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Introduction
 ome
of you know that I go social dancing --- in particular, contra dancing
and something called English dance. Recently I attended a weeklong dance
retreat, where I took a class on Alexander technique. Led by a master
teacher, the goal of the technique is to improve posture and breathing
by reducing tension in the body. The method really works wonders.
First, it raises self-awareness of posture. More important, by teaching
the brain to send new signals to the body, the method includes mental
and physical exercises that reinforce good habits and change bad ones.
It takes concentration and repetition. Even when the mind understands,
the body may be weak, and take awhile to catch up. For instance, our
teacher worked with a violinist to stand more relaxed, yet when he saw
his violin --- his brain receiving the message ‘violin’ --- he tensed
his left arm as he reached for the instrument. Over and over with the
teacher, he practiced extending his arm without tensing muscles, and
finally he was allowed to take his instrument. Then they started working
on his bowing arm.
This might sound tedious. What I found, however, was that once I got on
to the method, I could assimilate a new habit rather quickly. I found
myself standing differently, sometimes without thinking about it. Sure,
I could loose the feeling, and have to re-group, but even in this
introductory class, I changed several bad habits of posture.
The key to Alexander method lies in the first step: the awareness of our
responses to routine stimulation and the intentionality to make informed
decisions about how to respond. The key is to interrupt --- Alexander
folks use the word ‘inhibit’ --- a set response by saying ‘no’ just long
enough for that awareness to kick in. On seeing his instrument, the
violinist learned to say, ‘Left arm, stay relaxed ... Now take the
violin.’
We spent the entire first class practicing ‘inhibition.’ At the end of
the retreat, the various classes demonstrated their work for one
another. Our teacher explained to the entire group that her class would
demonstrate what they learned. In response to her request for us to
stand up and come forward, we all remained staunchly in our seats and
shouted ‘no.’ We all passed with flying colors!
Defining Change
There are many life lessons in the Alexander method. In addition to
improved mental and physical health, it teaches how to increase our
capacity to be in charge of responses and reactions. Alexander technique
seems relevant to us at the beginning of a church year, because the
mindset of intentional response the method teaches is especially useful
during periods of change and transition.
Change is probably on everyone’s mind right now. This is a season of
change, literally. Temperatures dropped significantly this past week,
and many of us have recently returned to school or work after summer
breaks. Today here at church we are closing out the summer and starting
the fall calendar. All of us are experiencing new habits and activities:
what time the alarm clock goes off, what we bring to church for which
activity or class. In seasons of change we probably also experience
different emotions: nostalgia for the summer break, delightful memories
of friends we made at church last spring.
Change is also a common theme in this political season. I’ve heard many
different interpretations of what change really means: it is good, it is
unnecessary; it is best done by newcomers, old-timers know best. One
thing that is certain about change: change is unchanging. We can’t avoid
change. It is part of life. It is a sign that we are alive.
In fact, change is happening here in this congregation because this
congregation is alive --- I would say very well alive. Change is
happening here as new persons enter and others return from vacations, as
new activities are added to the calendar, as new spaces and places
appear around the building: a new office for Martin Blue-Norton, our new
Director of Lifespan Religious Education; new décor in the sanctuary; a
newly paved parking lot. On the personnel side, there is a new rotation
of lay leadership and committees, and significant changes in program
staff of the church. Our administrator, Julie Friend Highsmith, and our
Director of the Music Ministry, David Burrows, are not new employees,
but their roles were slightly changed over the summer. Martin is new,
since July, and filling a new role as Director of Lifespan Religious
Education. This ministry that I am honored to serve has grown from half
to three-quarter time, and is in the form of a ‘consulting ministry.’
... For newcomers and others wanting more explanation about consulting
ministry, check out President David Manning’s explanation in the current
church newsletter.
Just as in the Froggy Fable we heard earlier in the service, new animals
splashing in the pond bring change. The caterpillars among us may be
rejoicing, but probably everyone also has some frog in us: change can
also feel a bit intimidating, a bit scary. Not wrong, just scary.
Analysis of Change
Change is a given part of life. Even approached with the best
intentionality, change can take us through a range of reactions. I
remember once a grocery store in my neighborhood in Austin was remodeled
and expanded. I was so charged to shop there for new items, but I was
also frustrated because things weren’t in their usual places. The
manager of that store was wise: smiling clerks all around, helping
newcomers to the store to learn the ropes.
Change is challenging. Negotiating change is hard work, and
organizational change particularly challenging because of the group
dynamic. Experts in the study of change, including change in church
cultures, help us understand how to accomplish our goals for change, and
manage our reactions and emotions through change.
Big picture, change consists of three stages: letting go of the old,
waiting for the new, and taking on the new. The final five to ten
percent of change is often the hardest. There is a tendency to fall back
to old ways. We might do anything to avoid change. How often do you
repeat patterns, like sitting in the same general location in a theater
or plane? We even resist change that is in our best interests. Consider
addictions or unhealthy relationships: habits that aren’t good for us
but are so hard to change. Our opening hymn offered sound advice: ‘Don’t
be afraid of some change.’ Overcoming fears about change can help us
enter in.
Moving can be one of the most stressful changes: I know some of you can
attest to that, and so can I, still unpacking boxes as I am. I must say,
however, that moving here from the northeast has also added some calm to
my life. Compared to those New England roads that wind in all directions
in no predictable order, the parallel and perpendicular grid that
greater Denver is built on feels very welcoming. And the sense of
direction that most people have here is wonderful! Some people might
advising drive toward the mountains rather than heading west, but back
in New England the joke about driving directions is to go down the road
a bit --- don’t know how far --- and turn where the old Kroegers used to
be. I feel much assured here, knowing that most people here seem to know
which way north is!
So some change can be exhilarating. I know that this congregation has
experienced very successful, energizing change recently. You have much
to be proud of, for changes in numbers, in financial base, in physical
facilities, and much more. You have been the drivers of significant sea
changes here. You have been intentional about what to change, and what
not to change.
On the other hand, even in the best of circumstances, change produces
anxiety, if not around what task to do next, then around feelings about
who we are, and who we are becoming? What will we loose as we take on
the new? What if we grow too large, what if we exceed our financial
expectations? With all these significant changes happening here this
fall --- new lay leadership, new staff, new programming --- each of us
is called to be especially supportive of one another. Change does not
mean ‘either/or’: change can be ‘both/and.’ We can both grow and find
intimate relationships. We can both learn new theologies and stay
faithful to our personal beliefs. Taking on something new does not
automatically mean giving up something current.
Change as Core of Liberal Theology
Change may feel risky. But isn’t change really at the core of spiritual
life, at least in the liberal tradition? Isn’t spiritual transformation
one reason we come to church? What better place to risk exploring life’s
intimate and ultimate questions than in our religious communities. What
better place to pursue truth as each of us understands truth. My hope
for Sunday morning worship is that at least some of us at least some of
the time, go away from this sacred space a little or lot transformed
from how we entered
Change is also core to liberal theologies that Unitarian Universalists
follow. Consider a few liberal principles. Liberal theology understands
creation not as sealed. That is, creation didn’t happen once, fourteen
billion years ago and definitely not six thousand years ago. Instead,
creation is ongoing, ever open to new possibilities for spiritual and
religious paths: we are not required to believe tomorrow what we believe
today. The theologian Paul Rasor recently said this: ‘Liberal theology
is not for the faint of heart. It points us in a general direction
without telling us the specific destination ... It invites us ... to be
open to change without accepting change too casually; to take commitment
seriously but not blindly; to be engaged in the culture without
succumbing to the cultures’ values.”
I’ve mentioned my personal theology, process theology, the basis of the
seventh principle of Unitarian Universalism. --- The principles are
printed on the back of the order of service. --- Change is at the core
of process theology. Its name comes from a view of life as a constant
process of change. Reality lies not in substance but in relationship, so
that a new creation occurs every single second as relationships change.
I encourage everyone to claim their own personal theology or theologies,
because theology can help explain past experiences and ground future
decisions, in our personal lives, in our congregations, even in our
nation.
Resolution of Change
A grounding in liberal theological values prepares us well to deal with
change. These values call us to exercise patience through change. The
responsive reading earlier reminded us that everything comes in its
season. The caterpillar in our story knew that patience through change
will yield beautiful transformation in the end. My Alexander teacher
taught patience: if at first an exercise did not succeed, try again.
Patience through change also invites us to stay open for the unexpected.
Remain spiritually ready for what might happen to your soul as you look
at change with new eyes. You never know when you’ll come on a new hole
with an even better view.
Our liberal values also encourage trust during change. Trust in the
members and friends of this congregation, trust in this liberal faith,
trust in this process called life. I spoke last week about covenants.
May we be in covenant together, trusting that we are all acting with the
best intentions, as we build new partnerships and strengthen existing
ones. If anyone is uncertain or unclear about changes going on here, may
we remain open to asking questions for clarification, rather than
crawling into holes because we’d rather not deal with change. ... You’ve
probably noticed some changes in the order of service this morning.
Let’s give them a try, and remain open to adjusting again and again as
we more forward together as partners in worship.
Caution about Liberal Theology’s Support of
Change
I could not live any other way religiously except as a follower of the
liberal way. On the other hand, even this free faith calls us to settle
down occasionally. That is, to stop moving, stop changing, even for just
awhile ... After a series of changes, to find points of stability ... To
find stillness. Ambiguity can be energizing, but limitless ambiguity
sets my head spinning.
I suspect that many people accept unsettled states of being because we
are trying to be perfect, or nearly so. Rev Gilbert’s advice in the
reading is well heeded: our work is never done, there is always
unfinished business. At some point, we do well to ‘catch our breath,
relax our body, and loosen our grip,’ as we celebrate the power of the
incomplete and give change time to settle in before we go forward again.
I know this congregation has been doing this --- letting change settle
in. This congregation is managing its change well.
I can become quite task-oriented. Perhaps you can too. The tasks we do
matter .... your tasks have grown this congregation in amazing ways ....
The tasks matter, and can be some of our most important spiritual
practices. However, let us also not forget that we also come to this
sacred place to grow our souls. Especially during times of change, we
all do well to keep checking in with one another, to ask, ‘how goes it
with your soul?’
Going Forward
This congregation has accomplished amazing changes these past months and
years. Let us keep this spirit of positive change alive. As new folks
enter this community, which by definition means a changed community, may
we continue this good work of welcoming and embracing all.
So that we may all grow in understanding Unitarian Universalism all the
more, I also put out a few challenges to you. I invite you to consider
visiting another Unitarian Universalist congregation in the greater
Denver area: for a Sunday worship, for an educational or social event,
for a concert. I have heard many reports about how much congregants
learn by visiting other congregations. I also invite each of you,
especially if you consider yourself in leadership here, to attend at
least one denominational event this year. For instance, in mid-October
there is a district meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. And remember the
national General Assembly next June in Salt Lake City: wouldn’t it be
wonderful to have a huge contingent from CUUC there. Ask me or board
members for more information after the service.
Change can feel risky, especially as we get to know one another. In
times of getting acquainted, and in times when we have different views
--- and make no mistake, being free-willed Unitarian Universalists,
there will be differences among us, my friends --- our covenantal trust
can help us move through difference to unity, through change to
stability. Our covenantal trust in this shared ministry that is this
congregation can keep our partnerships strong. Our covenantal trust can
transform riskiness from anxiety into exhilaration. I call on all of us
to affirm our trust --- our faith --- in one another and in this
congregation.
Change creates new identity. Change stimulates us to ask, ‘Who are we?’
‘What is this church?’ Your place in this partnership matters. If you
were not here this morning and in Sunday mornings to come, this would be
a different congregation.
This congregation has been soaring through change and growth. May we
approach change in a spirit of partnership and unity. May the sky be our
limit as we move forward together in soulful partnership, in compassion
for all, and in love.
May it be so.
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