Becoming numb in the wake of the mounting losses of life at the hand of gun violence is understandable. Still, we must learn how to continue to feel the range of emotions that follow terrifying tragedies. Our sorrow and our rage, our ability to take in the suffering and cultivate compassion, are vital parts of our humanity. We cannot allow the perpetrators of such violence to separate us from the qualities that allow for healing. (Link for a Zoom Thanksgiving morning prayer & reflection gathering is below.)  We must name the harm of a gunman piercing the sanctuary and the…

It has been ten days since the midterm election, and I’m still processing the results. As is usually the case, there has been lots of talk of winners and losers. That’s how it goes: A narrative takes shape that confirms the expectations going into the election or (like this year) doesn’t. Of course, we prefer a good crisp narrative. It helps to try to make sense of these confusing and complex times. But it is important not to lose sight of any given situation's subtleties. Nuance is so important. That’s why it is always important to notice all the layers…

Did you know that our UU purposes, principles, and sources are being re-drafted? This includes more than the addition of the new language that was adopted by our congregation in June 2021 through the 8th Principle. In fact, the entire article 2 in the UUA Bylaws is being rewritten with an eye towards the future of our faith. Ours is a living tradition, which means that how we express what it means to be a Unitarian Universalist has changed over time. The six principles at the time of the merger between the American Unitarian Association and the Universalist Church of…

K-1 class planting fall bulbs This past September marked the first in-person fall ingathering of our Learning Community of children and youth of all ages since 2019. Since March of 2020, our families, volunteers, and staff have engaged in various ways to keep our Learning Community afloat, and there were indeed many meaningful moments, unexpected opportunities, and powerful connections. Yet we felt the fragmentation of our community, ongoing challenges, and needs to constantly reassess during those many months that grew into years. But with intention, we move forward.  Last church year, we began a phased reopening of in person programs…

To write the voter engagement letters through our UU the Vote efforts, each writer needed to answer the prompt, “I vote because…” It’s a simple, yet profound question that had me delve into the core of my values and the Eight Principles that guide our faith community. Fundamentally, I vote because I want the people who make our laws and policies to reflect my values. I believe my vote and every vote, every person, matters. Our principles also shape a long list of specifics, like my belief that no community should be discriminated against, and that every community deserves clean…

We are glad and grateful to be launching our Season of Giving, or the “Rooted and Ready” Campaign for 2023.   If you missed Saturday’s letter kick-off letter, Marilyn Mays’ moving testimonial, or my Rooted and Ready Sermon, here are the links: Saturday Letter: https://t.e2ma.net/message/aywhci/exydfg9b Marilyn’s Testimonial – https://youtu.be/RNY7BW7V-P0?t=913 Rooted and Ready Sermon – https://youtu.be/RNY7BW7V-P0?t=3502  We are glad to start this campaign because we know that our ministries make a difference in the lives of many children, youth, and adults of all ages who participate in-person, online, or both. We are glad because we know that what we do here matters and that…

The importance of our democracy and the right to vote was first taught to me by my mother. As young as I can remember, she brought me with her into the voting booth, scooped me up off the floor and invited me to pull the ballot levers. On the way to the Public School 6 where we could cast her ballots, she would explain why she voted, who she was voting for, what they stood for, and why it mattered that as many people vote as often as possible, even in midterm elections. It was one of the first embodied…

Our spiritual theme of the 2022-2023 congregational year is “Rooted in Relationship.” It is an opportunity to explore formational questions, like: Who am I? and To whom do I belong?  As a human being, the question of identity, “Who am I?” or “Who are we?” is revealed through relationships. While there is value to looking at how I relate to myself, our goal is to become grounded and not self-centered.   Understanding who I am, or who we are as a family, community, institution, etc. moves quickly to questions of with whom we are in relationship and how we are in…

Last Sunday we held our congregation’s first Animal Blessing at Columbia Park in North Portland. We’ve talked about offering an Animal Blessing for years but it was Rev. Alison who encouraged us to try it this year. And what a blessing it was. We gathered on that warm afternoon with our animal companions. Lots of dogs. One hedgehog. Some stuffed animals that represented animals in our lives. Some brought photos. Some brought ashes from their deceased pets. Those were some of the most tender moments for me, remembering those pets that had passed and just how important they were for…

Welcome to the Fall Equinox! It is the time of the year when the number of hours of daylight equals the number of hours of night and moonlight. It is a time to honor and cultivate balance in our lives.   We are betwixt the warmth of summer and the beginning of the cool, crisp autumn air. We may feel called by outdoor physical pursuits or by quieter indoor pursuits, like reading and learning. The rest and renewal of summer makes way for the activities of fall – a new school year, a new congregational year, the harvest, the project long…