Today was ingathering at UUMAN.org. It is a time when everyone returns from their vacations and begins a new year as a congregation. As part of this we share in a water communion.
Everyone is invited to bring water from their journeys. In the past people shared it's origin and significance in a sentence, but this year everyone was invited to pour their water. Then some shared where the water came from.
I must admit I ws disappointed. I gave a lot of thought to where my water came from and where I am spiritually and looked forward to hearing from others. This is why I am posting it here, as it's one of those things I would write about anyway.
Water is a symbol of spirituality in many faiths and is used in rituals in many faiths. I have always enjoyed my most profound religious/spiritual experiences by bodies of water. Whether, Black River, Lake Moultrie, the Atlantic, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Koi pond at Fort Worth's Botanical Gardens; water has always made me introspective.
I debated whether to take water from Black River, as I have had my mind on famliy lately...both existing and perspective. However, it became clear I would not be getting to SC beforehand. So I considered the creek by my house which is part of the Greenway. I thought it was fitting given the very strong connection I have felt with the earth/environment lately.
In the end I chose water from my garden. It relates both to home and earth. It has been so dry lately there was none in the watering can and I only installed the rain barrel yesterday, so it came from my garden hose.
In keeping with my recent repurposing of found objects, I used the bottle I found at the bottom of Lake Moultrie nearly 30 years ago.
My summer has been filled with thoughts of family and having the laughter of a child in my home, but also with learning things about my relationship to the planet...like composting and saving water.
Both have brought me joy but also obstacles yet to be overcome, as most things do.
