The Tyranny of Choice

Dear Friends,

Do you get the sense that sometimes your brain is lying to you about what will make you happy? That's the question posed by an interesting new podcast I've been listening to called The Happiness Lab. In it, Dr. Laurie Santos explores many of contours of that question.

Last week's episode focused on what you might call the tyranny of choice. She talked about how we think we want 1,000 different cans of soup to choose from in the grocery store, but studies show that we actually get overwhelmed by that sort of choice—afraid that we might choose the wrong thing.

It was a good time in the life of our parish for me to listen to that podcast.

About a year ago, the vestry and other leaders gathered to evaluate our ministry in an intentional way. We had wonderful conversations about what was going well and what we needed to work on. Outreach came through loud and clear as an area of parish life that needed some attention. I'm happy to say that in the past year we have given outreach attention.

We've continued our monthly giving to Hosanna House and Metropolitan Ministries. We've raised over $4,000 for the Children's Nutrition Program of Haiti. We have recently begun collecting nutritious snacks for our neighbors at Dupont Elementary. Our annual Toys for Tots drive is under way. In November, we'll be invited to participate in the Turkey Train with our school and Fast Day at our church. In Advent, Tim Hinck and other local musicians will perform a glorious concert of Bach's Magnificat to benefit the Community Kitchen. All this and more on top of a pledge drive, to which we hope you will make a commitment!

The tyranny of choice, right?

It occurs to me that the amount of outreach we are committed to, the number of possibilities for doing good, may feel overwhelming. It might also feel daunting because of the number of good, worthwhile organizations doing good, worthwhile, even holy work. And this isn't just the ones we support as a church. It's also the ones near and dear to your heart!

So, what to do?

I'd begin by asking, "What is giving for, anyway?" On one hand, the answer is obvious: it is to help those in need, to support organizations and efforts we care about. Absolutely. But giving is also about joy. It's about, in the act of giving your time, resources, and abilities to others, and especially to those in need, finding a renewed sense of your own joy and gladness.

So we will continue, as a church, to lift up lots of opportunities to give. We are known as a place that does good in the world around us, and we will continue to be known that way.

And as a member of this church, I ask you—consider where you find your deepest joy in giving, and give there. No one is called to give to everything, and these are opportunities for giving, not for guilt! Because giving is, at least in part, about teaching us to find our joy—not just in what we do for ourselves, not in our possessions, but in finding ways to care for others.

God bless,

Fr. Quinn+