Making Our Way by the Light of the Heavens
Beloved Members and Friends of Westside, As you read in the message earlier this week from the Board of Trustees, Rev. Cynthia Westby and Cheryl Brown have resigned their positions in our Religious Exploration program. We are grateful for the leadership and service each has offered to the congregation over their many years here, working through sometimes difficult situations as they cared for our children and youth. As they move into other pursuits, we wish for both Cynthia and Cheryl the very best. I know that for myself, as I’m sure it is for many of you, this is something
Continue readingDRE Column for March – Rev. Cynthia Westby
Cabin Fever “You’re now free to move about the cabin!” Words we live for when we’re trapped on an airplane in our 2X2 seats! In February, confined to my house by the snowy weather, I was more than ready to hear these precious words of freedom. My snowbound life gave me the same cabin fever I experience on an airplane. Did you notice cabin fever too, during those weeks of snow, cold and closures? Many of us spent a good chunk of time holed up at home. Because our cars were surrounded by mountains of snow and the City of
Continue readingDRE Column for January – Rev. Cynthia Westby
The Hidden Treasure In Change Rev. Cynthia Westby, Director of Religious Exploration Transition shakes up most of us. Change messes with the order of things we’ve gotten used to, feel comfortable with, and prefer to see remain the same. Change is often not pleasant or agreeable. There is, however, hidden treasure in change. I’ve discovered that if I hang in there and observe myself and the situation, I may learn something. For instance, I may realize the new circumstances give me opportunities to offer a new way of thinking about things that is refreshing or interesting. One of my favorite stories about a
Continue readingDRE Column for December: The Gift of the Bengali Tea Boys
Difficult situations are gifts. Gifts we often resist and usually don’t appreciate. They teach us about our blind spots. . . if we stop and listen to what is happening inside us. You may want to return these gifts, but resist! Sticking with the feelings and experience pays off. When my buttons get pushed, I start wondering what is going on in me. What do I believe is happening? What should the other person be doing? Wanting the other person to be different only because they are driving me crazy is my cue to reexamine the situation more carefully. American Tibetan Buddhist nun Pema
Continue readingDRE Column for November – Growth-full Grieving – Rev. Cynthia Westby
I’ve been finding grief catching me unawares lately. Any transition triggers feelings but usually it is bewildering and surprising when I realize I’m in the midst of a grief response to transition. Especially when the transition is happy. For me, there is the strange grief coming after my ordination. This huge transition marks the end of a year-long push to be ordained. Of course, I am happy to have completed my goal. Thrilled. But I also have this an odd empty feeling. The work has defined almost all of my personal time. Now what shall I do with all this
Continue readingCynthia Westby, DRE Column October 2018 – Transitions
As we transition into fall, with this glorious weather, watching the leaves drift down into colorful piles on the ground, I am looking forward to a deepening richness in my position as DRE. I am excited to be ordained and it gives me great joy to be a minister! I am deeply touched by the beautiful stole that was presented to me on Sunday morning, October 21st during service. The lovely presentation by Alex Holt, Nola Balch, RE Council Co-Chair and RE Council members Cara Mathison and Laura Strand on behalf of the congregation was so moving. Shannon Day picked
Continue readingOrdination of Rev. Cynthia Westby, DRE
I was ordained as an Interfaith Minister on Saturday, September 15th by the Chaplaincy Institute Interfaith Community in Berkeley, California. The beautiful, powerful two-hour long ceremony was held in the early evening at Christ Church in Berkeley. It was an emotional, deeply moving ceremony and I am thrilled to now be Rev. Cynthia Westby. With my husband, Eric, and seven other good friends who live in the area as my support and witness, I felt held in community and blessed by them, by all of you, and by the Chaplaincy Institute Interfaith Community. It was an incredibly memorable experience. Below
Continue reading4-5th Graders Podcast on Protection of Nature
4-5th graders did a wonderful, moving podcast about protecting wildlife last week in class! You can listen to their ideas and concerns about protecting wildlife below!
Continue readingDRE Column for May – Chaplaincy Institute Graduation and Ordination
It is with great joy and excitement that I announce that I have graduated from the Chaplaincy Institute in Berkeley and have been approved for ordination as an Interfaith Minister and chaplain. The ordination ceremony will be held on September 22, 2018 in Berkeley. In the world of Religious Exploration, we DREs are responsible for finding creative ways to encourage, inspire, and support the work of faith exploration and formation at home and at church. As Westside’s RE program evolves to keep pace with the evolution of the needs and availability of children, volunteers, and parents, I am ensuring that
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