Bearing a load

This morning, our whole family - Papa D, Baby E, and me - went to church together!  It was just like I dream of.  We all got dressed up and walked the half-block to the Unitarian Universalist church.  We were warmly greeted and have acquaintances among the congregation.

The service was a "Celebration of Death and Life," led by a mother/artist (who is a certified leader of Dances of Universal Peace).  The chairs were in a circle around an altar swathed in gold fabric and covered with fall leaves.

The most striking thing about the experience was how comfortable I felt.  The people were are liberal-types like us, the language was all "inclusive."  I don't mind doing "movements" while we sing, or walking up to the altar to add my leaf to the basket in memory of a loss.  It was like being let out of a cage.

On the other hand, the service - while it had a bunch of nice elements - had no power.  It was like going through the motions, so dry.  This is the usual criticism of  UU, and sadly it was the case yesterday.

But it must have been working below the service - I mean it was a service about death, and my mother's loss still smarts, and I've been to three memorial services in the last six months - because by the end, I was moved.  I cried during the final verse of "Lean On Me:"

If there is a load you have to bear

That you can't carry

I'm right up the road

I'll share your load