Dear Ones,

What a day, what a week, what a year it has been. Pause, beloveds, feel all you’re feeling, and exhale.

Last night, we celebrated with the activists who brought us this moment of victory and accountability that comes with the conviction of one murderous police officer. Today, our hearts continue to break following news of yesterday’s police killing of 16-year-old Ma’Khia Bryant at the hands of Columbus police. Tomorrow, we will mourn with all those who loved Daunte Wright, as his funeral is held in North Minneapolis. 

We are experiencing so much, and our identities, our life circumstances and our past victories and griefs are certainly all shaping what we know and feel. It is ok to feel however you feel today. There is no one right way to experience these joys and sorrows. The one thing we know for sure is that the journey toward accountability and justice, the recovery from racism and white supremacy culture, is a lifelong spiritual practice. We are not done. And sometimes we need to pause and rest before we can push again. 

Today, we encourage you to take tender care of yourself and those around you. Instead of our regular Wednesday worship service and the planned BIPOC caucus space afterward, at 7 p.m. Justin and Julica will be holding a space of spiritual support and companionship, where caucusing space will be available if desired. Then, at 7:30 p.m., we invite you to lean into the larger care of our Unitarian Universalist faith for a National UU Post-Verdict Vigil, hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Association, Side with Love, Black Lives of UU, and DRUUMM (with our own Rev. Karen Hutt participating). The livestream will be held on Facebook Live and Zoom at 7:30 p.m. this evening, April 21. More details are below. And tomorrow, April 22, from 6:30–7:30 p.m., join Arif and Karen in a pastoral space here as previously shared, where again caucus space will be available if desired. 

Today, we encourage you to make space to reconnect with yourself, each other, this good earth, and all that you hold holy. Now is the time to stay faithful, committed, and connected. 

With love and care,

Rev. Jen, Rev. Justin, Rev. Arif, Rev. Karen, Lauren, Jenn and Julica

Updated Schedule & Details

Wednesday, April 21 (NO regular Wednesday worship)

7 p.m. pastoral space with Rev. Justin and Julica on Zoom with BIPOC caucus space if desired. Join here (Meeting ID 995 7754 3993: Passcode: 483436)

7:30 p.m. National UU Post-Verdict Vigil on Facebook Live and Zoom. Register to join the Zoom webinar here or stream on Facebook Live here. More information is available on the Facebook Event.

Thursday, April 22

6:30–7:30 pastoral space with Rev. Karen and Rev. Arif on Zoom, with BIPOC caucus space if desired. Join here (Meeting ID: 992 9676 6337 Passcode: 034078)