THE MARRINER'S COMPASS | JOURNEYS

REV. GAIL LINDSAY MARRINER 

UU Santa Fe Minister

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My family is in the midst of planning a trip for this month. Over the kid’s spring break we will be headed to the east coast for a long overdue visit to Nathaniel’s parents and a much anticipated side trip to Washington D.C. Guests in the pulpit are all lined up, we have our airline reservations and car rental and pet care arrangements made. We still need to pack, sort out gifts for relatives and figure out what to see in D.C. but we are on schedule. I don’t travel very often so I forget out how much preparation it takes.

Our Soul Matter’s theme this month is Journey, so in a way the timing of this family trip feels appropriate. Maybe the planning, driving, flying, visiting, flying, exploring and returning will help me stay grounded in the details of real journeys as we explore some more abstract kinds of journeys on Sunday mornings! Right now we are on track to reflect on the aging process as a journey, the labyrinth as a reminder that most journeys aren’t straight lines, and the possibility that many journeys are ends in themselves and arriving at some goal is really not the point.

I know that many of you are enthusiastic and experienced travelers and so as we embark on this month’s “Journey” theme I invite you to recall your travels: where have you been? Why did you go where you went? How did you travel? Who were your companions? What surprised you along the way? What important things did you learn?  What did you learn from traveling that has informed how you live your life? At least one of this month’s services will include time for conversation on these questions–I look forward to hearing what you have to share!     

Blessings, Gail

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