Dear KUUF Community,
As the smoke clears and the rains settle in, we enter a time of year that is both familiar and unlike anything we have ever experienced before. Outside I see the gorgeous leaves changing color and scattering to the ground. I smell that reassuring scent of wet cedar trees. And I recall so many Autumns that brought me joy. It’s taking a little effort to feel that this year. With all that we are enduring at this particular moment in history, it’s much easier to watch the season change and succumb to despair and fear.
The last couple Sundays I have spent some time encouraging us to reach out to one another, to stay connected, and to harvest our blessings (even if all they amount to is one tiny tomato). I want to reiterate to you, that KUUF is here, come what may. The enormous love and care that has been put into this congregation over the years has built a strong fellowship. We have everything we need to weather this storm. We can have faith that, even if all else feels uncertain, our community remains.
So don’t forget to stay connected. Find out who is in your neighborhood group. Join a chalice circle. And reach out to our pastoral care team. If you need to get connected to any of these resources, please email me at minister@kuuf.org. I am eager to help.
In the months ahead we will be gathering on Zoom, as we have been doing almost all year. We will worship and pray and gain strength from one another. We will certainly celebrate the upcoming holidays. And we will face the upcoming election knowing that, come what may, we have been doing the difficult work of building beloved community for a long time now. Let us continue to work together and show up doing what we do best: listening to prophetic voices, calling for greater justice, and always siding with love.
As always, thank you for allowing me to serve as your minister. I am so grateful to be in community with you, now more than ever.
In faith,
Rev. Jessica