October Message from the Minister

This month I would like to simply thank everyone for the congregation’s flexibility, leadership and grace with one another as we collectively address our developmental goals. Sunday services have looked a little (or maybe a lot) different from week to week as we adjust and adapt to the needs of the world and the aims of who we want to be. That usually raises up some amount of stress and strain, and so far, I’ve only heard appreciation and curiosity. Curiosity in itself is a spiritual practice that reduces conflict. The act of trying to understand, rather than argue or compete, is a bedrock tool toward building the beloved community. I also find it energizing as a leader here; it’s a sign that we have the capacity to do what we have set out to do. And as markers along the way, we are seeing attendance rise on Sundays, activities are filling up during the week, and we’re meeting many new faces week after week. That’s much harder without curiosity, and I am grateful. This month, my sermons will be diving into Buddhist wisdom, Indigenous Teachings, and the very beginning of a preaching series on our own Unitarian Ethicist, James Luther Adams. And as a reminder, Religious Education classes for 6th grade and younger will start up again on Oct 19th.

In faith – Rev. Jude Geiger