{"id":971,"date":"2026-06-15T21:18:08","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T20:18:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/revjane.co.uk\/?p=971"},"modified":"2026-06-15T21:18:08","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T20:18:08","slug":"roots-and-wings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/revjane.co.uk\/?p=971","title":{"rendered":"Roots and Wings"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Reflection #115 (28th December 2025 at Essex Church \/ Kensington Unitarians)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2018Roots hold me close, wings set me free\u2019. So wrote Carolyn McDade, composer of \u2018Spirit of Life\u2019. What\u2019s your relationship to roots and wings, I wonder? What do those metaphors suggest to you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When we think about our roots, we might think of our family of origin, our culture or community, any traditions (including religious traditions) we were born into, and everything else we inherited as a result of that. Or we might think of being rooted in a network of relationships we\u2019ve built up for ourselves over the course of our life so far \u2013 our chosen family, perhaps \u2013 the communities and cultures we\u2019ve become embedded in, by choice or by chance, where we feel some lasting commitment, some sense of rootedness, belonging, or stability, an anchor in the storms of life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Conversely, when we think about wings, we might think of the ways in which we\u2019ve managed to strike out on our own \u2013 perhaps in defiance of our origins, and counter to what was expected of us \u2013 the ways in which we\u2019ve transcended our inheritance, and gone our own way, in order to authentically express ourselves, fulfil our potential, and make our own mark in the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It strikes me that roots are somewhat bound up with the past, and wings are more future-oriented, and perhaps that\u2019s why I was drawn to explore this topic at the turn of the year. Traditionally this is a moment when we look back and look forward \u2013 surveying where we\u2019ve been and where we might be going next \u2013 and considering what we want to hold on to and what we are ready to let go of (as we did in the meditation earlier on). It\u2019s a good time to take stock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So where are we at with roots and wings? I want to acknowledge that both have a shadow side. And I also want to make the observation that lots of people pitch up in Unitarian community as adults precisely because they\u2019ve broken away from their roots \u2013 rejected tradition, specifically their religious tradition of origin \u2013 but they still see the value of being part of something bigger. Nevertheless, a certain prickliness towards tradition, and squeamishness about religion, often lurks not far below the surface in Unitarian groups. A lot of us have trust issues in this regard!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so perhaps we can be overly hung-up on the negative side of roots \u2013 it\u2019s true, and it\u2019s worth acknowledging, that tradition can weigh us down \u2013 being too beholden to the past, or to a community or cultural tribe, or a certain way of doing things, this can lead to stuckness, closed-mindedness, cliqueyness. We can become enculturated to old ways and shut off from the new.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time I think there\u2019s a tendency for Unitarians to think that we\u2019re all about the wings! Much emphasis is put on the value of being free-thinking and independent. But we need to keep an eye on this too. If we lean too far in this direction it can easily slide into being individualistic, irresponsible, even parasitic (I know that\u2019s a strong word). If we are so flighty that we never settle down, we can find ourselves skipping over the surface of life, never developing those deep bonds of association, connection, and mutuality, that can be so enriching. And never doing our bit to sustain those traditions, communities, and sources of support that we still nonetheless draw on. Interdependence is where it\u2019s at, I say! We\u2019ve already explored that in a few services this year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So I suppose you won\u2019t be surprised that we\u2019re coming in to land in a \u2018both\/and\u2019 kind-of place.  Of course, we need both roots and wings \u2013 and we need to get the balance right \u2013 to integrate the best of both. We can draw on the treasures of tradition, honour the wisdom of the ancestors, and have an active and ongoing relationship with our community, discerning what still has meaning for us here and now (rather than reactively rejecting it or accepting without question).  It shows appropriate humility to recognise that we have much to learn from others, especially those who have gone before us, and that we might do well to \u2018stand on the shoulders of giants\u2019. Yet at the same time we can remain open to change \u2013 to new grace \u2013 to evolution, revolution. And we can be that change \u2013 as we claim our own place in a living tradition \u2013 an ongoing line \u2013 as we spread our wings and make our own creative contribution to the unfolding story of humanity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I want to close this very-mini-reflection with a short prayer, loosely adapted from the words of Nica Eaton-Guinn, and very much inspired by the hymn \u2018Spirit of Life\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spirit of Life, God of All Love,
\nOne of many names and no names,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Come unto us, for we know not what to do
\nabout all the horrors and troubles of this hurting world.
\nWe know not what to do for all those who are suffering this day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sing in our hearts all the stirrings of compassion;
\nCompassion for the oppressed and marginalised,
\nfor all those who are scared, hurting, and lonely;
\ncompassion for those who are sick and in pain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blow in the wind, rise in the seas,
\nas we listen to the stirrings of our earth,
\nand protect our beautiful planet that holds and nourishes us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Move in our hands so we may give life the shape of justice,
\nthrough our attention, awareness, speech, and action,
\nthat all may experience equity, freedom, and dignity,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roots hold us close so we may feel a sense of connection
\nto our forebears and the living tradition we are a part of,
\nto this earth, and to one another, interconnected in all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wings set us free, so we may soar
\nwith inspiration, creativity, and vision,
\nflourishing, growing, and fulfilling our potential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Spirit of Life, God of All Love,
come to us, so we may be whole
and live lives of meaning, value, and purpose.
May it be so, for the greater good of all. Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflection by Jane Blackall<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n