Led by Rev. Hillary, this will be a spiritually nourishing time of quiet, centering, and prayer. It will be followed by a time for fellowship. All are welcome to join! A link to participate will be sent out on Sunday morning.

I believe, at some point during almost all of my conversations with you this month, the statement, “What a time to begin a ministry,” has been either softly uttered or loudly exclaimed. It might be said with compassion and curiosity, or with exasperation and bewilderment. Sometimes it’s the very first thing you say, sometimes it’s the last.

I’m glad you say it, though - we are aligned! “What a time to begin a ministry” has been echoing through my mind since I considered entering the search process last fall. Back then I was mostly thinking about the sermon I’d have to preach on the Sunday before and after the November election. Simpler days...sort of. 

Now though, I’m thinking about how to build our collective stamina as we prepare for a year ahead wherein a momentous election will occur, much anti-racism and economic justice work will need doing, uncertainty will be ever present, and we will be physically distanced from one another. Oh, and yeah, we don’t really even know each other yet. 

Though it’s a wild time to begin, in many ways I believe it’s an ideal time. From our conversations, it’s so clear to me that this community, this church building, and this faith are needed right now, perhaps more than ever. There is such a great need for strong and welcoming spiritual communities right now - a need for presence, for connection, for care. 

I also appreciate this moment for the creativity it requires of us. I thrive in innovative and collaborative spaces and enjoy the process and problem-solving these spaces ask. This imaginative work of course will have its challenges, but doubtless it will bring us closer as we will be building this church year together. 

What a time to begin a ministry! (*Exclaimed with compassion, curiosity, exasperation, bewilderment, courage, wonder, anxiety, joy and hope.)

I look forward to our continued conversations, and I look forward to turning these conversations into creations. Just check out Gwen’s message this week to get a gist of some of the ideas we are dreaming up. 

Yours in all the feelings - And buying stamps from the post office to send letters to my friends about these feelings,

Rev. Hillary 

On Wednesdays from 10 am-12 pm and Fridays from 3 pm-5 pm Rev. Hillary is holding “office hours” through the end of the month. During these hours, you can schedule a 30 minute time to meet with her in person (masked, outside) or over Zoom/phone. Just email her at FirstUMinister@gmail.com to schedule a time. If these times don’t work, let Rev. Hillary know and you can figure an alternate plan.

This year, perhaps more than ever in our lifetimes, you may be, like I am, feeling called and pushed to connect, explore, stretch, grow, and find a space where you feel grounded and safe to do so.

Our religious exploration program is being developed to meet those callings - and we're anticipating having opportunities for children, youth, and adults that will be meaning-making, justice-driven, and grounded in our UU faith. With our RE Council fresh off of a retreat and Rev. Hillary bringing years of experience, there is a hum and vibration of goodness and growth.

What this means and what you should know about this coming year is:

And now, I have a request for you, and urge you to contact me if you feel called or inspired by either of these opportunities:

Take a breath. Let yourself feel the possibilities and the hope.

In Faith and Friendship,

Gwen

The Anti-Racism Working Group have purchased, for the use of First Universalist members, friends, and attendees:

Recommended donations for bumper stickers are $5 each, yard signs with a metal stake are $12, and copies of AntiRacist Baby are $12. Checks should be made out to the First Universalist Church and sent to the church with a note on the line for bumper sticker, yard sign, or book - or some combination of the three.

Anyone interested should contact Sarah at sarahcoffinwitte@gmail.com and she can arrange with you to pick up or drop off the bumper sticker, yard sign, or book. If we run out of bumper sticker or yard signs we will order more.

You can now submit your online request for an Absentee Ballot for the November election!

Ballots will be mailed out about 30 days before the election; but putting in your request now helps your town clerk’s office anticipate the absentee ballot volume they will face in the month before the election.

Don’t wait, put your request in now! (Request Absentee Ballot).