Midweek Message July 9, 2025

Hello FUUN community!

Happy 200th anniversary of Universalism joining Unitarianism in America! (The actual date was in May). This is important for you to know because while Unitarianism and Universalism have both been around for hundreds of years, they have both been around in our country for 200 years.  As things continue to unfold in DC, it’s important that you know that your faith community has been around, as a Church, in this country, for quite some time, and no one can take that real, actual history away.

That was one of the many things that I learned during my time with our larger faith gathered in Baltimore this year for our General Assembly (and the preceding ministry days, and Liberal Religious Educator Directors Association (LREDA) professional days, also held there).  

I was able to connect with other ministers, other UUs, other faith formers, and crowdsource ideas in person with colleagues.  While it was a bit overwhelming, it was also exhilarating, fantastic, and time well spent!  I learned a lot, and I’m so glad to bring it back here.

I spent almost all of GA with the Youth, learning what to do (and what not to do!), and I’m excited to bring those ideas to our Youth at our first gathering on 7/20/25.

I’m happy to bring Coming of Age, remolded for the modern era, back into our community this Church Year.  I’m excited for and curious about what the Southern Region Start Up for RE will look like in August - we haven’t had one here in 19 years! 

Most of all, I was thrilled to be with so many other like-minded people in the midst of turbulent times.  I’m grateful for this community here.  The values we hold together and put in action are part of what’s keeping me going during disheartening news cycles.  

Stay strong, FUUN - we have lots to do together in this 200-year-old band of Americans of varied experiences, all of which have value.

Rev. Jennifer