The Rev. Doak Maddox Mansfield, D. Min. 601.498.9060 (mobile) or 910.592.4378 (church) or at doakmans@gmail.com.
February: the second month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. It is the shortest month and the only month with fewer than 30 days. The month has 28 days in common years and 29 days in leap years. In the Southern Hemisphere, February is the seasonal equivalent of August in the Northern Hemisphere. February was named after the Latin term februum, which means purification, via the purification ritual Februa held on February 15 (full moon) in the old lunar Roman calendar.
· “Purification” That is an intriguing word. As first sight it feels as if it is something painful. Pain is a real thing as we know from emotional to physical. I gave my definition of ‘spirituality’ in my January 22 message: “Spirituality is a creative open, inspirational response to abiding ambiguity.” In mid-winter it is a good time to seek a cleansing of the soul, spirit, true self. How? I recommend St. Valentine’s Day! February 14. ‘Love’ is the finest four-letter word. It is the counterweight to ‘fear’. It is my champion in the eternal struggle for meaning and holiness, wisdom and purpose. “Become so wrapped up in something that you forget to be afraid.” - Lady Bird Johnson.
Let it be compassion, empathy, and kindness as all are elements of love. Courage is fear conquered by love. God is love, enough said. I’m persuaded that everything else is commentary. Simple? Yes but then love is simple and so is God(dess) – the Mystery in which we are, move, and be.
Be Gentle with Yourself ~ Doak
Our minister is Reverend Doak Mansfield. He and his wife Peggy are currently residing in the parsonage next to the church. He became our minister in April 2011.
Ordained November 28, 1976 in he is a fellowshipped Unitarian Universalist Minister. A preacher, pastor, chaplain, teacher, counselor, writer, and artist he is Minister Emeritus of Heritage Universalist Unitarian Church (serving 1975-85) in Cincinnati, OH.
Prior to his arrival at Red Hill in April of 2011, Dr. Mansfield was Consulting Minister for UU Congregation of Tupelo, MS, Consulting Minister for Gulf Coast UU Fellowship of Gulfport, MS, Consulting Minister of Our Home Universalist Unitarian Church in Ellisville, MS, and Supply Minister for the UU Fellowship of Muscle Shoals, Florence, AL.
He was settled minister of Unitarian Universalist Church of Huntsville, AL (serving 1985-2000), Staff Chaplain at Bethesda Hospitals Cincinnati, OH, and Chaplain (CPT) in the US Army Reserve.
Dr. Mansfield received a heart transplant June 21, 2010 at Oschner Medical Foundation in New Orleans, LA.