Members and friends, 

Blessings to you on this April Thursday. 

This past week was full to the brim and it was a delight to see so many of you over the course of it. On Saturday many of us gathered at the “Hands Off” marches in Portland and Augusta to rally in favor of democracy and our basic rights as Americans. I hope those of you who attended left feeling inspired and uplifted to see so many gathered in solidarity. And, of course, we must remember that protesting is not the work of justice itself. We gather in numbers, make noise, apply pressure, and fill our cups. Then we return to our lives to live our values and resist fascism and injustice each day in small and large ways. 

On Saturday night those of us in our 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s gathered for our Middle Generations Potluck! A new ministry of the church started by a member of our congregation. Adults connected with one another, kids ran around and worked on craft projects, babies traveled from lap to lap. It’s an ancient and sacred thing to gather and break bread together. And it’s another way we resist – we stay connected and fight off isolation, we see ourselves as stewards and caregivers of the children in our community even if we’re not parents, we swap stories about how we’re surviving these trying times while working and caregiving and taking care of ourselves. We realize the profound truth of the simple statement: We need one another. 

Sunday worship was a joy, with reflections from all 6 generations of our A2U2 community. What wisdom in the room! You all inspire me every day. There is much coming up too. On Friday our FACA (Friday Afternoon Calls for Action) group meets at church at 2pm. Saturday is a Zoom training on trauma-aware care with the LGBTQIA+ community. And Sunday a service led by your lay Worship Committee. Next week we look toward Easter and the promise of new life, even in the shadow of empire. 

Keep resisting. Lean into community. Don’t go it alone. Love is on our side. 

In faith, 

Rev. Tara