Letters and videos from Rev. Tara Humphries, sharing reflections and news from our congregation.https://a2u2.org/en-ushttps://a2u2.org/letters/videos/2026-09-05-looking-ahead-to-fall/https://a2u2.org/letters/videos/2026-09-05-looking-ahead-to-fall/Rev. Tara shares what’s coming up this fall: water communion, shared ministry, ways to get involved, and gatherings through Thanksgiving.Mon, 07 Sep 2026 12:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-25-wear-your-favorite-family-friendly-values-on-your-t-shirt-sunday-morning/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-25-wear-your-favorite-family-friendly-values-on-your-t-shirt-sunday-morning/What a rich and full-to-the-brim final weekend of this church year we just had.Thu, 25 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-18-good-hard-holy/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-18-good-hard-holy/It has been a busy week as we approach the end of our program year at A2U2.Thu, 18 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-09-may-beauty-find-and-uplift-you/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-09-may-beauty-find-and-uplift-you/We completed the formal “work” of the church program year on Sunday in our Annual Meeting, where you unanimously passed the fiscal year 2027 budget and…Tue, 09 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-05-happy-pride-month-2/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-06-05-happy-pride-month-2/And a very happy Pride Month to us all.Fri, 05 Jun 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-28-the-highlights-of-june/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-28-the-highlights-of-june/I hope you’re well today in this busy time of wrapping things up and looking ahead while also yearning for a summer rest.Thu, 28 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-21-it-has-been-a-week-of-joy-and-sorrow-woven-fine/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-21-it-has-been-a-week-of-joy-and-sorrow-woven-fine/It has been a week of joy and sorrow woven fine, as many weeks are. The sun has been beautiful and the heat oppressive.Thu, 21 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-14-together-we-tell-the-story-of-this-church/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-14-together-we-tell-the-story-of-this-church/I have been immersed in reflection this week on the past year of our shared ministry.Thu, 14 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-07-celebrating-mothers-day/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-05-07-celebrating-mothers-day/May this find you well. I am still smiling from a wonderful day with many of you at Ferry Beach on Saturday and a joyful Sunday morning both in worship and with a fabulous new group of A2U2’ers in…Thu, 07 May 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-29-you-belong/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-29-you-belong/I hope you enjoyed the sunshine the early week brought.Wed, 29 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-22-enjoying-this-spring-break-week/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-22-enjoying-this-spring-break-week/I missed you last Sunday and hope you are well and enjoying this “Spring Break” week if you are someone for whom that is relevant!Wed, 22 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-17-self-differentiated-leadership-being-separate-but-still-connected/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-17-self-differentiated-leadership-being-separate-but-still-connected/This note is making its way to you as I wrap up an overnight in New Hampshire for the UU Minister’s Association Northern New England Chapter spring…Fri, 17 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-09-to-be-a-resurrection-people-we-must-write-the-story-of-our-shared-life/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-09-to-be-a-resurrection-people-we-must-write-the-story-of-our-shared-life/Greetings to you on a beautiful sunny day! I am trying to hold onto the joy of small things, like sunshine, amidst the ongoing horror of All The Things, in particular this week the unfolding…Thu, 09 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-01-let-us-be-a-people-of-resurrection-who-rise-again-and-again/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-04-01-let-us-be-a-people-of-resurrection-who-rise-again-and-again/Best wishes to you each as we begin April! And can you believe that we are just days from Easter? It snuck up on me this year as it’s both early in the month and spring’s unfolding is slow.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-25-blessed-are-the-peacemakers/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-25-blessed-are-the-peacemakers/May this note find you well on this Thursday morning!Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-19-may-you-find-a-moment-of-peace-in-the-storm/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-19-may-you-find-a-moment-of-peace-in-the-storm/In the coming day or so, based on the sighting of the new moon, Muslims in our Portland community and around the world will begin the celebration of Eid,…Thu, 19 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-12-there-is-holiness-in-the-waiting-in-the-mud/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-12-there-is-holiness-in-the-waiting-in-the-mud/As always I hope this finds you healthy and well.Thu, 12 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-05-be-kind-to-yourself-and-enjoy-the-sunshine/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-03-05-be-kind-to-yourself-and-enjoy-the-sunshine/May this note find you well and enjoying the sunshine! These past few days of sun and the beauty of fresh snow have been a balm to my spirit as the heartbreak of our country and horrors of war abroad…Thu, 05 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-26-reflecting-on-an-ecological-process-called-coastal-upwelling/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-26-reflecting-on-an-ecological-process-called-coastal-upwelling/May this note find you well amidst these still-winter-but-spring-trying-to-emerge days! At my former congregation, in late February into March, my colleague and I would begin suggesting to one…Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-18-ash-wednesday-video-message/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-18-ash-wednesday-video-message/In lieu of a Between Sundays reflection this week, I have recorded a video message for you in honor of the spiritual lesson this day, Ash Wednesday, has to teach us: From dust we come, to dust we…Wed, 18 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-12-anam-cara/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-12-anam-cara/Before the snow and clouds this week, we had sunshine.Thu, 12 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-05-the-first-stirrings-of-spring/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-02-05-the-first-stirrings-of-spring/We welcomed the first stirrings of spring in our Imbolc celebration on Sunday and I have been carrying with me the message that new life is stirring.Thu, 05 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-20-the-call-to-show-up-to-our-upcoming-potluck/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-20-the-call-to-show-up-to-our-upcoming-potluck/I am still uplifted from a wonderful weekend of community with you.Tue, 20 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-16-connection-with-the-worlds-suffering-and-joy/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-16-connection-with-the-worlds-suffering-and-joy/It has been what I call a week… There’s a whole lot of the world’s heaviness to hold at the moment and a very busy community to keep up with!Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-15-we-are-back-in-full-swing-with-all-things-a2u2-after-a-holiday-break/https://a2u2.org/letters/2026-01-15-we-are-back-in-full-swing-with-all-things-a2u2-after-a-holiday-break/We are back in full-swing with all things A2U2 after a holiday break! Thank you for your patience with the staff team as we catch up on email, etc, after our time away.Thu, 15 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-19-winter-solstice-in-the-depths-of-december/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-19-winter-solstice-in-the-depths-of-december/Blessings to you, A2U2 members and friends, on this Thursday morning.Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-11-celebrating-the-courage-we-each-have-as-we-answer-loves-call/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-11-celebrating-the-courage-we-each-have-as-we-answer-loves-call/Blessings to you this Thursday morning!Thu, 11 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-04-what-do-you-fear-insisting-on-hope-this-advent/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-12-04-what-do-you-fear-insisting-on-hope-this-advent/December greetings to you!Thu, 04 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-11-26-blessings-to-you-on-this-day-of-gratitude/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-11-26-blessings-to-you-on-this-day-of-gratitude/Blessings to you on this day of gratitude and celebration of abundance and harvest.Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-30-we-must-keep-our-hearts-soft-and-open-to-stay-human/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-30-we-must-keep-our-hearts-soft-and-open-to-stay-human/A blessed Samhain and Halloween to you and your families tomorrow evening!Thu, 30 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-22-a-season-of-loss-and-remembering-to-live/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-22-a-season-of-loss-and-remembering-to-live/We’re nearing the season where the veil between the living and the dead is said to be thinnest.Wed, 22 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-15-we-are-in-the-thick-of-fall/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-15-we-are-in-the-thick-of-fall/As I write this note, my partner is in the kitchen chopping up a pumpkin for cooking.Wed, 15 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-08-how-do-we-hold-onto-our-humanity/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-08-how-do-we-hold-onto-our-humanity/We have a full weekend ahead of us at A2U2 and I wish those of you who are traveling for the long weekend well!Wed, 08 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-02-turn-back-to-love/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-10-02-turn-back-to-love/May this find you well.Thu, 02 Oct 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-09-25-we-need-sweetness-in-life/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-09-25-we-need-sweetness-in-life/May this find you well and with two feet planted firmly in fall!Thu, 25 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-09-19-what-role-does-risk-play-in-our-lives/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-09-19-what-role-does-risk-play-in-our-lives/I hope this note finds you well.Fri, 19 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-09-11-the-change-in-seasons-is-underway-this-moment-is-full-of-possibility/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-09-11-the-change-in-seasons-is-underway-this-moment-is-full-of-possibility/It’s starting to feel like fall, isn’t it?Thu, 11 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-08-27-change-is-hard-and-possible/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-08-27-change-is-hard-and-possible/I am back to work from my summer time away and re-entering the life of our community.Wed, 27 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-25-may-the-rhythms-of-summer-be-a-balm-to-you/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-25-may-the-rhythms-of-summer-be-a-balm-to-you/May this note find you cool and content somewhere on the other side of the heat wave.Wed, 25 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-19-today-let-us-celebrate-freedom/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-19-today-let-us-celebrate-freedom/Greetings from humid Baltimore where I am immersed in all things Unitarian Universalism (as well as an air conditioned convention center).Thu, 19 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-12-how-to-carry-on-when-the-systems-are-so-broken-and-the-pain-is-so-immense/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-12-how-to-carry-on-when-the-systems-are-so-broken-and-the-pain-is-so-immense/Blessings to you on this summery Thursday.Thu, 12 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-03-we-will-celebrate-in-love-acceptance-and-joy/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-06-03-we-will-celebrate-in-love-acceptance-and-joy/Happy June, dear ones, and a blessed beginning to this Pride Month!Tue, 03 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-29-how-has-transformation-shaped-your-journey/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-29-how-has-transformation-shaped-your-journey/I hope you had a fabulous long weekend and enjoyed the summer weather!Thu, 29 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-22-nourishment-resilience/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-22-nourishment-resilience/Pictured above is a classic image of May in Maine… a big pile of wild foraged fiddleheads.Thu, 22 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-14-our-faith-is-about-being-human-together/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-14-our-faith-is-about-being-human-together/May this find you well.Wed, 14 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-08-listening-for-the-question/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-08-listening-for-the-question/Greetings from Rochester, MN, where I am living and learning for the week at the Assisi Heights Spiritual Center, the convent home of the Sisters of Saint Francis (where I took the image above).Thu, 08 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-03-come-skeptics-some-seekers-come-marchers-and-laborers/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-05-03-come-skeptics-some-seekers-come-marchers-and-laborers/And a blessed Beltane to those who honor the seasons and cycles of the Earth.Sat, 03 May 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-24-learning-growth-and-queer-joy/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-24-learning-growth-and-queer-joy/I am wishing you, a few days belated, a blessed Earth Day!Thu, 24 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-16-stories-can-be-true-whether-they-happen-or-not/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-16-stories-can-be-true-whether-they-happen-or-not/Passover, Holy Week, and Easter are upon us (Chag Pesach Sameach to those who observe!).Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMThttps://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-16-we-need-one-another/https://a2u2.org/letters/2025-04-16-we-need-one-another/Blessings to you on this April Thursday.Wed, 16 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT