Hello good people. Happy summer. The Unitarian Universalist Association General Assembly met last month in Pittsburgh, PA. The General Assembly is the annual gathering of our denomination. GA serves an important governance function in our movement—representatives from congregations vote on the major decisions that affect the life of our denomination. But it is also the “gathering of the tribe,” a time to renew bonds of connection as well as to form new bonds. A lot happened a this GA and Arthur Ungar, one of this congregation’s delegates graciously agreed to offer the following summary from GA: Report on General Assembly…

“The most moving look I ever saw from a child in the woods was on a mud bar by the footprints of a heron. We were on our knees, making handprints beside the footprints. You could feel the creek vibrating in the silt and sand. The sun beat down heavily on our hair. Our shoes were soaking wet. The look said: I did not know until now that I needed someone much older to confirm this, the feeling I have of life here. I can now grow older, knowing it need never be lost.”  –Barry Lopez (from the essay “Children…

I sat in on one of the Community Conversations yesterday and left feeling inspired about the church. If you haven’t signed up for one, I hope you will do so. There are still several times—in person and virtually—when you can attend. And if you haven’t heard about them, Rev. Alison is hosting a series of gatherings with congregants to make a space to hear not only about what brought people to the church and what keeps them here but also to hear people’s longings for our community. Every day these days I’m aware of how we are a church in…

As we launch our Community Conversations sessions this Sunday, I want to share some of the vision and direction we are headed in together. This is grounded in all you have shared with me so far this year and what I have learned as a minister over the years.   Please attend one of the eight sessions between this Sunday, May 21, and Sunday, June 11, and keep the information coming about what you find meaningful now and your hopes and dreams for the future of our community. Register at www.tinyURL.com/FUPConversations  1.)    I am hearing over and over stories of people who are…

This morning as I was reading the news my eyes paused over the headline that as of today the government is declaring the Covid public health emergency over. The story in the New York Times talked about the range of emotions that brings, especially for the families of people who have died of Covid. How the pandemic has impacted some people so much more than it has others. And my next question: so just what does it mean for this to be declared over? On Wednesday I took a walk downtown at lunch time. Something I haven’t done much at…

This month we are exploring the theme of transformation as one way into our annual spiritual theme of “Rooted in Relationship.” Being part of a covenanting spiritual community involves continuous change. First Unitarian is not the same as we were in the 1880s or the 1980s, or the early 2000s. We will not be the same in 2033 as we are today in 2023. While some things about us will remain constant, there will be shifts and movement all along the way.   Some changes are unwanted, such as the need to face a highly infectious pandemic that has led to…

The first really warm days of spring—like yesterday and today—are such gifts. And this year especially so. Winter’s grip has felt especially tenacious. That’s probably why the warmth feels so good. Signs of rebirth are all around right now and it really is amazing to witness. That’s probably why Earth Day is celebrated in April, when we are so aware of the rebirth of the earth. Last Sunday there was a wonderful Earth Day Fair for families. There was everything from a book recycling station, to a chance to look at growing things under a microscope to bird houses made…

My heart is swelling with gratitude for all the people in our community who helped to make our day of the Installation so meaningful. By the way, if you had to miss it, you can watch in now on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/live/OQrxFxFAlN0?feature=share&t=552 On Sunday, we covenanted with one another – me, your new Senior Minister, and you, the members of this great congregation. Led, by our Moderator, Ryan Deibert, we made promises to nourish and uplift this shared ministry, which belongs to us all. We, the members and friends, the ministers and staff, co-create who we are and what…

I am so excited to be with you this Sunday afternoon at 4 p.m. for our Service of Installation as we covenant together and make promises to one another to ground and lift our shared ministry. This is a service about us and our future. It is an invitation to individual and communal transformation, in the months and years ahead, within our congregation and through our engagement in the wider world of which we are a part.   Some people have asked about this service versus what happened last May during candidating week. Last May, you affirmed the call. This week…

Staying Connected Blog Rev. Thomas Disrud offers a reflection today. How is it we make the journey from Good Friday to Easter? It has been said, and I think I agree, that Unitarian Universalists sometimes want to get to Easter before we fully experience Good Friday. That the journey from death to resurrection first is about the deaths that are part of living. That the suffering and loss and brokenness from Jesus’ death are important preludes to the Easter story of new life and rebirth. Tomorrow evening we will have a Good Friday Tenebrae service at 7 pm in the…