This past week at the Fellowship has continued our focus on safety as a way to care for each other. Our fire drill on Sunday showed many learning opportunities. If you are interested in helping carry this foward, please be in touch with Wolfgang Dengler. On Monday, 20 UUFC leaders spent three hours learning about how to respond if ICE comes to the building. This was emotionally draining but gives us concrete information to begin to implement plans.
The interim ministry process of reviewing history and clarifying identity continues to show up in many ares of Fellowship life. In many conversations, new members are learning from long term members about the dreams, efforts, and successes in this congregation. One example is the congregation’s strong work to get volunteers to help with staffing programs for people who are unhoused. Another example is the strong history of supporting food access programs. And now, even more, these programs are being bolstered. If you would like to help, please be in touch with Mike Jager, Roberta Smith, and Roz Keeney.
A wonderful book called In the Interim has been created by the Unitarian Universalist Association for congregations to understand more about the opportunities to use this time well — after a Settled minister leaves and before another arrives. Three copies of the book are in our library – please check one out and see what insights you gain. Staff, board, and the Transitions Team each have a copy and report they are getting relief from seeing how other congregations have thrived in their interim time. A wonderful conversation starter!
Also, in the past week, I have seen the many quiet ways members of this congregation care for each other during hospitalizations and in nursing homes. These connections happen through cards, phone calls, texts, and visits. Much sweetness is exchanged in these supportive moments. This is one more way the spiritual life shows up and nourishes us, as we give and as we receive.
Looking forward to more joy, connection, and justice,
Looking forward to more listening, learning, and growing,
Looking forward to more history and honoring the past,
With gratitude for the marvel of this amazing Fellowship — how it touches inward and outward,
In peace
Rev. Alex McGee