It’s tempting to think of this month’s theme as one of our lighter, more pleasant ones. After all, compassion sounds…well, nice. It conjures warm feelings and tender thoughts. Images come to mind of people telling each other they are holding them in their hearts. It would seem to be all about emotional connection and empathetic … Continue reading Cultivating Compassion (October 2025)
As autumn begins, we are reminded that seasons of change invite us to release what no longer serves us and to make space for new growth. The turning leaves teach us that transformation is both beautiful and necessary. In this season, UUFM has an opportunity to recommit to a shared sense of critical hope. Critical … Continue reading October Board Update
Don’t surrender your loneliness so quickly. Let it cut more deep. Let it ferment and season you as few human or even divine ingredients can. Something missing in my heart tonight has made my eyes so soft my voice so tender my need of god absolutely clear. Daniel Ladinsky, inspired by an original piece by the … Continue reading Building Belonging (September 2025)
The start of a new fiscal year began on June 1, which marked the changing season for the UUFM Board as well. I am honored to step into the role of Board Chair for UUFM this year and to walk alongside you as siblings in this vibrant, inclusive congregation we seek to be. While our … Continue reading June Board Update
From our friends at Soul Matters: What if we could listenlike the great salmonwho goes about its ordinary lifewhen suddenly something shifts.It does not come as a thunderousrevelation, but a quiet knowingyou have been preparing allyour life to trust.The path lived until now no longersatisfies but the path aheadseems thousands of mileslong, and your womb … Continue reading The Practice of Freedom (June 2025)
Unitarian Universalists raise our kids to be imaginative. We encourage curiosity and out-of-the box thinking and we understand the value of a good story. We help fellow UUs of all ages to believe that how things are now isn’t how they must always be. But we need regular infusions of imagination juice: visioning conversations with … Continue reading Note from Pastor Isa – May 2025
From our friends at Soul Matters: “Imagination’s great gift is improvement. At least that is what we’re taught. Its deep magic lies in the way it can reshape our reality. We are urged to imagine the world we dream of. A world with more justice. More peace. More love. From that, a mysterious magnetism arises, … Continue reading The Practice of Imagination (May 2025)
The fiscal year is drawing to a close, and it’s been another year of vibrant growth and change at UUFM. We enjoyed a successful Annual meeting at which three (young!) new Board members were voted in; Bylaws were updated and consent decision-making was approved for Board meetings; and a new UUFM “LGBTQ Coming Out and … Continue reading May Board Update
From our friends at Soul Matters: “It’s easy to get tricked, taken for a ride, convinced that joy is a possession. Something to be caught, contained and controlled just by us. As if it’s a birthday present, waiting for us to unwrap it and keep forever and ever. And who can blame us, … Continue reading The Practice of Joy (April 2025)
From our friends at Soul Matters: In religious circles, talk of trust most often revolves around having faith that life will look after us. For instance, our Christian friends sing hymns about God “watching over us” and keeping “an eye on the sparrow.” Our Jewish friends lift up the Exodus story to encourage faith that … Continue reading The Practice of Trust (March 2025)
