Blue Boat of Youth and Young Adult MinistriesOvercoming Isolation
“The Chief End of Human Existence”
Hi Family,
Happy June! For those of you graduating, reporting for active duty in one of the armed services, starting a new job or moving to a new home, congratulations. And for those you who had to drop out of school, are unemployed, underemployed or have given up trying to be employed, I pray that you have a supportive community who will love you through this economically challenging time.
When I do not attend Sunday morning services, I usually spend an hour or so reading my favorite UU theologian, James Luther Adams (JLA). This past Sunday I read an essay titled “The Chief End of Human Existence.” The section of the essay that I really resonated with focused on isolation and its effects on people in community. Not isolation in the sense of being physically alone. JLA refers to isolation with “other people with whom one enjoys nothing significant in common.” That is the type of isolation that causes some people to feel totally alone in the world even when they are surrounded by others. A loneliness that is difficult for one to understand and challenging to explain to others, especially family members.
During the next few weeks, I want you to think about what is significant to you. What holds meaning for you in your life? For example, religion, spirituality, friends, family, faith community, a special place in your neighborhood?
As always I would love to hear from you. You can message me on Facebook at Monica Cummings, email me at or leave a comment for me on the YaYA of Color blog, UU Living Mosaic.
Love,
Rev. Monica
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2 Responses to “Overcoming Isolation”Leave A Comment
iCreativity, poetry, discovery, friendship….all are important to me.
But friendship is impossible these days. The few minutes we might chat with someone volunteering here or after service there is not enough to create relationships. .We might talk with
We mighr chat with someone less than ten minutes at a weekly art class, and as soon as the class is over everyone scrambles off because their entire day is already packed.
It is very, very hard to break isolation. Everyone is so busy all the time, and it seems no one has time to spend with a “needy” isolated person. Everyone keeps telling me I’m not trying hard enough, and I just feel like crying.
Hi Robin, thank you for replying to my June newsletter column. Robin, I totally understand and relate to your experience of feeling isolated. Additionally, I am sure that you are not alone in your feeling isolated. Perhaps, this is a topic that your youth group could discuss or something you can talk about with your youth adviser. Robin, my prayer for you is that you feel less isolated and more a part of a loving community.
Living My Faith,
Rev. Monica