September is drawing to a close already as the wheel of the year continues to turn us towards less sunlight and cooler temperatures. I am feeling grateful that we have not had any major storms to deal with so far this season. Let us remain vigilant and prepared, however, as we still have a couple months to go.

But what about the other “storms” out there? The ones brewed up on a daily basis by this administration? Not only can we not let our guard down, but we must build it up, paying close attention to how we need to support and care for each other and the vulnerable who live in our surrounding communities. Building Belonging (our theme for September) is multi-faceted. Not only are we building, but we are sheltering and protecting along with shaping and creating new ways of being together.

One thing we didn’t address this month was the shape of the community we are building. I found an inspiring article written by a member of a Buddhist sangha in which the shape of a mandala is suggested: https://www.lionsroar.com/building-blocks-of-belonging/

What a delightful image! A few years ago, the UUCL Board of Trustees was contemplating different ways to visualize our church governance structure. It was really difficult and we ended up just going with the default structure: board and minister at the top, committees underneath, subcommittees under that. It’s not bad. It works and it is at least not pyramid shaped with only one person at the top, making all the decisions, unable to see all the dimensions of a problem or issue. As UUs, we engage in shared ministry, and our organizational chart somewhat reflects that. But a mandala shape…how intriguing, how seemingly fit for shared ministry. I think there’s room for exploration here.

Here’s a peak at the idea mentioned in this article. I hope you find it intriguing, too, so that as we continue to Build Belonging, we are also giving thought to our shape and the contours of power. It takes all of us to build a church!

“Imagine a mandala, with its concentric and overlapping geometrical shapes and patterns, the many circles, triangles, and squares. The mandala was originally meant to represent wholeness. It is a model for the organizational fabric of life itself, a cosmic diagram that shows the relationship to the infinite and the world that extends beyond, and within, our minds and bodies.

The mandala also provides an alternative shape for community in a postpatriarchal world. By the principle of mandala, decision-making happens in circles, in the sense of collaborations and conversations. The circle model is one of relational wisdom, a shape that centralizes the wisdom of the group.

At times these circles become literal, as in the practice of council, a nonhierarchical practice of sitting in a circle and sharing voices with a “talking stick.” The talking stick ensures that everyone in the circle is invited to speak and that everyone must listen deeply to everyone else.”

Take good care this week!

In Faith,

Heather