All Hallows Eve greetings to you, A2U2!
I hope you might find some joy today whether it’s a small human in costume or the perfect piece of chocolate. And I am sending special well wishes for the practicing pagans in our church community who observe Samhain, the pagan new year, this eve! May your celebrations be blessed.
I am aware that for others, celebration is far from your mind. Election anxiety is high as we anticipate what might come on Tuesday and beyond. Please know I am with you in love and care as you navigate the rollercoaster of the coming days. May we be ever so gentle with one another.
There are a few ways for you to lean into spiritual community this weekend at church:
On Saturday from 1-3pm in person at A2U2 we’ll join with other local congregations (First Parish, Portland Friends Meeting, Brunswick UU, and South Portland UCC) for a workshop led by Rev. Laura Randall of the UU Service Committee on organizing for trans justice & safety (Pink Haven). We’ll build on the learning we did last spring about the impacts of anti-trans legislation on trans families in the US and take the next steps in organizing ourselves to be of support to trans families relocating to Maine, a legislatively safer state. This is important work and I hope you will join us!
On Sunday we will gather for worship, our service inspired by a famous line from the late liberal pastor Henry Emerson Fosdick’s 1930 hymn… “grant us wisdom, grant us courage, for the facing of this hour… for the facing of this hour.” We’ll reflect together on democracy, faith, power, and what we will need for the facing of this hour in the history of our country.
Hopeful, hopeless, or anywhere in between… come and be held in the love of a community united in our shared vision of a world where love and justice reign. As always, it will be good to be together.
In faith,
Rev. Tara