the OUUC spark
August 31, 2023
Keeping Our Hearts Open - Rev. Mary Gear
Last Sunday, some of us gathered in the lower parking lot to recognize and mourn the death of Bri, a young woman who lived in an RV on OUUC property on occasion. We gathered in the shade of the trees in the safety of our parking lot. Safer, anyway, than a world that Bri sought refuge from. Bri had a hard life, and her ending was tragic. She died by apparent overdose, most likely alone, on Wednesday, August 9.
We gathered as humans have done for all of our existence. We gathered to mourn this loss and all our losses. We gathered to name the injustice in our community. We gathered to share the pain of grief. We gathered to know that we are not alone.
Bri’s life and death brought the injustice of homelessness and addiction close. We could not and did not turn away. And our hearts were broken by the reality of what we saw. We were present to bear witness to Bri’s life, Bri’s humanity, and Bri’s death. We hung ribbons with our blessing to be carried on the wind and we left chalk art messages of peace and love.
Bearing witness means keeping our hearts open in the face of loss and pain, in the face of hardship and inhumanity. It can be challenging to keep our hearts open when we want to turn away, to avoid pain, to minimize the impact that breaks our hearts. Yet, when we minimize, ignore, and deny, we lose connection with the realities of life, the joys and the sorrows.
For more information, you can attend Overdose Awareness Day today (Thursday, August 31) at Heritage Park from 1-7pm.
May your heart be open to what is in our community and our world, the joy and celebration as well as the sorrow and grief.
Blessings on your week,
Rev. Mary
Words from Rev. Maureen Killoran
Open your hearts, my friends,
And let yourself feel the reality of absence.
Open your hearts and acknowledge
That we gather in the presence of death.
Open your hearts. Make room
For the healing balm of connection, the release of forgiveness.
No matter what pain dwells within your spirit,
Or how fragile the hope that struggles to be born,
There is a place for you here
In Life’s holy circle
Of compassion and love.
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Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Website: https://www.ouuc.org
Email: liberalfaith@ouuc.org
Location: 2315 Division St NW, Olympia, WA, USA
Phone: (360) 634-2005
Office Hours
Tuesday - Thursday, 10:00 am - 2:00 pm
Staff Contacts
Rev. Mary Gear, Minister
Rev. Sara Lewis, Director of Community and Faith Development
Troy Fisher, Music Director
Darlene Sarkela, Congregational Administrator
Teresa Madsen, Communications & Tech Coordinator
Marie Arensmeyer, Facilities Manager
Anissa Bentlemsani, Religious Education Assistant
Carbon Marshall, Tech Specialist