Dear UUSS~

When we had a week of study leave in early July and began to imagine and map out worship themes for this church year, we thought Building Bridges might resonate in November. At the time, we had thought that many of us would be able to gather in-person beginning in September, and we anticipated some focus on supporting the bridge to connect those online with those who were in the Great Hall. We figured there would be bridges needed surrounding November elections, and within some families who might be gathering for Thanksgiving, perhaps for the first time in years.

Then, this fall, dealing with the disappointment that the delta variant wrought, at our Worship Team meeting, we asked members of the team to reflect on the fall worship themes and, in relationship with the new Annual Focus of Ministry, to imagine what we might be doing later in the fall, or whenever we might get to re-open. Listening to some of their reflections about bridges, we deepened in our appreciation for what a powerful and complex metaphor it is.

This pandemic time has been so very hard, and none of us knew how difficult some rivers and chasms would be to cross, nor how long this journey would take. There is no blueprint and no trail markers to follow. There is only the ongoing revelation of scientific discovery, a deep desire to live into our UU aspirations of inclusion, mixed with some curiosity and compassion as it all unfolds in its own timeline.

We hope to see you at Sunday’s Congregational Meeting, which will follow the worship service. We will be there with our best bridge-building materials: open minds, a willingness to listen, curiosity, and loving hearts. We hope you’ll bring those gifts too!

In faith~

Rev. Lynn & Rev. Wendy