I'm a Unitarian Universalist minister who lives in Rochester, NY. I came to the ministry at midlife, after a life change that placed me on a journey of discovery. For five years I served the Brockport Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in Brockport, NY, stepping down from that position in June 2014. During the 2013-14 academic year I taught two Unitarian Universalist courses at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. During 2014-15, I was a chaplain resident at Strong Memorial Hospital, and for two years after that I served as a part-time chaplain at Strong. This past year, I was privileged to serve as Interim Minister at First Universalist in Rochester, and now I am newly retired (except for occasional overnight shifts at Strong)! It is my continuing privilege to use my voice and my time in support of liberal religion, in opposition to oppression in any form, and in support of spiritual growth and renewal.
I offer you "A Friendship Blessing," by John O'Donohue, from his book Anam Ċara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom. The words anam ċara, which appear at the end of the poem, are Gaelic for soul friend, or friend of your soul. Your anam ċara might be another person, your self or body or life, or the ineffable mystery at the heart of all.
May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul
where there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
may they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth, and light
that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam ċara.
May you be blessed with good friends.
May you learn to be a good friend to yourself.
May you be able to journey to that place in your soul
where there is great love, warmth, feeling, and forgiveness.
May this change you.
May it transfigure that which is negative, distant, or cold in you.
May you be brought in to the real passion, kinship, and affinity of belonging.
May you treasure your friends.
May you be good to them and may you be there for them;
may they bring you all the blessings, challenges, truth, and light
that you need for your journey.
May you never be isolated.
May you always be in the gentle nest of belonging with your anam ċara.