Monday with the Mohegans

Today instead of continuing west I went south, through Massachusetts into Connecticut to the Mohegan Tribe reservation in Uncasville. My Uncle Donald Tantaquidgeon lives in the senior housing complex. He is my maternal gradmother's sister's husband. So technically he is my Great Uncle by marriage, so unfortunately I am not Mohegan. I haven't seen him in many years and it was great to catch up with him. I also got to see his son, my cousin Lem. 

   

My Uncle is among the elders of the Mohegan Tribe and refers to himself as "old school" with regard to tribal customs and cultures. He took me to the Tantaquidgeon homestead, which is now a museum that teaches about Native American and tribal culture. I saw recreations of the wigwam, fire circle, and canoe making. We also rode around the Mohegan Sun Resort Hotel and Casino. It is a beautiful facility. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with my Uncle Don and learned more about him and his cultural heritage. I hope to return to see him soon.

In my first post about the trip to Edenton, I reflected on the importance of family, and how family is the reflection of the unconditional love of God. The ability to connect with family and friends has been a real reward in just the first week of my sabbatical. It makes me think... if churches are families of faith, and it's important to keep up connections with family, why is it that churches expect the priest to be the professional visitor? In the last 10 years, I have been asked at least 1000 times by someone how someone else is doing, but yet that parishioner hasn't reached out to the person they are asking about themselves. Also, people fish for information from the priest about other parishioners. This is unhealthy social behavior in families and in churches. We could learn so much about others if we only spent some time with each other. Trinity is full of interesting people with various talents and experiences that should be recognized and valued.

The ride today was good, but I broke my sabbatical rule to not take any Interstates. In order to maximize my time in Connecticut.

Challenge to Self: Continue to reach out to and connect with family and friends this summer.

Challenge to Trinity: Connect with your family, your family family and your Trintiy family. Reach out to someone that you haven't seen in a while an "catch up" this summer. See how things are going... maybe invite them to worship on Sunday. ;)