a sermon on racism the Topeka UU fellowship was having in 2006, and she found her spiritual home there. She decided in 2008 to become a minister, and graduated from seminary in 2012. Before becoming a minister, she's worked with developmentally-disabled persons, in domestic violence shelters, received suicide-prevention training, and taught English-as-a-second-language classes.
• When asked what she considers to be a spiritual or meaningful sermon, she responded: "I like to remember that it is likely that someone in the church will be experiencing a really big joy and someone else is going to be feeling sorrow or grief. You need to keep that kind of range in mind when you design a sermon or service. You want something that appeals to both head and heart, and there needs to be some sort of takeaway. People want to hear about how the message relates to us as UUs; how we can use it in our lives; and that it affirms who we are."
• Jenn finds inspiration for sermons everywhere. Her bookshelf is a big help. She will often listen to other ministers' sermons and podcasts and read about other traditions. Something might come to her when she is playing with her niece and nephew, going for a walk. She thinks it is important to be open to it all the time, even if someone says something in an offhand way.
• Jenn describes (only half-jokingly) her theology as being Deist and Humanist on alternating days. She also writes: "I don't think a belief in a higher power of any kind is necessary for a complete existence. I also feel a strong kinship with Earth Centered Traditions, and feel a great deal of spiritual renewal when I am in nature."
• Jenn is a single lesbian female, without children, and is close to her family in Kansas and friends around the country. She loves spending time with her niece and nephew, who are 6 and 3. She has also come out as a geek and loves to play multi-player role-playing games. She loves to hike, write, and learn new things.
• When asked what drew her to express interest in us, Jenn said that although she wasn't initially interested in a part-time (¾ time) position, she could tell from the webpages of our packet and congregational record how dynamic and committed to our mission that we are, and she was thrilled to find out that we have such a well-defined Constancy of Purpose. She has known for a while that she wanted to serve a congregation that is active in social justice. She "loved what [we] had to say about [ourselves] and I decided to go ahead and apply anyway. And then I came to Indiana to meet all of you and fell in love with your congregation through your eyes. There are so many things I enjoyed. I feel that you are a very healthy congregation at a great time in your life. I think we can do great work together." She also wrote that "this search is about finding a call. And I do feel called to walk with all of you on this journey."

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Email Rev. Jennifer Gray