October is here!

A2U2 friends –

The temperatures are sinking, days are growing shorter, and campaign signs populate every street corner. October is here!

It was such a gift to gather together in worship followed by outdoor reflection and exploration as we celebrated the UU Climate Justice Revival. In worship we reflected on Refugia – those places in the natural world where life persists in the face of destruction… and that become the sites of renewal and regrowth. We are called to be a people of refugia… our church a refugium that nurtures life amidst all that is broken… a place where we, our values, and our faith survive and become seeds of new life for those who come after us.

It occurred to me when preaching on refugia that this framework encapsulates our developmental ministry goals and the work of culture change… to live into covenant and cultivate trust, openness, honesty, and respect… to develop a culture of true inclusivity and openness to new ideas… and to develop church structures that are built on a shared understanding of our church’s purpose and goals. To work toward these goals in community is to cultivate refugia. It is hard work. It is spiritual work. And I was reminded while watching the VP debate on Tuesday… it is vital, life-saving work.

This coming Sunday we will welcome my colleague Rev. Paul Langston-Daley (he/they) into the pulpit for a service focused on how we as Unitarian Universalists can work to strengthen democracy beyond election season. Following worship, all are invited (and encouraged!) to stay for the final Vote Forward letter writing session of the fall. Cultivating refugia!

And one more invitation:

This coming Tuesday, Oct. 8th from 6-7:30pm on ZOOM my colleague Rev. Elizabeth Mount (they/them) is offering a Gender Identity and Pronouns Skill-Up for A2U2 members and friends as well as members at the UU congregation in Brunswick. It is my hope that those of you who are available will seriously consider attending. This workshop is not just for those with a particular interest in this topic, but for EVERYONE who is struggling to understand and adjust to having a Minister and other loved ones with gender-neutral pronouns and gender-queer identities. Which is many of you.

The workshop will be a space where there are no dumb questions. And where you’ll learn some tools to help make our congregation more welcoming, maybe even a refugia, for trans/non-binary/gender-queer people in our community.  Registration link: https://a2u2.breezechms.com/form/b179feZoom link: https://uuma.zoom.us/j/94768363262.

I’m excited for you to hear Rev. Paul’s message on Sunday, and I look forward to connecting with you next week. Until then, may your days and nights be blessed.

In faith,

Rev. Tara (they/them)