From Rev. Allison Farnum – Sabbatical Minister for Worship

Dear beloved Unitarian Universalists,

I am so delighted to be serving in sabbatical ministry with you!  At the end of February I was honored to receive a stole from Rev. Eileen that I wear every Sunday with you. The stole is a reminder of the privilege of ministry. This particular stole is a product of the Rev. Eileen’s installation, woven with the materials that went from hand to hand in the sanctuary and infused with love from people attending online, reminding us of the tapestry of community we weave together. She gifted it to me for the time I am with you, and I have felt so welcomed by you all!  Getting to know your staff and meeting you on Sundays, holding your joys and sorrows in my heart, is such a gift.  The warmth of this congregation is palpable.  You extend it inward to yourselves as a caring congregation, as well as taking that care and concern into showing up “outside the walls.”

At our staff meeting I heard that near twenty members came to the screening and discussion of Who We Are hosted by one of our neighboring congregations, Second Baptist Church.  UCE REAL and prison ministry team members hosted the E.A.T. Reparations for the War on Drugs event as a way to learn and also show solidarity for this outstanding black-led organization that is organizing statewide to develop partnerships in reparations.  Members attended the play We Own This Now as well as celebrated Beth Emet’s 20-Year Anniversary Celebration of the Soup Kitchen.  And, we care for our inner lives and our people: Adult Faith Formation faithfuls explore meaning in Nature, our place in the cosmos, and interconnectedness. As Trans Day of Visibility approaches, our youth will be focusing on lifting up our trans siblings in love (which may, of course, include them holding themselves in love and care!).

All the while, spring is officially here. We can ground ourselves in the faith that the greening will be upon us soon. Tender and strong, new shoots will spring up, reminding us to tend what is greening and rising in us. I feel the blessing of being woven into this special time with you good, caring people. Happy Spring!

With gratitude,

Rev. Allison