I’m writing this on the morning after the election, holding you and me and all of us in love and care as we seek to make sense of what has happened and begin to look at what is before us.
When I began discussions with the Board about taking a sabbatical almost two years ago now, I was clear that I wanted to be back in community for the election. I am so glad to be back with you; we need each other now more than ever.
In the days, weeks and months ahead, we will be called upon to discern how we show up in this world to foster and protect the values we hold dear: democracy, pluralism, interdependence. (All of the Unitarian Universalist values can be seen here.)
In the meantime, I encourage you to take care of yourself and your communities. Democracy and building community are a long-haul endeavor that require us to stay healthy and well.
The time away on sabbatical helped me renew my health, well-being, and call to ministry. It also helped you as a congregation remember and renew your ownership and agency in our community.
May we nourish that renewal for ourselves and each other going forward.
As I moved through the sabbatical time of renewal, OUUC was present with me often. I prepared this presentation of sabbatical adventures so you can get a taste of the journey (click the image to view the rest):
