Greetings Beloved Community –

 

As I am writing to you as the new President of the UCE Board of Directors, I feel so humbled, honored and excited.  As I reflect on the path that got me here to you, I am amused and grateful for the Big Milestones in my life these past 50 years.

 

In 1975, when I was a six-year-old, I emigrated with my parents from South Vietnam to the United States just after the fall of Saigon.  Though I had just left most of my family and a brutal war, I can also remember being mesmerized when I saw fireflies for the first time in a refugee camp in Pennsylvania.

 

In 1985, I fell in love for the first time with a boy classmate.  It was joyous to fall in love, and scary against the background of the evening news about AIDS and Rock Hudson. Even so, and although hidden from others, our love slowly evolved and it was life affirming.

 

In 1995, in the San Francisco Bay Area, I adopted a beautiful newborn baby boy, Julian, with my previous partner.  At that time, Gay people could not participate in open adoption, but we found a wonderful birth mother who chose us to raise Julian, and a progressive judge who granted to us the privilege of being parents.

 

In 2005, I put a ring on Ned’s finger, in a field under the 4th of July fireworks. Years later we would take the next steps with domestic partnership, then civil union, then a commitment ceremony and finally, when it became legal, a federally recognized marriage.

 

In 2015, I moved to Evanston, the place of Ned’s birth, with him and Julian. We eventually found the beloved community at UCE, which has become so important to us. I feel so much gratitude to be on life’s journey with all of you.

 

In 2025, I reflect on these decades past and know that we are living in difficult times. But, being surrounded by the loving and nourishing UCE community and coming together to share time, treasures and talents with each other and with the bigger world in which we live, brings me comfort, joy and peace.

 

I wish you every summer blessing. And I hope that each of you takes time to watch the fireflies and be mesmerized.

 

With gratitude and love,

 

Hoa Voscott