I emailed the following letter out on July 4th and received beautiful responses. I share people’s response below.

Dear hearts,

I’ve heard from several of you that the state of our nation and the world weighs heavily on you. I’ve heard the word despair. I … read more.

All Kinds of Justice

The 18th century Rabbi Elijah of Vilna wrote that “What we create becomes meaningful to us only once we stop creating it and start to think about why we did so.” In addition to thinking, let’s also feel the impact of our … read more.

Renewal

As a community, we were renewed on May 4th at the Initiation of Called Ministry and Installation of Yours Truly. It was an afternoon like no other: a ritual and a party, profound and playful. Many UUFM members have told me it truly “felt like … read more.

Pluralism as play

In the picture book A Common Thirst by Gary Boelhower, a mixed group of kids and lambs playing together during a devastating drought uncover a solution that saves their communities. Though the adult goats and sheep had previously sought help from each other, … read more.

Choosing interdependence

Our Soul Matters themes this year are following the values articulated in the UUA bylaws proposal: generosity, justice, equity, pluralism (next month), transformation (last month), and this month interdependence. What’s different about March and April is that these values are not just practices but … read more.

To transform and to be transformed

What is the difference between a human being and a flower being? Flowers are born, blossom, and fade just like us. Like us, they influence the world around them and live on in the ecosystem even after they die. But … read more.

In many UU congregations, ministers of color can preach about racism no more than twice a year before they are criticized for being “hyperfocused on race.” When I heard this in seminary, I resolved to mention racism in every single sermon. It was a way … read more.

The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love — whether we call it friendship or family or romance — is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light. Gentle work. Steadfast work. Life-saving work in those moments when life and shame … read more.

On the theme of generosity, and thoughts of Gaza

In order to practice generosity – our theme this month – we have to feel abundant. As with most feelings, we don’t have 100% control. But I invite you in this moment to choose to direct your … read more.