How do we cultivate compassion amongst ourselves?

Dear LFUU Members and Friends,

Our program theme for October is Cultivating Compassion. How do we as a congregation cultivate compassion amongst ourselves? How do we become what we want to see in the world? To be the light?

Our congregation has been working on this for many years. About 20 years ago one of our members led several programs for us to learn and practice collaborative Dialogue. About 15 years ago we hosted Non-Violent Communication (AKA Compassionate Communication) speakers and weekly practice sessions for several years. The last 9 years we’ve hosted Braver Angels speakers and workshops on how to have compassion for those who have different political views.

What do we want to work on now? The challenges to free speech and dissent in our country are on top of my mind, so what I first think of is that we designate our Fellowship a safe space for free speech and dissent. In her recent editorial, ‘Transparency and Truth Are Not Optional’: Why Jimmy Kimmel’s Suspension Threatens Free Expression, UU World’s Executive Editor states: 

As Unitarian Universalists, we believe in the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. We covenant to learn, to question, to dissent.

--Kristin Cox Roby

At the A-frame let's take that a step further: we covenant to speak respectfully. And then another step: we covenant to listen deeply. Not only do we then learn from each other, we’re able to find value in what others say even if we disagree with it, allowing us to find value in them. To have compassion for them. And then we take those skills and compassion “out of the A-frame” into the world. We become the light.

Do you agree? If not, what do you suggest we focus on to cultivate compassion at Lake Fellowship? Why?

Yours in Fellowship,

Laurie Gauer