In the month of March we are exploring what it means to be a people of commitment. To commit: to dedicate ourselves to a way of being, a practice, or a relationship. Some commitments are intentional, like when we take a vow or make a promise. Many commitments in our lives go unnoticed, even to ourselves. What commitments shape you the most? What commitments define our community as a people of faith?  Join as we explore and deepen our faith together.

Reflections on Commitment:

Faith is a commitment to live as if certain things are true, and thereby help to make them so. Faith is a commitment to live as if life is a wondrous mystery, as if life is good, as if love is divine, as if we are responsible for the well-being of those around us.
Rev. Galen Guengrich

Never doubt that a small group of committed, thoughtful people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
Margaret Mead

The first step towards getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.
J.P. Morgan

Say Yes. Whatever it is, say yes with your whole heart & simple as it sounds that’s all the excuse life needs to grab you by the hands and start to dance.
Brian Andreas

Focus:

The practice of being loyal to something larger than yourself.
The practice of loving even when it is hard.
The practice of making, breaking and re-making our promises.

Spiritual Practice:

Commit to Creating a Helpful Habit (or Ending an Unhelpful One)

Habits are arguably our most pervasive and powerful commitments. Once in place, they happen so effortlessly and automatically that we don’t even consider them a chosen commitment. But it’s clear that our bodies, behaviors and emotions are without a doubt committed to them. And if you are wondering how much of our lives are dominated by these “cruise control commitments,” well, researchers tell us that at least 40% of our behaviors are dictated by habits. Some studies even suggest that by age 35, that percentage is as much as 95%! With so much of our lives shaped by these automatic behaviors, it seems it would do us all good to try a bit harder to shape them. So spend this month adding a new helpful habit to your life or removing an unhelpful one.

All it takes is a bit of intentionality, and as researchers tell us, a focus on small steps. Here’s some inspiration and guidance to help you one your way…

Taking It Home:  Ideas for All Ages

Following Through on a Month-Long Commitment to Gratitude

Gratitude Paper Chain

What do we need to make good on our commitments? We need follow­ through… and through… and through… and through! This activity is more playful than game-like, and while it can be competitive, it can also be done cooperatively.

You’ll need a lot of strips of paper. Like, a lot. Old calendars work well. Construction paper, too. Scrap office paper does the job, also.

Your commitment for the month is for each person in the family to write down on a strip something they are grateful for: strawberry milkshakes, Ms. Williams, sunny days, roller skates, vaccines. Gratitude practices fuel our spirit for the work of commitment; they increase positive emotions, improve health, boost our resilience in trying times, and help us build stronger relationships .*

You might keep the blank strips and a marker in one jar, and put an empty jar next to it for finished strips.

At the end of the month, you’ll make a paper chain to hang in your home or another place.

Music:

We create two different playlists for each of our monthly themes: one in Spotify and another in YouTube. We organize these lists as a journey of sorts. So consider listening from beginning to end and using the lists as musical meditations. Follow the links below to connect with this month’s “ threshold songs.”
Click here for the Spotify playlist on Commitment.
Click here for the YouTube playlist on Commitment.
Here is a taste! I’ll Be Here in the Morning

Join us to deepen our faith together:

• Explore resources related to the monthly theme (links above)
• Attend Sunday worship
• Request a copy of Soulful Home (thematic resources for families)
• Join our Parent Group (to discuss the themes in relation to parenting)