Tuesday, July 12, 2011

The Compassionate Congregation

The discussion on Sunday July 10 was a response to a request earlier in the summer from a member whose family includes an adult child with mental illness.  Dianne Turpin, employed some years ago with our local Crossroads Community, led the discussion.  

Her goals for the morning were four.  Participants would know that:

1.  Mental illness is more common than generally acknowledged.  National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) says one in four adults/57.7 million Americans in a given year.

2.  UUA has a strong history of advocacy re: mental illness and strongly endorses NAMI and their efforts.

3.  Stigma is a large part of the problem and there are many ways in which any one of us can fight stigma.  (For example: See Stigma Busters at NAMI website)

4.  Families with a mentally ill member live with an often invisible disabililty, and if we, UUCR, are mindful, and compassionate, we may be able to help.

Closing words were from 365 Tao, Deng Ming Dao:  "Above all, be compassionate.  This is a stand against all evil, and it opens your spirit."

Following discussion several small cluster conversations formed around the room.  An offer was made to form a support group--a generous offer that clearly would address a need within our UUCR community. 

Comments are welcome to continue the dialogue.  Please remember this is a public blog.

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Living Lightly

This morning's discussion topic was "Living Lightly on the Earth".  I would like to suggest some additional resources and ideas:

The books I mentioned:
   Walden by Henry David Thoreau
   Small Is Beautiful by E.F. Schumacher
   Voluntary Simplicity by Duane Elgin
   The Not So Big House by Sarah Susanka

Google "voluntary simplicity" to pull up a host of websites and blogs with great practical ideas and suggestions for how to de-clutter your accumulation of material possessions, love what you have, and how to deepen your sense of inner peace and contentment.

If you have a lot of stuff you would like to get rid of, hold a yard sale!  If you don't want to do that, list items you would like to sell on a website such as Craig's List.  This works for bigger ticket items.  To give away stuff, list them on Freecycle (there is a local Freecycle group started by the Green Sanctuary Committee at UUCR and now listing over 500 members! at:  kentmdfreecycle-owner@yahoogroups.com).  Or donate items in good condition to local places such as Women in Need, Hidden Treasures, or Nearly New.

Anyone want to continue the discussion?

Pat