News: December 13, 2024
Dear First UU Houston Community,
I hope the cooler (mostly) weather and upcoming holidays are bringing some joy to you. I like to think of moments of joy, since life is not joyful every minute. There are frustrations, aches and pains, and overwhelming experiences too, but moments of joy and connection to rituals held dear make life feel worthwhile and meaningful. I invite you to pay attention to things that make you smile and feel like they connect you to the earth and to each other.
I have 3 things I want to share with you at this time.
First, please join us at church for some of the many offerings we have for the winter holiday including the Winter Solstice and our annual Christmas Pageant that involves children in costumes and a UU twist on the old story, written by our own Rev. Scott. Plus, there are four different lovely ways to get connected to each other and the season on Christmas Eve. See elsewhere in the newsletter for a full list and details.
Second, I announced in June that I would be retiring in a year. And now it is December and we have 6 months until my retirement on June 8, 2025, so it’s important to touch base on our process. I wanted to let you know how we are carefully working through a transition to a new leader for Religious Education (RE). We have a team of 8 volunteers, many who are very knowledgeable about our RE programs, who have been working with me to understand and share my role for many events and programs throughout the year and who will provide support and leadership next year for our new RE director in specific ways. In addition, our Board and Rev. Colin have come up with a plan to create a search team. And they have a timeline (January – June) for organizing, publicizing, recruiting and hiring the new person. Of course, all change comes with some snafus and learning curves, but we are putting together plans that will help make the change as smooth as we can during this year of preparation.
And third, I read something from the President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt. Reading her words felt like something we could grab onto as we live through a time when the very ground beneath our feet is shifting. Here are a few quotes from her letter which you can find in full below. Rev. Sofia recommends we remember that Unitarian Universalists are people of faith and conscience and we have been essential to safeguarding equity and human dignity in the difficult times of the past. A way forward, in this confusing time is through these ways of being. This first is cultivating community resilience which we do by nurturing our bonds with the communities we belong to, especially with those who are committed to the work we need to do together. It is a time to be in relationship and take our actions locally, next to one another. The second step is to show up for those most impacted. Some people are very vulnerable right now. Our bonded groups can work together to help our frontline communities, which are many. We don’t need to do it all, but we can a way to help some nearby. Finally, we engage in advocacy, remembering that change is always possible and collective voice is powerful. These words are guiding me on this difficult journey right now when I want to avoid news and even pull the covers over my head. I hope they help you and me find a way forward.
I hope the cooler (mostly) weather and upcoming holidays are bringing some joy to you. I like to think of moments of joy, since life is not joyful every minute. There are frustrations, aches and pains, and overwhelming experiences too, but moments of joy and connection to rituals held dear make life feel worthwhile and meaningful. I invite you to pay attention to things that make you smile and feel like they connect you to the earth and to each other.
I have 3 things I want to share with you at this time.
First, please join us at church for some of the many offerings we have for the winter holiday including the Winter Solstice and our annual Christmas Pageant that involves children in costumes and a UU twist on the old story, written by our own Rev. Scott. Plus, there are four different lovely ways to get connected to each other and the season on Christmas Eve. See elsewhere in the newsletter for a full list and details.
Second, I announced in June that I would be retiring in a year. And now it is December and we have 6 months until my retirement on June 8, 2025, so it’s important to touch base on our process. I wanted to let you know how we are carefully working through a transition to a new leader for Religious Education (RE). We have a team of 8 volunteers, many who are very knowledgeable about our RE programs, who have been working with me to understand and share my role for many events and programs throughout the year and who will provide support and leadership next year for our new RE director in specific ways. In addition, our Board and Rev. Colin have come up with a plan to create a search team. And they have a timeline (January – June) for organizing, publicizing, recruiting and hiring the new person. Of course, all change comes with some snafus and learning curves, but we are putting together plans that will help make the change as smooth as we can during this year of preparation.
And third, I read something from the President of the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA), Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt. Reading her words felt like something we could grab onto as we live through a time when the very ground beneath our feet is shifting. Here are a few quotes from her letter which you can find in full below. Rev. Sofia recommends we remember that Unitarian Universalists are people of faith and conscience and we have been essential to safeguarding equity and human dignity in the difficult times of the past. A way forward, in this confusing time is through these ways of being. This first is cultivating community resilience which we do by nurturing our bonds with the communities we belong to, especially with those who are committed to the work we need to do together. It is a time to be in relationship and take our actions locally, next to one another. The second step is to show up for those most impacted. Some people are very vulnerable right now. Our bonded groups can work together to help our frontline communities, which are many. We don’t need to do it all, but we can a way to help some nearby. Finally, we engage in advocacy, remembering that change is always possible and collective voice is powerful. These words are guiding me on this difficult journey right now when I want to avoid news and even pull the covers over my head. I hope they help you and me find a way forward.
Letter from Sofia Betancourt:
Beloveds,
After a turbulent and exhausting election season, I know that many in our communities feel a deep sense of apprehension, anger, and uncertainty. This moment raises important questions about the future of our country, the safety of those targeted for oppression because of their identities, and the resilience of our collective democracy. We find ourselves pulled both outward, to the actions we hope will make a difference, and inward, toward the relationships of communal care from which such actions must arise.
In challenging times like these, our faith calls us to find strength in each other. As I have said in recent weeks, we are a sanctuary people; a people who aim to create safety for both body and soul within our communal spaces. We are also a faithful people – drawn to communal care not just by our ethics, but by our historic religious tradition. Our congregations and communities are rare places where people can be vulnerable enough to build trust and capacity for resistance. And this is why, as Unitarian Universalists, we are called to build and sustain community; it is the greatest tool we have for resilience. History reminds us that people of faith and conscience have been essential to every movement safeguarding equity and human dignity. Now, it is our sacred duty to be in solidarity with communities most affected by systemic barriers—trans and nonbinary beloveds, migrants, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Though the path ahead may be daunting, we give one another strength and courage through our collective resolve.
In the days and weeks to come, even before the fullness of our organizing priorities takes shape, here are ways we can continue this sacred work together:
Cultivate Community Resilience
Faith in each other is a source of great strength. Every controlling regime works to destabilize us and convince us of our powerlessness by separating us from one another. Instead, turn toward each other and nurture the bonds within your communities, providing care and upholding our commitment to equity and inclusion by centering those most directly impacted by violence and oppression.
Now is the time for hyper-local action that will fuel the movement of larger waves of change and resistance. Whenever possible, link up with community organizations. Don't re-do or re-invent what partner organizations are doing. This can be a time to hold space, build relationships and thicken the bonds of those committed to doing the work together. Indeed, the building of accountable relationships is itself one of the greatest actions we can take in these moments.
Show Up for Those Most Impacted
Engage with local allies and support structures that protect the rights of those most vulnerable among us. Your congregation’s role as a sanctuary for justice and compassion is your most vital ministry in this time. When we show up, let us show up ready to listen and learn new truths rather than with an eagerness to declare what is true. Let us lead and follow, each in turn, and always with the guidance of frontline communities.
Engage in Advocacy
Remember that change is always possible, and our collective voice is powerful. For most of our history, Unitarians and Universalists have had a disproportionate impact on the public discourse, given our size relative to other religious denominations. Grounded in community, connected to the local, following and leading, let us continue to support one another constructively as we work toward a long-term vision of a more just world.
Please know that your UUA, Side With Love, and Congregational Life teams are here with you. In the weeks ahead, we will provide resources and guidance to help you and your community remain resilient, faithful, and impactful in this next chapter of our shared history. Together, we will navigate the challenges ahead, rooting ourselves in our Shared Values and always centering love.
As we move forward, remember to care for yourselves and each other. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to justice and to communal care, which strengthens our faith and our nation. We remain in this sacred work together.
Faithfully,
Sofía
Beloveds,
After a turbulent and exhausting election season, I know that many in our communities feel a deep sense of apprehension, anger, and uncertainty. This moment raises important questions about the future of our country, the safety of those targeted for oppression because of their identities, and the resilience of our collective democracy. We find ourselves pulled both outward, to the actions we hope will make a difference, and inward, toward the relationships of communal care from which such actions must arise.
In challenging times like these, our faith calls us to find strength in each other. As I have said in recent weeks, we are a sanctuary people; a people who aim to create safety for both body and soul within our communal spaces. We are also a faithful people – drawn to communal care not just by our ethics, but by our historic religious tradition. Our congregations and communities are rare places where people can be vulnerable enough to build trust and capacity for resistance. And this is why, as Unitarian Universalists, we are called to build and sustain community; it is the greatest tool we have for resilience. History reminds us that people of faith and conscience have been essential to every movement safeguarding equity and human dignity. Now, it is our sacred duty to be in solidarity with communities most affected by systemic barriers—trans and nonbinary beloveds, migrants, LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color. Though the path ahead may be daunting, we give one another strength and courage through our collective resolve.
In the days and weeks to come, even before the fullness of our organizing priorities takes shape, here are ways we can continue this sacred work together:
Cultivate Community Resilience
Faith in each other is a source of great strength. Every controlling regime works to destabilize us and convince us of our powerlessness by separating us from one another. Instead, turn toward each other and nurture the bonds within your communities, providing care and upholding our commitment to equity and inclusion by centering those most directly impacted by violence and oppression.
Now is the time for hyper-local action that will fuel the movement of larger waves of change and resistance. Whenever possible, link up with community organizations. Don't re-do or re-invent what partner organizations are doing. This can be a time to hold space, build relationships and thicken the bonds of those committed to doing the work together. Indeed, the building of accountable relationships is itself one of the greatest actions we can take in these moments.
Show Up for Those Most Impacted
Engage with local allies and support structures that protect the rights of those most vulnerable among us. Your congregation’s role as a sanctuary for justice and compassion is your most vital ministry in this time. When we show up, let us show up ready to listen and learn new truths rather than with an eagerness to declare what is true. Let us lead and follow, each in turn, and always with the guidance of frontline communities.
Engage in Advocacy
Remember that change is always possible, and our collective voice is powerful. For most of our history, Unitarians and Universalists have had a disproportionate impact on the public discourse, given our size relative to other religious denominations. Grounded in community, connected to the local, following and leading, let us continue to support one another constructively as we work toward a long-term vision of a more just world.
Please know that your UUA, Side With Love, and Congregational Life teams are here with you. In the weeks ahead, we will provide resources and guidance to help you and your community remain resilient, faithful, and impactful in this next chapter of our shared history. Together, we will navigate the challenges ahead, rooting ourselves in our Shared Values and always centering love.
As we move forward, remember to care for yourselves and each other. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to justice and to communal care, which strengthens our faith and our nation. We remain in this sacred work together.
Faithfully,
Sofía
