News: January 23, 2026
Dear Beloved Community,
The Board has been busy with final preparations for the Leadership Forum on Saturday, when more than 50 (wow!) of you will be joining us to become familiar with the Strategic Plan and begin mapping out ways to implement it. If you are unable to join us, you will still get an idea of what’s cooking when you arrive on Sunday (weather permitting) and see the products from our day posted in Channing Hall. This is just the beginning of this exciting work and there will be plenty of opportunities for everyone to participate as we continue.
As I mentioned in my December letter, one of the Board’s primary goals this year is increasing participation and diversity on the Board and Board committees. We need to fill open positions on the Finance, Personnel, and Governance Committees, and will be creating two new ones - Outreach and Living Our Mission, in the near future. Part of living into the 8th Principle is taking active steps to increase diversity in leadership. That diversity includes age, gender, ethnicity, as well as how long people have been part of First Church, because it is important to have voices from across the spectrum of our community. Anyone can serve on a committee – church membership is not required.
In the midst of the chaos around us, it is more important than ever that we strengthen our institutions so that we are able face chaos with calm and counteract cruelty with love. When our church governing and operational structure is strong, we are better equipped meet the needs of our congregation and our community. Serving on a Board committee may sound like more of a time commitment than you can manage, but not all committees are the same. Several have short periods of greater activity, followed by months of meeting infrequently, if at all. For example, the Finance Committee is busy in the spring, as we prepare the annual budget, but otherwise usually meets once monthly. If you find yourself curious, even a little, email board@firstuu.org for more information. We will be happy to answer questions and tell you all about it.
We are certainly living in uncertain times, friends. And it is tempting to become discouraged. But I encourage you to follow the advice of Mr. Rogers and look for the helpers. On the day that Renee Good was killed, a dozen or so UU ministers arrived on the scene within minutes. Wearing stoles and collars, they stood together, praying for peace and for all who were involved. An Episcopalian bishop sent a letter to priests encouraging them to make sure their affairs were in order because of the likelihood of their needing to put themselves in harm’s way to protect the innocent. People who have never considered themselves activists are standing on street corners in the snow blowing whistles, delivering groceries, sheltering strangers. While it is true that evil has beset us, as Reverend Colin said on Sunday, it is also true that love is rising to meet it. And love always wins. Always.
Widening love’s circle together,
Ruth
