Beloved friends, When you read this, I’ll be deep into Ministry Days, the gathering of UU ministers that precedes our General Assembly. This year it’s in Portland, OR, so close to home. There’s excellent worship, amazing speakers (adrienne marie brown and Ibram X. Kendi to name two), friends so see and catch up with, and, … Continue reading From the Minister for June 22, 2022
Beloved friends, On Sunday, I noted that we have a lot of rebuilding to do in our congregation. The last two years have been hard on just about every congregation I know. There’s widespread exhaustion among volunteers and members, giving has decreased across congregations, and leadership is stressed. There’s much to do as we come … Continue reading From the Minister for June 15, 2022
I’m still buzzing a bit from our Flower Service. Right next to me as I write this is one of the calla lilies that I claimed at the service. Seeing it reminds me of the beauty of our congregation, of all the beloved faces that I see in the sanctuary, and the ones I imagine … Continue reading From the Minister for June 7, 2022
Beloved friends, I hope to see you all this Sunday for our annual Flower Service! We’re continuing in our multi-platform format. It’s the Flower Service, so those of you who are coming in person are encouraged to bring a flower or two to create the beauty in the front of the church when we all put … Continue reading From the Minister for May 31, 2022 and Flower Service on Sunday, June 5, 2022
One of my friends said, “in no other nation.” And she’s right. Ten days ago, 10 people were killed by a gunman as they shopped for groceries. One was 32 years old. The oldest was an 82-year-old woman. And today it was Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas that serves children in second to fourth … Continue reading From the Minister for May 24, 2022
Sundays in the sanctuary are different from how they were before the pandemic. We’re in masks, and the windows are open and there is air flowing through fans. Our children are with us upstairs and they bring a joyful – and sometimes loud – noise to our gatherings. We aren’t singing, but can hum along, … Continue reading From the Minister for May 20, 2022
Balance, someone once quipped, is having a cookie in both hands. These days, I find myself wishing it was that easy. As the pandemic continues to surge and recede, as spring continues to dance between late winter scudding clouds and drizzle and those perfect soft spring days, I want nothing more than to find the … Continue reading From the Minister for May 13, 2022
Ever since the news broke on Monday that a leaked draft of a Supreme Court decision indicated that Roe v. Wade would likely be overturned, I’ve tried to find the words to say into this time. Ruth Marcus in her op-ed “The Leaked Draft Roe Opinion is a Disaster for the Supreme Court” in the … Continue reading Pastoral Letter on Roe v. Wade
Beloved Friends, We continue to gather in multi-platform, and this week is a treat: my favorite (in a non-judgmental, non-hierarchical sort of way) the Rev. Ant (short for Anthony) Howe will be joining us from his home in Wales. After serving a congregation outside of Birmingham, Ant took a position with the Unitarian College as … Continue reading From the Minister for May 4, 2022
Many years ago, I was chatting with a couple of church members after a getting-to-know- you conversation with someone who was new to the congregation. As we talked about how we would know that someone had become part of our community, I said that I watched for those who without being asked started to help … Continue reading From the Minister for April 26, 2022
