Sunday, January 28, 10:30am
Hotel Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15
Free

Spiritual Practice of Hospitality, UU Service - spirit

by Jon Sievert

The Rev. Heather Janules speaks about the “Spiritual Practice of Hospitality” at this week’s Unitarian Universalist Fellowship Service.

Ancient faiths and traditions obligate us to offer hospitality to the stranger among us. But there is safety in familiarity and trust; all too often we hear stories of those who suffer at the hands of strangers. How do we balance awareness of our vulnerability in the world and welcome those we do not know? How are we diminished when we fail to do so, when we stay within familiar, self-created cocoons of connection? What spiritual gifts can be gained through taking risks through offering hospitality?

The space-sharing service Airbnb gives us opportunities to explore these questions. What began with a couple roommates offering air mattresses in their apartment to accommodate conference attendees, priced out of overbooked hotels, has grown into an international business and informal community of people willing to navigate the awkwardness of unfamiliarity to connect across difference. Led by a minister who is simultaneously an inexperienced traveler and a new Airbnb host, this service will explore what it can mean for strangers to connect in this brave old world made new.

The Rev. Heather Janules serves as the Minister for Congregational Life and Social Justice at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda, Maryland. Some highlights from her shared ministry with the congregation include regular rebuilding trips to New Orleans, LA; pilgrimages to Cedar Lane’s partner church in Dicsöszentmárton, Transylvania, and creation of an annual Blessing of the Animals service. She received her Master of Divinity degree from Meadville Lombard Theological School in Chicago, IL and was ordained by the historic Arlington Street Church in Boston, MA. As a student minister, she served UU communities in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. She is delighted to be back in SMA for a second guest ministry. When not involved in the work of ministry, Heather enjoys amateur digital photography and exploring natural places with her Labrador Retriever, Luna.

The U.U. Fellowship meets every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Posada de la Aldea, Ancha de San Antonio 15, and welcomes people of all ages, races, religions, sexual orientation, and gender identity. The meeting room is wheelchair accessible. For more information, visit our website at uufsama.org.