Read the full issue of this week’s newsletter here: The Weekly Liberal Oct. 29

In this week’s issue, Rev. Justin writes:

Every Sunday, when we gather for worship on Zoom and we move into the “Cycle of Life” time of prayer and reflection, so many of the comments that are shared in the chat box are related to our country, to the upcoming election, and to the anxiety and worry we carry as we think about the election. For many of us, it’s been hard to think about anything else. So many of us have written postcards, made financial contributions, phone banked, sent texts, and worked hard in countless other ways to get out the vote. It’s hard to believe, but regardless of who is elected, millions of people will feel certain the country is headed in the wrong direction. 

I have no doubt that election week will bring wave after wave of feeling to all of us; everything that humans can feel, I suspect we’ll feel during this week: fear, hope, worry, possibility, concern, anger, and so much more. 
During election week at First Universalist, we are committed to providing spiritual grounding and spiritual resources for our faith community, so that we can meet the moment, with clarity and compassion.

We will do this in the following ways:

On Sunday, Nov. 1, Rev. Ashley Horan will preach about democracy, hope, and trust, as we explore this current moment and what our faith offers and compels us to do in these times. She’ll be joined in the service by me and Julica Hermann de la Fuente.

On Tuesday, Nov. 3, we will hold three brief virtual services. These gatherings will focus on a spiritual practice or technique, designed to ground, center and anchor us as we move through the day. The ministers of the church will be leading these 20 minute services, which will be held at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 7 p.m. They can all be accessed here (webinar ID 883 3301 2657) at the scheduled times.

On Wednesday, Nov. 4, we’ll have ministers of the church in a Drop-In Zoom room, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., available to meet with anyone throughout the day. That evening, I will lead our Wednesday Worship at 7p.m.

On Sunday, Nov. 8, I will be sharing the message, “What Now?” and the service will include voices of congregants about how we meet this moment and the days to come. 

So much feels unknown, as I write this in the days before the election. But what is known is this: we will care for one another. We will care for our community. And no matter what happens on November 3, we will gather during the week and on Sunday, Nov. 8 to affirm our values and our core commitments, and to promise to help build the United States that have yet to be. 

In faith,
Rev. Justin