Greetings, all!

What an incredible weekend of church we had. A wildly successful (and fun!) Artisan Market on Saturday, worship on Sunday (I’m thrilled to be back in the pulpit!), and on Sunday afternoon… I am pleased to report that DRE Emily and I were assisted in escaping from a wizard-themed Escape Room by our fabulous Coming of Age cohort. It was totally a blast!!

This Sunday in worship we’ll continue grappling with our December theme – how does a weary world rejoice? This week’s response is… “we root ourselves in ritual.” What are the rituals and traditions, sacred or secular, that root and ground you this time of year? What is the role of ritual in your life more generally? In church I’ll reflect on the role of ritual in the life of a faith community, and we’ll hear a short reflection from one of our Jewish community members as well as responses from all those who are gathered! I hope you’ll join us!!

As I write this–Thursday afternoon since I’m still getting back into things and forgot it was Thursday until now!–it’s 2pm and the sun is sinking low. At sundown tonight (or the sundown of any given time zone!) the first candles of Hanukkah will be lit by Jewish people all over the globe. A people connected across distance through ritual. May it be a fruitful celebration of light!

I also want to share with you a video of holiday season greetings from our UUA President, Rev. Dr. Sofia Betancourt- Glad Tidings: A Holiday Message for 2023.

Until I see you, may your days and nights be blessed.

Hanukkah Sameach!

Rev. Tara