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…

Homecoming Sunday was filled with energy, excitement, and people of all ages. 480 people were in-person and over 300 of you were on Boxcast, YouTube, and Facebook at the same time. And, many of you are watching throughout this week. (If you missed my opening message, here is the YouTube link beginning at the sermon: https://youtu.be/71PO8eIhQek?t=4082).   We kicked off our theme for this year, “Rooted in Relationship,” we had a rousing afterparty for homecoming, our children and youth got to meet their teachers, and we renewed our commitment to strengthening our democracy through UU the Vote. What a meaningful, moving beginning for…

Welcome to the start of a new year and a new shared ministry. This coming Sunday, September 11th at 10:30am is our homecoming, and children, youth, and adults of all ages are invited to join us in-person and online. I can’t wait to begin our first year together! It is a time of getting to know each other, of nourishing the roots of relationship, and of planting seeds for a vibrant future. Over the course of this year, I hope to find ways to spend some time with all of you whether at a worship, social event, justice event, learning…

We are getting ready for the launch of a New Year with anticipation and excitement growing. As Cassandra Scheffman, our Director of Family Ministries, shared last Sunday: “This will be the first time we are holding in-person September classes & multi-gen worships for our children since 2019.” This is something to celebrate! (Please check out her full announcement including a request for volunteers here:  https://youtu.be/n3Ejl1YNUbw?t=1085 Our upcoming Homecoming Sunday on September 11th is a community building day you will not want to miss! We are kicking off our annual spiritual theme, “Rooted in Relationship,” at the 10:30AM multigenerational worship service (in-person and online). It…

I am delighted to share that I have arrived in Portland! I am very excited to begin our work together. Here is an early report from my office in our beautiful church grounds.   I have already had the chance to meet with our staff, our board, and to enjoy Carter Smith’s last Sunday Service with us.   The staff and I are meeting to imagine and plan a year filled with opportunities for inspiration, connection, justice-making, and service. There will be lots more to share soon, but for now I will let you know that our Annual Spiritual Theme for 2022…