Dear friends,

I hope this finds you well! It has been a while now since we’ve been together in person, but it was a delight to see your faces last Sunday on Zoom. We are lucky to have technology that allows us to connect across the distance.

I will miss seeing you this coming weekend, too, but for good reason. My friend and colleague, Rev. Norm Allen, who serves First Parish UU downtown, will lead you in worship! He and I are swapping pulpits for the day as we strengthen the Unitarian Universalist community in Portland.

I have noticed, over these past weeks of being mostly apart from one another and as the news of our country continues to unfold in the way it is, my own sense of urgency around gathering, getting work done, saying the right words right away, always responding…

This morning when I walked outside to take the dog out, an unhoused neighbor was sleeping in my doorway. It was 4 degrees. Hours later I learned the YMCA Family Shelter lost its federal funding and has to close. There is so much urgency and endless need. My heart breaks.

And yet, I am also reminded of the saying, attributed to the Nigerian philosopher Bayo Akomolafe, “the times are urgent; let us slow down.” Of course we have tons of work to do. Of course we must respond. But we must do so from a place of rooted wholeness, from our strengths and depths. We continue to do the best we can, and to pace ourselves so we can be in this for the long haul. The world needs long-haul people.

Enjoy a beautiful service with Rev. Norm and a fun, belated Valentines potluck, too! Check in with your old friends at church and get to know someone new. If you’re a hugger, embrace one another. Sing with gusto! Breathe deep. Fall apart. Whatever you need to do. And reach out if you need to talk – I’m here.

Yours in faith,

Rev. Tara