Friday, February 20, 2026
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Sunday, February 22, 2026
In Community Today
Many of us have several communities to whom we devote our energy and with whom we spend our time, from a small community of close friends or neighbors to a mid-sized community like our congregation to a large public community focused on civic engagement like the ACLU or NAACP. We will reflect on how we share wisdom across communities and build bridges to create solidarity and practice being allies and accomplices.
Worship will be led by Rev. Susan Frances with worship associate Michelle Thompson-Hay. The UCE Choir, Music Director Vickie Hellyer, and pianist Gregory Shifrin will provide our music.
Today’s offering will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU, whose mission is to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; provide support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.
Upcoming Services
March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen
March 8 – A Piece of Fertile Ground; Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood
March 15 – UUANI – Natasha Walker and Dr. Emma Farrell
Friday, February 13, 2026
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Update from Dr. Emma Farrell, Friday, February 13, 2026
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been carrying you with me across miles and moments, and I want to share a little of what I’ve been seeing, learning, and feeling.
As many of you know, I traveled to Minneapolis to participate in a public witness last month. It was bitterly cold – the kind of cold that makes your eyelashes freeze. It was also deeply clarifying. Hundreds of people showed up despite the cold and despite the short (six days) notice. We were clergy and lay leaders, people of many faiths. We stood together in the face of policies and practices that dehumanize our immigrant neighbors, putting our bodies in between them. What struck me most was not only the moral clarity of the moment, but the relational infrastructure underneath it: people knew how to mobilize because they had already practiced being in community. They trusted one another, and the showed up when they were needed. There were phone trees, shared language, shared values, shared scripts, official guidelines for engaging with news, and up-to-the minute instructions of how and where to engage in public action. It was an amazing display of mutual aid and collaboration across differences.
Not long after, I found myself in Albuquerque for the UU Minister’s Association’s Institute, gathering with UU ministers from across the country. The learning track I participated in was “Meet the Moment,” and that phrase followed us everywhere – into workshops, hallway conversations, late-night reflection. We talked honestly about the times we are in: the exhaustion, the grief, the urgency. And we practiced skills that help faith communities respond with courage and organization. We talked about how to build real community before a crisis, how to organize so we can mobilize when needed, how to narrate our values-based responses, and how to live into those values. Again and again, the message was clear: love is not just a feeling. Love is a practice. Love is preparation.
Holding these experiences together, I keep thinking about how grateful I am to be learning these lessons alongside you. This congregation understands that love shows up in concrete ways – in care for one another, in public witness, in choosing relationship over isolation. I see you already doing this work, whether you call it organizing or simply showing up for each other.
As I write this, I’m also aware that summer will bring a transition for me, and I find myself already a little tender about it. Leaving will be hard. This community has shaped me more than I can easily put into words, and I will carry you with me – your stories, your courage, your care – wherever I go next. Thank you for being part of my formation, and for continuing to meet this moment with love.
With deep gratitude,
Emma
Sunday, February 15, 2026
I’m Not Okay, You’re Not Okay, and That’s Okay
How to be not fine together, so that we can overcome what’s not okay and maybe, possibly, make it better. Rev. Eileen leads this service with Kiley Korey as Worship Associate. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer, and Gregory Shifrin on piano, and Nadav Simon on percussion offer their musical blessings. This is the first Sunday of our annual pledge drive.
Today’s offering will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU, whose mission is to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; provide support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.
Upcoming Services
February 22 – In Community Today; Rev. Susan
March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen
March 8 – A Piece of Fertile Ground; Rev. Eileen and Kathy Underwood
March 15 – UUANI – Natasha Walker and Dr. Emma Farrell
Friday, February 6, 2026
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DLFF Newsletter – February 2026
Lifelong Learnings
I have been reminded recently of an important lesson: that lifelong learning is inevitable, necessary, and sometimes painful. We grow through our willingness to engage honestly with challenges and hardships. And with grace, forgiveness, and some hard work, we can experience peace and greater trust in the midst of our struggles.
You may have seen the email about two incidents at a youth overnight last month. I want to reassure you that Rev. Eileen and I are talking and meeting with those involved as well as those who are helpful advisors to help rebuild trust, improve communication, and look at our policies and procedures with due diligence and care.
I have been reminded that, in our relationships, impact matters immensely despite our intentions. It is a lesson I am still learning. One is never too old, nor above, learning how their actions can affect others. This has brought out so many feelings in me – sadness, worry, a sense of urgency, trauma from other family and life events, among others. I’m grateful that those involved are willing to stay in relationship as we reflect and strive to do better.
As I have been processing these incidents, I have been looking at them from an even wider perspective, a societal one. I wrote in a previous column during the pandemic about an article I read, which predicted we would see the effects of the pandemic in 5-7 years. We wondered back then how the lack of connection to others outside of the family would manifest as children and youth went back to school and other activities. The same was said about adults returning to offices and jobs in the service industries. Will we navigate this transition in healthy and positive ways? Since we are now amid this period, it’s hard to know to what degree we’re being successful.
We are still figuring out how to be with one another in the world, as well as here at UCE since we reopened our doors. The current political climate has brought many new people into our sanctuary, including families with children and youth. How do we welcome them, and embrace their presence and guide them as they navigate new relationships and friendships? One way we do so is by practicing our covenantal faith. Each faith formation group creates their own covenant and decides how they will address a break in that covenant should it occur. It is the role of those of us who are adult leaders to help guide our children and youth as they practice living those covenants, understand the impacts when they are broken, and work to repair them in the ways that are possible. It is hard work that takes courage, care, and time.
And so, the lifelong learning continues. We will keep working to repair hurt feelings while taking ownership for the harm we have caused. Reconciliation and repair in relationships is the work of our faith. It is what makes the full living of our values possible. As difficult as this is, I am one to dive in and keep working on it. After all, that is what my UU values ask me to do. I’m grateful to have you as part of my lifelong learnings.
In Faith,
Kathy
Sunday, February 8, 2026
Pleasure Activism
Burnout is a predictable outcome of a culture that treats pushing past our limits as virtue. In this sermon, we’ll explore how rest, joy, creativity, and pleasure are not distractions from justice work, but are essential to its sustainability and outcomes. Drawing on science and the work of adrienne maree brown, Audre Lorde, and Tricia Hersey, we’ll consider how chronic stress narrows our thinking, and how rest and joy unlock transformative possibilities. Janelle Brittain serves as Worship Associate, with Dr. Emma Farrell. Jenn Wisegarver, soloist, and Gregory Shifrin on piano will provide our music.
Today’s offering will be shared with Black Lives of Unitarian Universalism or BLUU, whose mission is to expand the power and capacity of Black UUs within Unitarian Universalism; provide support, information, and resources for Black Unitarian Universalists; and justice-making and liberation for Black people through our faith.
Upcoming Services
February 15 – I’m Not Okay, You’re Not Okay, and That’s Okay; Rev. Eileen
February 22 – In Community Today; Rev. Susan
March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen
Friday, January 30, 2026
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Sunday, February 1, 2026
Universalism with Pluralism
We grow in our resilience when we embrace multiplicity and learn from difference. Building a better world will come from our capacity to honor each individual’s right to be who they are, while remembering our responsibility to the flourishing of the whole. This is a service for all ages, though nursery care is available in room 11. Kristee Boehm will be our Worship Associate, with Rev. Eileen leading. The UCE Choir, directed by Vickie Hellyer with Gregory Shifrin on piano will provide our music.
Upcoming Services
February 8 – Pleasure Activism; Dr. Emma Farrell
February 15 – Inhabiting Our Innate Power; Rev. Eileen
February 22 – Stories of Resilience; Rev. Susan
March 1 – God Doesn’t Give You More Than You Can Handle and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves; Rev. Eileen