Continuing Conversations
with The Reverend Gordon Clay Bailey
November 2021
History
My friends these are not the same thing; to get one you may have to give up the other. In other words, oftentimes, if you want to maximize the likelihood of experiencing the good in the present, you might diminish the likelihood of creating great moments, great history, to look back on in the future.
Take for example this illustration: Come to UUCLV on any given Sunday, get involved with the speaker and the activities of the congregation, volunteer for Social Justice or Hospitality, or RE and before you know it, you are more deeply involved, making closer contact with members and friends of the congregation. In fact you might find yourself chairing a committee, serving on the board, volunteering to lead a workshop on deepening your spiritual connection through activism on the congregational level. It could lead to being involved with Nevadans for the Common Good or the Interfaith Council, or maybe getting involved with the Pacific West Region and volunteering for the regional assembly. You know you may even be a delegate to GA or become the UUNO or UUSC rep? I don't know, because I'm not inside of you, but what I do know about, is making meaning and building memories/history that not only fill our thoughts with gladness but actually will warm us in the days ahead. It is those things we do that make us happy, those things that make us proud, those things that give life and affirm who and what we are. These are the events and deeds of a life lived well. I believe it is worth the effort and in time my dear UUCLV community, it will pay dividends for you, for me, for our congregation, the community/region, the UUA and the world.
The actions of our lives make a difference. The joys, the sorrows, the ambivalent actions and reactions all make a difference. You may find merits to both serving our individual wants and that of serving the needs of the larger world. Our congregation in Las Vegas, in so many ways’ looks like the world in micro. We have diversity here. We have beauty here. We have challenges here. We have joys and upsets here and yet when we gather together and when we decide to come together to make a difference for individuals of this city and this county we collectively can and do great things.
So let's use this month of November 2021 to continue to make great historical memories. The ones you might recall long and far from this moment. The experiencing of both individual and collective joys; like being able to be in the moment at Red Rock or some other beautiful location; to be mindful, meditative, and attentive; to feel each sensation. How about the ability to have a great meal in a low-stress situation. Oh how I have missed dining out! How about the special season that is in reality every season of the year but somehow from Halloween through the New Year so many celebrations, parties, gifts, and more will be shared. For me, it's the pressing forward of our congregation with the workshop on the 13th and stepping into the future with this congregation as your called minister, as a public act that has a chapter open in my book. Memories, history, good times and spiritual directions in place. Oh what a time!
We are living in times that require intentional living. Choices are being made about global things that will affect us all. Our nation continues to be divided and another set of elections will be upon us before we know it. Every election season says alot about who we are as a community, county and as citizens of the world. Our community here in Las Vegas and Clark Co are in the midst of changes and challenges. I’m focusing on making history here in Las Vegas. What about you? How shall you make history? How shall we at UUCLV set into motion the making of good history?
Someone sang a song long ago that I loved dearly, about memories, about the history we share. Let's make history, scattered pictures of smiles, hugs, hard work, and merry making. Let this season of November be a time of thanks and giving. Let us celebrate the gifts of life and possibilities that exist within our realm of possibilities. May each of us lead peace filled loving lives. May each of us be the change agents this world needs. May each of us make memories/history each day that fill our cups so that they run over with good!
In faith, Thanksgivings and love,
Rev Gordon Clay Bailey