Out In The Mountains : Columns - The Spiritual Essence

Ever since humans formed into groups, there has been religion.People came together for survival, but they also came together to wonder aboutthe world around them – what caused rain and drought, the phases of themoon, and babies to be born. People – in community, caring for children,finding food, fighting off threats to their survival – wondered about thethings that went on around them. This was the first spiritual experience.

Over time, the ideas about these things were organized into stories, and thestories were told, and told, and told. Sometimes, in the retelling, the storieschanged, and grew and developed. People gathered together to find comfort in thestories, and in the company of one another. Unfortunately, this spiritualexperience, in many cases, became complicated by rules, and rites, andhierarchies as the major world religions came together in formation.

Today, people can choose among a wide variety of religious traditions – somethousands of years old – to help them find a place in the world, to helpthem understand the mysteries, and to find comfort. However, some people chooseto express their chosen faith in solitary, and others, in community. There is anenormous difference.

While many people feel they have gained a close relationship with God throughdaily scripture reading and prayer, or have a grounding experience with Buddhistmeditation or Wiccan ritual, the deepest spiritual experience is often found incommunity. Alone, one can ponder the mysteries, and deepen one’s connectionwith the divine, but … then what? There is no one else to bounce ideas offof, to have theological conversations with, no one to challenge assumptions andinterpretations. And, mostly, there is no one there to share in the holy moments– the big ones like birth, death, coming of age, and the honoring oflong-term relationships. But also in the less recognized ones – losing orgetting a job, feeling lost or depressed, bearing the pain of separation ordivorce, buying a home, or starting a business.

During the week of April 16-21, I had the magnificent opportunity to be part of acommunity spiritual experience as my congregation opened its doors and its heartto activists and protestors who were headed to Quebec City during the Free TradeArea of the Americas meeting. In little, sleepy Derby Line this past week, weturned into media central as people waited to see what would happen. Wouldthousands of protestors be turned back, frustrated, and take their anger out onDerby Line? Or would people move through the area peacefully, understanding theneeds of a small town?

There was peace, plenty of soup, and a bunch of frustrated people who were unableto get across for myriad reasons, and they all found themselves in the basementof the First Universalist Parish where they were met with a smiling face, a cupof coffee, and a spread of great food. Church members and friends offered alistening ear, and a welcoming smile. We answered questions. We showed them tothe bathroom. We found them housing. We called the press. We gave them space fora quick nap or a game of chess. This was spiritual community at its best.

I don’t think that all the volunteers knew they were on a religious mission,but feeding and housing strangers is one of the oldest duties of the faithful. Wewere there not only to provide for people’s basic needs, but also to bringpeace to a frightened town, and create a home away from home for stranded folks.This could not have been done by one person alone; we needed everyone –those who made soup or chili, those who scrubbed out old coffee pots and filledthem full, those who patiently answered the phone, gave directions over and over,and who made people feel welcomed. It truly was a community – of both thelocal people, and the people who were just passing through.

For many years I practiced my faith alone. I found much joy and connection innature, and in my practice. But finding a spiritual community filled in themissing link. I urge all of you to consider what your religious community is,whether you have yet joined or not. There is so much out there to touch oursouls, and how much better it is if we have others to share the joy – andthe sorrow – with. There is a spiritual community out there, waiting foryou, your ideas, your concerns, your energy, and your life.

The Rev. Jane Dwinell serves the First Universalist Parish, a Unitarian Universalist congregation, in Derby Line, VT. She lives with her partner, Sky, and their two children, Dana and Sayer, on the shores of beautiful Lake Memphremagog.