We are happy to present two Odysseys at this spring’s UURMaPA Conference: Barry Finkelstein and the Rev. Diane Miller. Barry shares his story with us on the opening day of the conference, Monday, April 27, and Diane visits with us on the 29th.
Barry says that “Writing brings clarity to my thoughts; it’s a kind of alchemy. I am inspired by Adrienne Rich who said that ‘you must write and read as if your life depended on it.’
“And so far, my Odyssey is having the same effect. I’m drawn to inflection points that helped shape me and yield insights. While the memories evoked are not new to me, their importance is. The odyssey-writing process is pulling important events into a life.
“I love storytelling, and engaging with people, gives me new insights about myself and my place in the world. I grew up in a family of talkers—loud talkers—and things become more real when spoken about.
“I’m hopeful that my story will be valued by others. I feel good about my life, my choices, my good luck, and the help I’ve received. I look forward to sharing my story.”
Diane has lived a full life, so much so that she doesn’t have room for all her memories. She said, “Some people have Proustian memories, and some people have kept diaries and journals. I’m startled at how much of my life is hazy and forgotten, and that I need to look up things to confirm the facts.
“I expected to be the expert about my own life, but I feel more like an unreliable witness. Writing my Odyssey is an exercise in putting the pieces together.
“Being asked to present my Odyssey brings trepidation, anxiety about technology, and deep appreciation for colleagues who are inviting me to tell my story.”
Like many others, Diane has thought about the culture of Odysseys in our tradition. “I wonder when the practice of Odyssey presentations began in our ministry, and how it evolved.”
Diane thought that someone has probably looked into that, but we are glad the tradition has come to us, and we welcome Barry and Diane to our conference.
The conference opens on April 27, and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout will present our theme, Keeping It Together When Democracy Is Falling Apart, on the second day of the conference. He will also present a short concert of his music that evening.
Worship services will open and close the conference, and a service of remembrance will honor our colleagues not among us. Breakout rooms have been arranged for each day of the conference, where you will be able to have a closer connection with your friends and colleagues.
To register, please visit: uurmapa.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/3106236 The registration fee for the spring conference to $70.00. Save a Jackson! Register before April 6, and your fee is only $50.00.
Scholarships to cover the fee are available, and if you have never attended one of our conferences, the board will happily waive your fee. For assistance with fees or registration questions, please write to Barbro Hansson at conferences@uurmapa.org.
Pods for in-person participation are organized in Wilmington DE and Kingston MA. Write Richard Speck at rgspeck@comcast.net for information about Wilmington or Judy Campbell at revdocmom@comcast.net for information about Kingston.
We hope to see you on April 27!