![\"Rev.](\"https:\/\/myswan.info\/mz\/wp-content\/uploads\/bb-plugin\/cache\/s_thompson-circle.png\" "\\"Rev.")
\n\t\tRev. Shelly Thompson<\/p>\t\t\t\n\t
Hello my dear ones,<\/em><\/p>\n As we contemplate what it means to be a people of Integrity, I am drawn to one of this month\u2019s Soul Matters spiritual exercises that asks us to \u201cexplore the connection between integrity and memory.” Instead of asking us to remember a specific value or life lesson, it asks us to remember all of who we are: “It\u2019s a reminder that integrity is about finding and holding on to our wholeness.”<\/em><\/p>\n My wholeness, my identity, and so much of who I am is tied to where I am from and, more importantly, who I am from and how they loved me here, both in the past and the present. I learned to be a person of integrity by following my parents\u2019 examples. As an adult, I discovered the importance of belonging to a larger community of integrity that values the the wholeness of each individual member. I have found this belonging in my chosen faith community, Unitarian Universalism.<\/em><\/p>\n The poet and author George Ella Lyon wrote an autobiographical poem entitled Where I\u2019m From and invited people to use the poem as a template to write their own poems and share them in community to reveal the collective richness and wholeness that emerges from celebrating and accepting both our similarities and our differences. I have used that template many times to explore my sense of self and honor the experiences and people who have helped me \u201chold on to my wholeness.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Now that I belong here at TUCW, I have written a Where I\u2019m From poem that reflects my experiences in this community. I share it with you in love, and I invite you to consider writing your own Where I\u2019m From poems. My poem is below, and the template is linked at the very bottom.<\/em><\/p>\nIn Gratitude,<\/em> Where I’m From by Rev. Shelly Thompson<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n (Adapted from Where I’m From by George Ella Lyon with the author’s permission.)<\/em><\/p>\nI am from candle wax and the sulphur smell of blown out matches.<\/em> I am from the Victor Lundy mid-century modern sanctuary whose architecture speaks about leaving space for wonder.<\/em><\/p>\nFrom the glass walls that reveal the forest all around us, our spiritual home<\/em> From the time the children performed the Peddler, and everyone gasped and laughed and watched in amazement as Megaphobus the 10 foot tall green Ogre came thumping up the aisle. It was all the more amazing because we knew it was young Paige in there somewhere.<\/em><\/p>\nI\u2019m from memories stretching back over 70 years and telling it like it was back when<\/em> I\u2019m from a people who build and grow beloved community within an ever-widening circle of love, compassion and justice.<\/em><\/p>\n I am from the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Westport.<\/em><\/p>\n\t<\/a> \n\t\t
\nRev. Shelly<\/em>\n
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\nfrom no less than 8 choirs and from the grey hymnal.<\/em>\n
\nI am from the giant crooked oak tree that stands watch over the memorial garden on the top of the hill and the courtyard islands of shrubs and rocks that are perfect for the \u201cdon\u2019t touch the lava\u201d game.<\/em>\nI am from Homecoming and The Christmas Pageant<\/em>
\nFrom Frank Hall and Denny Davidoff and Ed Thompson.<\/em>
\nI am from hard-work and dedication and a schedule so full that each room and space has to be reserved in advance. Don\u2019t forget to ask Diane first.<\/em>\nFrom Each person is important and Build a fair and peaceful world<\/em>
\nI am from candles for Joys and Sorrows and Love is the Spirit of this church<\/em>
\nFrom Inspire Connect Act and the direct experience of transcending mystery and wonder.<\/em>\nI\u2019m from Transylvania, and Boston, Walden Pond and Fairfield County Connecticut.<\/em>
\nI\u2019m from Fellowship Blend Fair trade coffee and potlucks with vegetarian and vegan options. Soup sale Sundays and the “whatever people ate the day before” leftovers.<\/em>\n
\nFrom our children lighting the chalice and reminding us to be kind.<\/em>\nI am from the keepsakes in the library and the photo wall of all the ministers.<\/em>
\nFrom the blue bottle of gathered waters we use and re-blend every year<\/em>
\nand from revelation is not sealed.<\/em>\n“Where I’m From” printable template<\/h3>\t\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"