Happy new congregational year!

We are grateful to have had three weeks of vacation in July to tend to our own bodies and minds and spirits. Rest is important, sometimes even revolutionary when capitalism (and run amok government officials) demand more More MORE or do more and more egregious harm. We hope you have had a chance to have some rest, relaxation, and to do something that nourishes you.

Though we were not in the pulpit this summer, we worked for several weeks, preparing for and facilitating the pilgrimage to Follensby Pond, with participants from three different congregations. We are grateful for what we experienced, learned, and witnessed. Thanks to John Reschovsky, Catherine Miller, and Tom Comparin for the time and care they offered as volunteers to this adventure and fundraiser for the congregation.

Our summer work time also included preparing for and leading the Board Retreat in four sessions, 2 3-hour evenings and 2 full days strengthening leadership skills, tending to one another and our relationships, exploring governance, creating a new covenant, writing a new Annual Focus of Ministry, and deciding on two new Open Questions so that the congregation can offer input and provide some guidance to the Board’s work. They created some goals and are in the process of finalizing work products they will delegate to the three Advisory Committees of the Board. You’ll hear more about all that over the next couple of weeks. We also offered some pastoral care, did some reading and filing, and connected with staff periodically to support their important work on behalf of the Congregation’s mission.

We are so grateful that in Unitarian Universalism, we have a shared pulpit. As your Co-ministers, we are responsible and accountable for the worship life of the congregation and per the Letter of Agreement that guides congregations and ministers of the UUA, we are expected to lead between 30 and 35 services a year (range is somewhat dependent on denominational commitments and other factors). The other Sundays are wonderfully and ably led by guest ministers and lay leaders. The voices of lay leaders and guest ministers enrich those who participate in worship or who access the recordings available online as no one person knows everything about anything and no one person knows something about everything. Deep and heartfelt thanks to those who led worship this summer as we all continue to live lives of meaning-making and creating a congregation where more find a sense of belonging.

We also had a week of Study Leave-reading, engaging in spiritual practices, contemplating the year ahead, and learning more about a new pilot program of the UUA. (see below)

For those celebrating Rosh Hashanah later this week, may the candles illuminate hearts towards peace; may the new fruit inspire renewed faith; may the apple, challah, and honey bring sweetness not just to tongues but to your whole year. May you be inscribed into the Book of Life. Shanah tovah!

We look forward to being with you… to reconnecting with those of you we know, and meeting folks who have started attending UUSS over the summer.

With anticipation,
Rev. Lynn and Rev. Wendy

 

(published September 9th)

What a wonderful year it has been celebrating Unitarian Universalism and the 125th anniversary of this congregation through a Launch Lunch and a MayFest CommUUnity Celebration! So many of you have whole-heartedly engaged in the shared ministry of UUSS and we are grateful to be in the work of the UUSS mission with you: Connecting in spiritual community, we celebrate life with joy, grow in compassion, and create justice! We did a lot of thanking in the service on June 14 but in case you weren’t there – Thank you if you have been showing up, participating, pledging, and/or volunteering! It matters. YOU matter.

Each year the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) chooses a book called The Common Read. UUs all over engage in reading and with the resources/curriculum generated by the UUA. Recent common reads have been: On Repentance and Repair: Making Amends in an Unapologetic World by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg; Authentic Selves: Celebrating Trans and Nonbinary People and Their Families interviews by Peggy Gillespie; Social Change Now: A Guide for Reflection and Connection by Deepa Iyer. And the UUA has announced the Common Read for 2026-27 as Love at the Center: Unitarian Universalist Theologies with Sofía Betancourt as the editor of this series of essays.

The UUA has its own publishing, too. Beacon Press books “seek to change the way readers think about fundamental issues…” Beacon Press has published several national bestsellers over the years. Skinner House Books publishes titles specifically for the “spiritual needs of Unitarian Universalists, seekers, and others who share the values of liberal religion.”

If you are looking for a good book this summer (or several), you might find just what you are looking for in the library at Waters House or at the UUA bookstore! There are books for all ages there!

According to the Dictionary of Unitarian and Universalist Biography, Margaret Fuller, born to Unitarian parents, “possessed more influence on the thought of American women than any previous to her time.” So wrote Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton in their 1881 History of Woman Suffrage. … A brilliant and highly educated member of the Transcendentalist group, she challenged Ralph Waldo Emerson both intellectually and emotionally.” Many found her work and her thoughts life-changing. She is quoted as having once said, “Today a reader, tomorrow a leader.”

As we consider reading an important part of Unitarian Universalism and an informed electorate, may reading (or listening to stories if that is more your jam) bring you meaning and strength and joy for the journey ahead.

Summer blessings!
Rev. Wendy and Rev. Lynn

A number of folks have asked what our plans are for the summer, and while the responsibilities of the end of year are taking precedence over our specific planning for the summer, we do intend to take some time for vacation and some study leave.

Study leave is time for us to engage in practices that nurture and sustain our well-being. Study leave may include time to reflect, go on retreat, engage in spiritual practices, read, write, learn, attend training and/or workshops, continuing education, and to begin preparations for the year ahead.

Vacation may be more obvious what it is but it might not occur to some that it means we are away, as in not working, even if we are at home. We need to be able to rest and reset just like everyone else which means we are not reading email or answering texts or otherwise working. If there is an emergency, you can contact Lillian the Church Administrator and she will decide, sometimes in consultation with Board President Stephanie Maslanka, what the right course of action is. If you see us out and about, of course you can say hello. Please do! But let’s not talk about church business or congregational life. Feel free to tell us how your summer is going, what you’ve been doing to protest the government, and things like that.

Whether we are on vacation or study leave, we will also continue to resist fascism, work for justice, and care for our neighbors, because we know it is important to live our UU values all year long, to the best of our ability on any given day. We hope you’ll join us in your own way.

Our hoped for plan is that much of July is full of vacation. In August, we will be ‘at work’ preparing for and then co-leading the pilgrimage to Follensby Pond and preparing for and meeting with the Board over several days for the annual Board Retreat. There will also be some study leave sprinkled in. And, we shall see how the days unfold. This is your last call to register for the Follensby Pond trip, a fundraiser for the congregation and a nurturing experience for those who go with us to ponder our history, reflect while held by the Earth, and connect with other UUs in a deeper way all in an incredibly beautiful place in the Adirondacks.

We are grateful for the shared ministry of this congregation, that includes the Staff, the Ministry Teams, the Board, and Advisory Committees, and lots of volunteers each doing your part.

We hope that your summer includes activities and connections that bring you joy. There will be lots of wonderful things happening at UUSS and we hope that you choose to show up, participate, and connect with others in the congregation. There are so many wonderful folks here! If you need any care and support, please contact the Caring Team member listed in Circuits. Other questions can go to Lillian Johnson, Church Administrator.

With love and care,
Rev. Lynn & Rev. Wendy

Each June the Unitarian Universalist Association holds a General Assembly where delegates from all congregations who make up the UUA, as well as anyone interested, attend general sessions where the business of the Association takes place, worship, workshops, and time for caucus gatherings and other times of connection.

This year, General Assembly is taking place mostly online, with small groups gathering as well. It is a different schedule than has happened before, and there are lots of thoughts and feelings about the changes. Starting this past Sunday afternoon, and concluding today, there have been General Sessions where delegates elected incoming Board & Nominating Committee members, heard and discussed a proposed bylaw change that was voted down as it would not have solved the issue raised, and a business resolution that was passed, that will create a task force to review the processes and support offered that impact ministerial transitions, particularly when there has been conflict or concerns raised.

Today’s sessions are focusing on Actions of Immediate Witness that could result in suggestions for ways that congregations can engage with certain social justice issues. There is also two business resolutions in favor of actively supporting more youth participation in next year’s GA, which will be in San Jose, CA.

There are parts of General Assembly that are open and available to all, whether registered or not. These are available on the UUA website.

However you choose to devote your energy and time this week, may your life reflect the values we share and profess, with love at the center, always. In faith – Rev. Lynn & Rev. Wendy

As we explore Beauty in Community this month, we are reminded, again and again, how grateful we are for the many volunteers at UUSS!

For all who sign up, show up, and serve…. Thank you! For all who are interested in volunteering in the future… hooray!

We hope to see you on Sunday so that we can share gratitude together.

in faith~ Rev. Lynn & Rev. Wendy

Happy May!

Some of you have heard us say that being a Unitarian Universalist isn’t something that can be contained or limited to Sunday mornings, or within the church buildings, or lived quietly at home. It involves living our values in the wider world, too. For many of us, that means connecting with people and organizations in the community that contribute to creating, sustaining, or protecting the world in which we want to live. That was one reason we were so grateful for the community organizations that were able to be part of MayFest, and it is definitely why we are excited about the CommUUnity Gala and Awards Dinner that will be happening in October.

And, this is where you come in. If you can think of a person, business, or organization that exemplifies compassion, or justice, or joy as named in our UUSS mission statement, please nominate them for one of these awards! Are you sure that someone else has already nominated them? Please do so anyway, as that will give the planning team more information. (A link to the short nomination form is in the announcement below with the 125th logo!)

The Gala Planning Team will be choosing our award recipients next week, so that we can confirm their availability for the awards dinner, and include their names on the invitations. Hooray for 125 years of UUSS, and for our neighbors and partners in the community, too! In faith~ Rev. Wendy & Rev. Lynn

As we end a month exploring For All We Cherish and head into a month of exploring Our Living Stories, we share this reading by our friend and colleague, Rev. Leah Ongiri, who wrote ‘Weavers of One Story’:

“Here we are
together
each facing our different human tasks
or maybe the same central one:
to embrace the lessons life delivers
to discern and respond as we grow
to refuse harm and cherish flourishing

May we know ourselves
as vessels of infinite possibility
Holders of each other’s heartaches and tales of joy alike
weavers of one story
in which we each have our part”

May you know who, what, and why you cherish.
May we refuse harm and cherish flourishing, not just for ourselves but for the congregation, the wider community, and all life.

We hope to see you at the MayFest on Saturday, May 2 1-4:30pm. The buildings will be closed but our hearts and the grounds will be open! There will be a fun area for kids! There will be a fun area for listening and dancing to live and dj’d music! There will be wonderful vendors to peruse. There will be food and beverage vendors. There will be wonderful community organizations sharing their work. There will be great things to experience, purchase, raffle tickets to try to win wonderful prizes, t-shirts, and reusable water bottles to purchase that directly helps the church’s financial stability! There will be lots of wonderful people, and even more if you are there, too! And…there will also be porta-potties onsite.

Plan to park further away as Wendell will be closed between Adams and Douglas. If you have limited mobility or have young kids with you, please PLEASE come to UUSS from the Rugby/Douglas side of the buildings and our parking volunteers will happily let you in to our church parking lot. Otherwise-please find someplace considerate in the neighborhood.

The Planning Team has been working hard to prepare. Please come and celebrate!

Rev. Wendy and Rev. Lynn

Gathering with UUs near and far helps us remember we are not alone. You have heard both of us preach this message and now also Rev. Ashley Horan in March and Rev. Cathy Rion-Starr this past Sunday for our cluster service.

It is a lot of work to bring 5 congregations together and we are grateful to the planning team, the music professionals, the religious education and member professionals, the ministers, childcare providers, maintenance and administrative staff, and ALLLLL the volunteers who helped with prep, set-up, worship, tech, beverage and snacks social hour, workshop, and clean-up. It takes a lot of people and a lot of hours to prepare for this joint service. Thank you to those of you who lightened the load.

We turn our attention now to preparing for MayFest! Last August, the Board gave us an Annual Focus of Ministry ‘to make courageous decisions with Love at the center, and take collective action to meet this moment together.’ The AFoM is a way to guide our focus on the church’s broad mission for the year. As we serve the mission (the church has ONE mission and each Ministry Team, and thus program, needs to have some purpose in serving that One Mission)-Connecting in spiritual community, we celebrate life with joy, grow in compassion, and create justice- the MayFest Planning Team has been doing both beautifully!! And so have others!

Many thanks to those of you who have already been helping with the Grounds clean-up, with pop-tents and safety vests, with contributions to the 125th Celebration (if you haven’t, now is a GREAT TIME to do so for $125 or $1,250, or $12,500 or some multiple of any of these or any amount you can afford). We’re also grateful to William Kleinhandler for his bequest for music and cultural events as his legacy will be supporting the music stage.

We hope to see you this weekend and again the following weekend for the MayFest if you are in town! Bring your friends and neighbors!

With gratitude,

Rev. Wendy and Rev. Lynn

Have you felt any change this week?

The days are (a little) longer, the air is (sometimes) warmer, and bright yellow forsythia, meadows of blue-violet scilla, and so many bulbs are beginning to bloom. On a walk this morning, we saw our first flowering plum of the year, a harbinger of hope with soft pink blossoms.

And, there is a lot that is blooming at UUSS, too!

This Sunday, UUSS will gather for worship and a workshop with Unitarian Universalists from congregations in Albany, Glens Falls, Kingston, and Saratoga Springs. We are so grateful to our colleagues, Rev. Cathy Rion-Starr from Side With Love, and Rev. Lyn Cox from the Central East Region staff who will be with us for this special Sunday.

And, in just a short while, on May 2, we have the MayFest CommUUnity Celebration!! Please see the announcements below. We need lots of volunteers and help with spreading the word. Can’t be with us that day? We can still use your help! Stop by the table on Sunday or click on the volunteer link and let us know.

With all the planning and preparation, we also know that it is important to pause… to enjoy the flowers and sunshine; to check in on folks who are ill, or grieving, or recovering from surgery; to contact our elected officials and keep learning how to resist fascism and protect those who are most at risk from unconstitutional and immoral attacks. (That’s why we had a spectacular Seed Feast last week and why there will be a workshop this Sunday!)

It’s so important to be part of a community and congregation that values both pluralism and interdependence, that leans into justice and equity, that practices generosity and welcomes transformation! We hope to see you soon!

 

With love at the center,

Rev. Lynn and Rev. Wendy

In this month of April, we are exploring For All We Cherish. It can take courage to name what matters to us. We can feel a little vulnerable when we name it. So when someone reveals to us what they cherish, let us offer the respect and tender listening our covenantal faith invites us into. Our Program Staff will be sharing reflections this month to share a bit about what they cherish. We hope to hear from you, as well, about what you cherish.

Each year the Board considers what they have heard and learned from the congregation in the past year’s Open Question events, and then creates an Annual Focus of Ministry to guide the work of the Ministers, Staff Team, and each of the Ministry Teams. As the name implies, it encourages us to focus our efforts in a particular way.

This year’s Annual Focus of Ministry is to make courageous decisions with love at the center, and take collective action to meet this moment together.

Sometimes courage with love at the center means trying something new. Sometimes it means setting healthy boundaries. Sometimes it means trying on a fresh idea or someone else’s perspective.

On May 2nd, UUSS will continue to celebrate our 125 years with a Mayfest CommUUnity Block Party! The planning team has been working since the fall, and their ideas and vision for the day are courageous, loving, and will definitely take many hands and hearts to be a success!

This is the first time this congregation has had such a big event for the wider community. There will be a stage with fabulous music, food trucks, activities for kids, and booths with local artists and community organizations. We hope that you invite folks to attend and also to be vendors (selling good, services, crafts) and that you will also volunteer. Please stop by the table on a Sunday morning to sign up.

With anticipation,

Rev. Lynn & Rev. Wendy