I am back from some wonderful time with family in Indiana and celebrating my wife Karen’s 60th birthday with friends–what a lovely and rejuvenating time off.
I also just came back from a week as the Minister of the UU Senior High camp at Camp deBenneville Pines. How lucky I am that this congregation sees that as part of my ministry. This year, I can tell you that I worked HARD; there were a lot of “growth opportunities” at camp, but it is also such fulfilling work that I do, supporting the youth as they run their own programming and being part of the adult staff team.
I am working this week, catching up on a bunch of things and starting our preparations for next year. Then next week, I’ll be heading to Albuquerque with Benjie Messer (who will be back from sabbatical–YEAH!) for the Association of UU Music Ministries annual meeting. I’m thrilled that we’re driving and Benjie and I will have 16 hours together in a car to catch him up on everything that has happened the last seven months.
I want to mention that this week we’ve had some big political news. I am guessing that we have a wide range of opinions on all of it in our congregation, as I do. One thing regarding my Unitarian Universalism is being aware of increased racist and misogynistic actions and words. However you vote, I hope you will speak up with your friends and family when you hear language that goes against our values. I am planning some worship services around the anxious times surrounding the election–I am hoping they will help us (myself included) cope with the myriad feelings we might have.
I’m glad to be back and excited for an amazing year with UUCP. Stay safe in this heat and know you are loved more than you know.