Dear Friend, 

My husband Chris is an idea hamster. 

The other morning at breakfast, he was noodling about how to communicate about the launch of fall programming at his church. Then he got that look he gets. He tilted his head and peered at me, then shared his most recent imagining: “What if we did a video to the tune of "My Favorite Things" and folded in all the staff?” (The annual church musical just started up. This year’s offering is The Sound of Music.) 

About a week later, the church sent out a sweet, funny, no-budget video. 

The beauty in this was not the gimmick, which was fun, but the inclination to focus energy on what is alive and well and growing in the church. These are challenging times for many congregations, and for the communities in which many UU community ministers serve. There is exhaustion and anxiety among many leaders, both lay and ordained.

But there is also beauty and connection. There are experiences of purpose and peace. These are the seeds of renewal to water. 

What are your favorite things about your community right now? Not your community as it has been or might be, but what is beautiful and life-giving in just this time? 

Take time to reflect on that and to find out how those around you answer that question. In the days and months ahead, remember and nourish those things, even if they are small. In this way, we can tend our lovely and vital faith.

Thanks, as always, for all that you are, give and do,

P.S. Special thanks to all those who recently contributed to the Disaster Relief Fund or held special collections in your congregations. We have raised over $40,000 so far and have already approved grants to support communities impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Recent news from the UUA and President Susan Frederick-Gray

• Rev. Dr. Susan Frederick-Gray's Facebook post in the wake of Hurricane Ian (September 30)
• Introducing the 2022 UU the Vote Fellows: Art and Cultural Organizing (UU the Vote, September 22)
• UU the Vote Announces 12 States Focus for 2022 Election (September 7)

Disaster Relief Fund Update: Supporting Florida UUs

Thank you to the many generous people who have already made contributions to the UUA Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of Hurricane Ian. With your help, we will be able to respond to grant requests from UU congregations in affected areas. So far, we have heard from the UU Congregation of Fort Myers that their building and campus have suffered significant damage. An initial grant of $30,000 has been sent, and we expect to continue to hear from Fort Myers and other congregations as they conduct damage assessments.

The Disaster Relief Fund is a concrete, material way that we show up and support our fellow UU’s and their communities in the wake of these growing climate disasters. You can make a gift online or hold a special collection.

Community UU Church in Plano, TX, has already planned a special giving program for this Sunday's service. As member Anne Smith explains, "This fund helped out our church in the winter of 2021 when a winter storm busted some pipes and the water that flowed caused major mold problems in the building. Now it's time for us to pay it back to the churches and areas affected by Hurricane Ian!"

UU congregations can apply for a disaster relief grant using the online form on UUA.org.

Indigenous People's Day is October 10

This Monday is Indigenous People's Day. You can find many different resources for worship on WorshipWeb or the WorshipWeb app, even some full-length recorded services for use in your congregation. Indigenous People's Day themed resources include a meditation, prayers, readings, and a sermon. Below, we have a blog post from the MidAmerica Region and some recommendations from inSpirit Book and Gift Shop. (Note: UUA Offices, including inSpirit, will be closed on Monday for the holiday.) 

Listen More and Talk Less

This MidAmerica Region blog post by the Rev. Sharon K. Dittmar, Congregational Life Consultant, is their Dismantling White Supremacy Culture Resource of the Month.

After two virtual events, an in-person event was finally held this past Labor Day and I along with thousands of others made my way to Tahlequah.

I thought a lot about this visit before I went. First, I conceived of myself as a visitor and guest on the sovereign land of another nation. In the United States we all live on the stolen land of indigenous people, and Tahlequah is at the heart of the Cherokee reservation in Oklahoma. I think mindfully when I am a guest in/on someone else’s religion, culture, home, or land. I try to learn a few words of the language and I read up on the culture. I try not to assume my norms (greeting, communication, food, eye contact, etc.) are normative. It means I need to listen more and talk less. It means I need to observe longer.

inSpirit UU Book and Gift Shop Recommendations

From inSpirit: Too often, Indigenous history is treated as a finished chapter instead of relevant and ongoing. Honor Indigenous Peoples' Day this year with these recommended books that commemorate the histories and cultures of Indigenous people and encourage readers to think critically about their own understanding of the history of the United States and how this history profoundly impacts Indigenous communities today.

National Coming Out Day is October 11

In honor of National Coming Out Day, we wanted to share this recent Braver/Wiser reflection by Rev. Heather McDuffee. Braver/Wiser is a weekly message of courage and compassion for life as is; you can browse the archives or sign up here.

Be-coming Out

"Don't come out unless you want to. Don’t come out for anyone else’s sake. Don’t come out because you think society expects you to. Come out for yourself. Come out to yourself. Shout, sing it. Softly stutter. Correct those who say they knew before you did. That’s not how sexuality works, it’s yours to define."  —Dean Atta, in The Black Flamingo

I don’t quite understand why queer folx have to come out. Straight people just bring a person home and introduce them to their parents. And thanks Lady Gaga, but I wasn’t really “born this way.” I grew this way: like a bent tree, adapting to wind and water, salt and sun. Sexuality is more fluid than we thought.

I did not “come out” on my terms. I was a Christian pastor. I was married to a lovely man and we had two young children. Living my life as a lesbian felt like a poor life choice. Why would I sacrifice my image, my career, and my marriage to explore a thing that seemed immature and impulsive? And would I even like it?

UPLIFT Action: Launch Party is October 13

Join Side with Love on Thursday, October 13 at 5 pm Pacific / 8 pm Eastern for the official launch of our latest organizing campaign, UPLIFT Action!

We'll be honoring the sacred importance of bodily autonomy with several of our partners and Unitarian Universalists from around the country who are faithfully organizing for LGBTQIA+, Gender, and Reproductive Justice. Come be a part of this special event where we proclaim "Every Body is Sacred!" and celebrate the inherent worth and dignity of every person and launch ourselves into action.

United Nations Sunday Resources Available

The UU Office at the United Nations (UU@UN) invites all congregations to host a worship service each year dedicated to talking about the United Nations and the UU@UN. This year's UN Sunday theme is Displacement and Human Rights: All In for Climate Justice. 

United Nations Day is October 24, but you can host a UN Sunday in your congregation at any time throughout the year. The Resource and Worship Planning Packet (Google Doc) is available for your use, including recorded elements and Religious Education sessions.

UU@UN Director Bruce Knotts Retired September 30

Giving Through an IRA: Qualified Charitable Deduction

Did you know that people who are 70½ or older and who have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) have the option to donate to the UUA through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

Sometimes referred to as an “IRA Charitable Rollover,” a QCD can help you support the UUA's mission while maintaining tax advantages. Consider these factors (and talk with your tax and/or financial advisor) when deciding whether a QCD is right for you:

To donate via QCD, contact your IRA plan administrator and specify that you want to make an IRA Qualified Charitable Distribution to the UUA. Please notify the UUA Legacy Giving Office by phone or email. Advance notice helps us properly credit your gift if the funds will be sent directly by your IRA administrator. If you have any questions about utilizing IRA QCDs, please contact us at (888) 792-5885 (select option 3) or legacy@uua.org. 

New UU the Vote Video: Faith is an Action Word

Essentials for Lay-Led Congregations Program this Fall

Is your congregation operating without a professionally-trained minister? Your UUA Congregational Life Staff is offering a program this fall just for you: Essentials for Lay-Led Congregations.

The program includes an email subscription to a newsletter (full of helpful tips, tools, training opportunities, and other resources), and admission to the December 10, 2022 Lay Led Congregation Convergence. There you will connect with leaders from other lay-led congregations. Registration fees are on a sliding scale, based on your assessment of your ability to pay. Register by December 2.

Upcoming Events in October and Beyond

Taproot: A National BIPOC Space

Thursday, October 13 | 8 pm - 9:15 pm ET / 5 pm - 6:15 pm PT

The work of the spiritual community is complicated in the 21st century. From busy schedules to the ever pressing tension brought on by systemic injustice, the need for faithful leadership that is grounded and resilient is imperative. This is all the more true for leaders within our communities and congregations who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC). All too aware of this need, Congregational Life is excited to explore and co-create a network with congregational leaders that support them in this time in emergent ways through Taproot: A National BIPOC Space. We generally meet on the Second Thursday of the month, September through May, at 8 pm EST/ 5 pm PST. Register here to join. 

Green Sanctuary Team Meeting: Congregational Engagement on Climate Justice

Wednesday, October 19 | 8 pm - 9 pm ET / 5 pm - 6 pm PT 

Hosted by Rachel Myslivy. Come together for shared learning and mutual support with other UUs working on congregational transformation through climate justice on the third Wednesday of the month at 8PM ET. Each meeting includes a short presentation on a climate justice topic, followed by open discussion on pressing needs. Register here.

UUA Board of Trustees October Meeting

Thursday, October 20 - Saturday, October 22 | Schedule TBD

The Board of Trustees holds monthly videoconference calls (using Zoom) and four major meetings per year. Agendas, meeting packets, minutes and reports are available online. It also often hosts monthly open houses. Find details and register for this month's meeting.

UPLIFT Trans and Non-Binary Monthly Gathering

Tuesday, October 25 | 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT

Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings focused on trans, nonbinary, and other not (completely or at all) cis UUs. Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary UUs and co-create support and community across our faith. All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)! These gatherings focus on getting to know each other and on sharing our collective dreams, ideas, and talents for this space. Expansive definitions of trans, nonbinary, and UU all apply. If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t cisgender, it’s a space for you. To attend the next gathering, register today.

Seasons of Giving is the monthly e-newsletter from the UUA's Stewardship and Development Office. Questions can be directed to Suzanne Murray at development@uua.org or (617) 948-4392.

Check UUA.org and UUWorld.org, as well as UUA regional websites, for the latest updates.