Eric Posa
Do not ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and then go do that. For what the world needs is people who have come alive.
- Howard Thurman
Learn your theories well, but put them aside when you touch the miracle of the living soul.
- Carl Jung
Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church,Carrollton, Texas
Ordination of Rev. Frieda Gillespie
June 18, 2006 - me, with my fiance� Suzi
I tend to be an extroverted person - while usually not the most talkative person in the room, I'm generally energized by the presence of other people. Spending social time with a few friends is one of the most nurturing activities I know. That said, I find (like many people) that as I mature, I'm developing more of a balance between extroverted and introverted tendencies. While I still thrive around friends at times, I'm more likely to enjoy watching a movie alone or with my fiance�, Suzi, listening to music, or driving out into the country at night to look up at the stars.
I am divorced, but have been partnered for more than a year with Suzi; we are engaged to be married on May 26 of this year. Neither she nor I have children, and both of our fathers are deceased. Her mother and sisters all live in other states across the country. My mother, Retha, lives alone in the house in Kennedale (near Fort Worth) where I grew up. Her health is currently OK, but she is elderly and slowly declining. It will be important for me, wherever I may live and serve, to return regularly to visit her.
While I'm currently living alone in San Antonio, that's only because of Suzi's work. She could not in good conscience leave her long-term position as an academic librarian in Fort Worth, to follow me to an interim ministry which we knew would be temporary. We have decided that she will move with me to College Station, though job circumstances may delay this a couple of months. I experience Suzi as extremely supportive of my ministry, and I value and support her vocation and her life goals. Suzi has had a rich and diverse spiritual journey, and a history of religious scholarship, but is new to Unitarian Universalism. She plans to explore opportunities for involvement in the church, while balancing this with her career needs and the importance of avoiding overcommittment.
As I mature, and especially since my CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education, when I served as chaplain), I have been more intentional about my self-care. I strive to set aside some time every morning for prayer and reflection, usually with some spiritual text as my focus. I find that I maintain my center and balance more easily when I engage my spiritual practice regularly, thus I stay present and grounded with others in my ministry during these times.
home page