LESLIE’S LOGOS – JUNE 2025

One of my favorite things about Sundays is when I walk out of service and I see the faces of people that I know care for on each side of the aisle and I see that little spark of joy or renewal in their eyes. I might’ve seen the same person come in looking tired, or giving me a little eye roll. So, to see them coming in to that frame a little new renewed, a little more connected to what they believe in makes me happy. I like to believe they are feeling themselves seen in a different way.

Being a place where people can be seen where they can bring their whole selves, complexities, and all is an incredible gift in this troubled world.  Being that place where the water that we swim in is soaked with value, where we can be affirmed and the goodness of ourselves is a real antidote to a world of derision, disregard and mockery. 

To operate in a system that honors rules we have agreed upon as we will at our annual meeting this Sunday, where we can participate with the fullness of our experience, matters. We can celebrate that here we don’t have to worry that the processes that should protect us have been broken or changed. This is running through a sprinkler on a hot day or having something cold to drink after a long walk,  like that first couple bites of food after a time of not being able to eat. All of this is so important. And I’m appreciative of those that come that greet one another that welcome newcomers that help with the children that give up their time and their energy to make this refreshment happen. It’s a refreshing of our values. It’s a refreshing of our spirit. It’s refreshing of our hearts, reminding us that this sustenance is there for us just as much as anything else is. This is a community of sustenance, and we may need a little encouragement to continue to offer that to one another and I hope we will continue because it’s so important in these times you are like a drink of water. You are like the first morsel of food after a period of denial.

In faith and perseverance,

Rev. Leslie Takahashi

Rev. Leslie serves as Lead Minister and is best reached at leslie@mduuc.org or by the church phone.  Schedule an appointment with Rev. Leslie at https://calendly.com/revlesliemeet