How “Holy Bothering” became learning to listen or “Learning as we go, and evolving as we learn” – with Jim Cavenaugh, Lay Community Minister and volunteer Chaplain
My past approach to advocacy has been Holy Bothering – if I hassle these public officials long enough with enough enthusiasm, my cause will prevail. Then in a Pastoral training session about listening, I realized that parenting and advocacy have something in common: “They won’t hear you if you don’t listen.” And pastoral listening, deep listening, is something I have learned how to do over the years as a Chaplain, to people of all faiths or no faith. Learning to listen better and differently has changed my approach.
My approach to advocacy, an integral part of my community ministry, has evolved, and I invite you to join me on the journey, remembering that: “Listening is about being present, not just about being quiet.” Krista Tippett
He wasn’t known as a minister, but he was …a psychiatrist: “You cannot truly listen to anyone and do anything else at the same time.” – M. Scott Peck
The quote from Paul Tillich, theologian, “The first duty of love is to listen” goes with poet and ‘thought leader’ Bryant H. McGill: “One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.”
The requirement of masks is based on the current COVID community risk level in Dauphin County. Masks are required for medium or high risk levels; they are optional when the county is in the low risk level. The current level will be posted on the front doors of the church.
You can also livestream the service at YouTube.com/UCHBG or watch via Zoom. The Zoom link for the February 5th service will be emailed Sunday morning. To subscribe to our email list, click on News in the menu bar above.
