I write as we move into the second half of August…roughly five months since we were all together in worship under the beautiful dome in our sanctuary. I can’t believe it’s been so long. School ended in June and quietly slipped into summer without much of the usual fanfare. Since then, there have been many joyful summer days when I’ve enjoyed the splendor of the flowers and growing vegetables in my garden, gone on walks and hikes with Dan and the kids, caught up on summer reading that I started two summers ago, enjoyed socially-distanced outdoor visits with friends and family and binge watched more Netflix than I care to admit. But the feelings of loss and isolation, despite living in a house with 3 other people, have also been acute. That coupled with a world that feels out of control have resulted in many days of me being on the verge of, or actually in tears. I’ve realized that I need both solitude and connection, and in these times, it has been hard to get enough of either. In a socially-distanced world, reaching out to offer and receive support can be difficult. We don’t have those moments of bumping into one another in the great hall after a service, or as we move in and out of the building together for meetings and other church events. Those are moments when we can offer hugs and smiles, make plans and check in with one another, even if it’s brief…moments when we build, rebuild and strengthen our connections to one another.

That need for connection was a theme of our Board of Trustees retreat last weekend. We deepened our relationships and strengthened our connections to each other on the Board, and we want to carry that out to all of you, for whom we care so deeply.  We initially planned to keep our Annual Focus of Ministry (AFoM) and Open Questions (OQs) the same as last year. But, this year is certainly not the same as last, and as we talked and thought more deeply, we realized some changes were needed. Building and nurturing the connections our congregation shares with one another is our priority. The following is what we developed:

Our Annual Focus of Ministry

is to strengthen and grow our relationships with one another

and/or with the sacred so that we are connected during this

time of physical distancing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These relationships hearten us to boldly live our UU principles

to transform ourselves and the world.

To this end, we will:

 continue to educate ourselves about white supremacy culture and its impacts,

      nurture and support one another, and

     inspire and encourage one another to act personally and

collectively in these challenging times.

Open Questions

·        How are we accountable to one another, and what does

that accountability ask us to do?

·        How do we want to matter to one another in our congregation?

·        How do we want UUSS to matter in the world?

We look forward to thinking and talking about this year’s AFoM and OQs with you. We are exploring new ways to connect and have congregational conversations throughout this year to explore our Open Questions together.

However you are as this message finds you, know that you are not alone, that I, your co-ministers, and the rest of your Board of Trustees are here and that we care for you so deeply. Our connections to one another are what help get us through, and get through this, we will.

With much love and care,

Sara Meixner