This past Sunday, we joined UU congregations virtually around the country in celebrating the end of a week at General Assembly. To those who represented UUCE in the business portion, THANK YOU! I encourage those who didn’t attend to check out the website with updates on resolutions and Actions of Immediate Witness.

In the closing worship sermon by Rev. Jen Youngsun Ryu, there were several things that spoke to me and led me to deeper contemplation. I would love to hear your thoughts on what she said too, so please feel free to share.

Rev. Youngsun Ryu began by referring to Ece Temelkuran, a Turkish journalist, who said that we are grieving in future tense – that we are grieving not only what has been lost in our society, but what will be lost in the future. “Aha!” I thought to myself in realization to something I have felt quite a bit in the last few years. I am wondering if this is across generations, or is it more relatable by older, baby boomers, or perhaps by the younger, Gen Z population? My own adult children (Millennials) have a feeling of “what’s the use of trying”, which I understand and yet am frustrated to hear. They were raised with parents who have always been engaged in social justice and participated in many of these while growing up. How do I as a parent and educator, and we as a congregation, help to alleviate the pain and effect this grief has on so many?

Further into her sermon, Rev. Youngsun Ryu spoke to this by saying that we need to step back from doing all that we UUs do in our efforts to create a just world by being in a space that poet Aurora Levin Morales terms as a “gap one breath deep”. Making time and space, whether one breath or one hour. Take a moment here and just picture this. Think of those 30-second ads that come on TV with nature sounds and scenery…so refreshing they are in the midst of the others that are trying to sell something!

Rev. Youngsun Ryu continued by saying that our “gap” is made sacred by our intentions and promises and they are molded by our spiritual practices of worship, small groups, and deep study – which are all part of our faith formation. And there is the answer to my question above! By creating space and time to sit in the gap, to worship together, to share in small groups, and to learn and reflect on all that makes us human beings, we are creating a path that can lead to transformation and growth and lesson the pain and grief that we carry. These are the ways we help our children and youth too.

My last takeaway from Rev. Youngsun Ryu’s sermon connects to this as well; that when we meet like this we’re “strengthening the immune system of humanity”, a term coined by Mark Nepo. Strengthening the immune system of humanity…through worship, small group ministry, deep learning…faith formation.

There is more hope, right here.

In Faith,

Kathy

DLFF Newsletter – May 2026 

Building Joy, Building Community

It was an honor to witness the care and respect shown during the annual meeting just two weeks ago as people shared their heartfelt and vulnerable positions on whether or not to change the name of our community. I appreciated hearing the many perspectives of those who spoke. Our young people in grades 2-10 also discussed the proposed name change as and voted on the matter. Interestingly, they were almost evenly split on the issue with 5 in favor of keeping the name and 4 in favor of changing it. Perhaps this reflects the growing need for religious community in the younger generations with the pendulum swinging from mostly “non-religious but spiritual” among millennials to “religious” among Gen Z and younger people.

Change is constant, according to Heraclitus, and yet there is some consistency over time. Earlier this month on Faith Formation Sunday I recalled how we did a ritual of writing on wooden blocks about our hopes for UCE as we returned to in-person gatherings and how we would contribute to making those happen. We found that we have indeed been doing many of those things: creating a space that welcomes all, opportunities to connect across generations, and to participate as much as possible, whether that is by volunteering, getting to know others, or simply showing up to a gathering.

Looking towards the next 4-5 years, we then considered the question, “What will I do to continue building Beloved Community across generations?” Here are your responses:

There were many similarities that seemed to fall under some general themes:

Connection: to children, youth, and elderly people; getting to know newcomers; participate in activities, events, and groups such as choir

Adult Faith Formation: explore spiritual practices; interfaith relationships; covenant groups

Support: helping parents; helping each other ; volunteering in general

While not a surprise, I am encouraged that many of the suggestions were also expressed by parents this past winter when Rev. Eileen and I asked them about how we can help them build community as parents and families. It seems that we have a lot of common ground!

So, the question that comes to mind next is, “How do we go about making as many of these things happen as we can?” Let’s begin here with the more specific ideas. Take a look at these and if you are the author or if one of them makes your heart sing, drop me a quick email, call or text. If there are at least two people who would like to help one become a reality, then I will do my best to make it happen with you. 

• Game night – multigenerational (between many generations) or intergenerational (between 2 generations)
• Childcare/Parent’s Night Out – offer childcare activities for a few hours so parents can go out or gather together
• Adult Faith Formation – help gather input from adults on program ideas and support them
• Elders – listen to their stories, help with technology and other needed things
• Families – engage with young people and parents through the Family Ministry Team or at other events and gatherings
• Building and Grounds – help with gardening and creating welcoming spaces inside

Let’s continue to build joy and community this year!

In Faith,

Kathy