This is, they say, the season of anticipation, the season of waiting, of hope and expectation. As I write, we are awaiting the first real snowfall, maybe a blizzard, maybe a mess of ice, snow and slush. Puxatawny Phil didn’t see his shadow on a grey, grim February Groundhog Day so maybe Spring will come soon – or is it later?

Christians are quietly awaiting the Resurrection – again. It always seemed odd to me that it had to be reenacted every year. Wasn’t the original good enough? If the life and message of Jesus lives in our hearts, what more do we want? I like that old joke about the Unitarian and the Evangelist. The Evangelist cries, “Brother, have you been born again? The Unitarian replies, “No, I did it right the first time!” But so many Christians seem determined to see some token, some promise, some guarantee that heavenly harps await them, and an eternity of blessedness. It was the late Art Buchwald who said: “The question isn’t where are you going?” It’s: “What are you doing here in the first place.” To which a colleague added, “All these folk hungering for eternity, and don’t know what to do with a rainy Sunday afternoon.” I’m with Thoreau who said, “One life at a time.” I don’t mean to disparage or dismiss anyone’s faith. If it keeps you on the right path and out of trouble; if it motivates you to help those in need and struggle to heal this broken world, I’m all for it. Let’s work together. There’s so much we can do together.

We at UUMH have a special cause of anticipation. The Search Committee expects to have a Candidate for the Settled Ministry here – ready for the week of March 25th to April 1st – Candidating Week. The week will be filled with Worship, food, fellowship, meetings for every constituency, followed by a Congregational Meeting and vote. It is a wonderful and exciting time. Whether you are a newcomer or life long member there is a place for you in the process, a time to ask questions, press issues and concerns, plumb convictions, get to know each other. Be part of the process!

And for all of us yearning for the blossoms and chatter of Spring – be assured it will come when New England winter has dumped out its whole bag of tricks. And that could be quite awhile. So bundle up, set the fireplace blazing and curl up with a travel guide to summer tours in Alaska’s Northwest Passage. Go out and throw snowballs at the moon. But don’t forget to feed the hungry, shelter the homeless, make peace, justice and hope in the world. That should keep us all busy till Spring – and beyond! Rev. Dave Johnson