News: August 23, 2024
Dear Members and Friends
Our Ingathering and Water Communion service on August 11 marked the beginning of the church’s program year. This annual ceremony is symbolic of many things - re-connection, re-commitment, and rejuvenation, to name a few. Our water communion for me is a powerful metaphor of all that our members bring to the congregation - the visible and invisible gifts of time and talent that make our community what it is. It’s also a moment of personal humility.
As I watch each pour of water disappear into the whole, I have a sense of hierarchies disappearing, and of individual contributions equalizing. I’ll never truly understand how much labor - seen and unseen - goes into the congregation, though I know that it ranges from landscaping to accounting to pastoral care to composing music, to simply offering kind words and encouragement. (Not to mention that most essential activity of Unitarian Universalist congregations- making coffee!) While some of us may have the titles that come with leadership, all of our contributions are precious and essential. The mingled waters are a visual reminder of this equivalence.
Our congregation’s labors of love will be especially on display this fall. We have a calendar literally packed with activities for members of all ages and interests. Arts forums will offer ways to experience spirituality through the fine arts, plant-based potlucks and game nights will offer chances to learn and socialize, workshops and discussion groups will expand our horizons, and service projects will provide ways to live out our values. In late September, First Church will participate in the two-day North American-wide UU Climate Justice Revival to help us re-imagine the future we wish to see. Our Unitarian Universalist commitment to democracy will be on full display as we engage in a number of Get Out the Vote efforts leading up to the November 5 election. Don’t forget to peruse the online church calendar for an updated list of all that’s happening.
In the midst of all of this activity, the Search Committee continues to work diligently to ascertain congregants’ priorities for our next settled minister. Please be sure to complete their survey and attend a cottage meeting, if you haven’t done so already. Please also stay tuned for search process updates as the fall progresses.
All of the above endeavors, and many more, are possible because of the efforts of congregational volunteers who are dedicated to living out our vision of widening love’s circle. Working alongside them are our dedicated staff members, undaunted by even storms, leaks or internet outages! The synergy we create when we pool our individual skills, talents and resources is simply incredible- one of the reasons we come together in community. It’s not possible to participate in everything that First Church has to offer, but I hope that you may each find something that calls to you and to which you may offer your unique gifts. I’m excited to widen love’s circle with you this year.
With love,
Sheryl
Our Ingathering and Water Communion service on August 11 marked the beginning of the church’s program year. This annual ceremony is symbolic of many things - re-connection, re-commitment, and rejuvenation, to name a few. Our water communion for me is a powerful metaphor of all that our members bring to the congregation - the visible and invisible gifts of time and talent that make our community what it is. It’s also a moment of personal humility.
As I watch each pour of water disappear into the whole, I have a sense of hierarchies disappearing, and of individual contributions equalizing. I’ll never truly understand how much labor - seen and unseen - goes into the congregation, though I know that it ranges from landscaping to accounting to pastoral care to composing music, to simply offering kind words and encouragement. (Not to mention that most essential activity of Unitarian Universalist congregations- making coffee!) While some of us may have the titles that come with leadership, all of our contributions are precious and essential. The mingled waters are a visual reminder of this equivalence.
Our congregation’s labors of love will be especially on display this fall. We have a calendar literally packed with activities for members of all ages and interests. Arts forums will offer ways to experience spirituality through the fine arts, plant-based potlucks and game nights will offer chances to learn and socialize, workshops and discussion groups will expand our horizons, and service projects will provide ways to live out our values. In late September, First Church will participate in the two-day North American-wide UU Climate Justice Revival to help us re-imagine the future we wish to see. Our Unitarian Universalist commitment to democracy will be on full display as we engage in a number of Get Out the Vote efforts leading up to the November 5 election. Don’t forget to peruse the online church calendar for an updated list of all that’s happening.
In the midst of all of this activity, the Search Committee continues to work diligently to ascertain congregants’ priorities for our next settled minister. Please be sure to complete their survey and attend a cottage meeting, if you haven’t done so already. Please also stay tuned for search process updates as the fall progresses.
All of the above endeavors, and many more, are possible because of the efforts of congregational volunteers who are dedicated to living out our vision of widening love’s circle. Working alongside them are our dedicated staff members, undaunted by even storms, leaks or internet outages! The synergy we create when we pool our individual skills, talents and resources is simply incredible- one of the reasons we come together in community. It’s not possible to participate in everything that First Church has to offer, but I hope that you may each find something that calls to you and to which you may offer your unique gifts. I’m excited to widen love’s circle with you this year.
With love,
Sheryl
