Rev. Megan
Berkowitz
Rev. Amy
Clark Feldman
Pastor Megan
October 6, 2023
“But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
ask the plants of the earth, and they will teach you,
and the fish of the sea will declare to you.”
Job 12:7-8
Dear church,
When Leila and I first decided to adopt a rabbit, my first-ever pet, I had visions of what it would be like. Most rabbits don’t like to be handled, but Rosey was only 5 weeks old when we met. Surely he’d warm up to it! Plus, he’s a Flemish Giant, a breed known for their low-key, friendly temperaments.
Ha. Rosey has been FEISTY from the day we brought him home. He let us weigh him in a mixing bowl on the kitchen scale exactly once (1lb 4oz) before deciding that he preferred to be on the ground, thanks, and communicating that preference with his claws. He runs when he sees us coming with the carrier, the brush, the vacuum, and even the lint-roller.
But…if we sit on the floor near him, he comes up to us immediately. He headbutts us, demanding attention, and lays fully stretched out so we can pet his head, back, belly, tail, and ears. He jumps for joy when we get up in the mornings, and he runs to greet me when I get home. He and I share an apple, banana, or some blueberries most mornings. When we learned to put away some of our expectations in favor of the needs he was communicating, all three of us got along better.
The scripture for Bible study and worship this week has to do with right relationship: honoring the needs of ourselves, of our neighbors, and of God at the core of building connections. The scriptures are full of such lessons. Sometimes, though, we just need to learn a different way, and more-than-human creatures can teach us.
Peace,
Megan
Past Posts
- From Our Pastors
Pastor Megan
December 8, 2024
Advent is the season of Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love; it is the season of anticipation and joy in the gift of Christ we already know has entered the world and is eternally present among us; it is, for many of us, a season of parties and gift-giving and whirlwind celebrations. Learn More - From Our Pastors: November 29, 2024Pastor Megan
November 29, 2024
UCC Professional Development Program I returned last week from the fall gathering of NGLI, the UCC’s professional development program for young clergy. We gather each fall in Arizona for a time of creative learning, prayer, worship, music, and more. The setting, in the desert outside of Phoenix, is an intentional choice by the program organizers. Learn More - From Our Pastors: November 15, 2024Pastor Megan
November 15, 2024
Congregational Meeting Recap Thank you to everyone who joined in the Congregational Meeting last Sunday, and particular thanks to co-moderators Susan Hunt Stevens and Susan Gedrick for leading us, and to Jaap van Reijendam for ensuring those on Zoom could take part as well. The brief workshop Leila led on 1:1s, in the GBIO and community organizing model, gave us a tool for connecting with one another more deeply. Learn More - From Our Pastors: November 8, 2024Pastor Megan
November 8, 2024
Post Election Interfaith Gathering I want to share with you a small portion of how I opened our interfaith post-election gathering, as we prepare to gather in community together this Sunday for worship and the congregational meeting. Learn More - From Our Pastors: October 18, 2024Pastor Megan
Octoberr 18, 2024
Recent Celebrations Did you miss the recent celebrations at church? Here are some photos from our new sign celebration and the Blessing of the Animals! It has been a fall of connecting – with one another, the wider community, and God’s creation (including beloved pets like Barky, Felix, Jack, Rosey, and Lucy!). Learn More - From Our Pastors: October 11, 2024Pastor Megan
Octoberr 11, 2024 So much in the world at large and within our own community and families feels like it is in upheaval, right now. War, storms, the coming election, health challenges, grief, transitions, and more make it feel as though the ground is shifting for so many of us. I was reminded in a conversation this week of the framework offered by Joanna Macy in The Work that Reconnects. In it, she explains that how we choose to tell the story – of the world and society at large, but also of our lives – affects how we feel and how we act. Learn More - Hurricane ReliefAs I’m sure many of you have been, I have been devastated to see the pictures and reports coming out of communities in the Southeast that have been affected by Hurricane Helene, and wanting to find ways to help. One of the blessings of being affiliated with our two denominational partners is that our impact to help when disasters like this occur can be magnified by the existing systems of support that the denominations have in place. Learn More
