Honoring veterans, new youth programs, holiday gift ideas and more
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November 2021
Dear Friend,
One of the sweetest privileges I experience as a minister is accompanying people when someone they love has died. These times are usually touched by grief, but they are also marked by reflection on ultimate questions of meaning and connection.
Sitting in a room with a family planning a memorial, I ask: What was she most proud of? What was his biggest struggle in life?
And people respond with stories—funny stories, painful stories, true stories—of a life and its impact. There is healing in the telling. Time slows as I listen. These stories have enriched my life because they are beautiful to hear even when they are painful. I have learned so much from these conversations.
I experience this even here at the UUA. Periodically, the Stewardship and Development team receives notice that a legacy donor has died. When that happens, my colleague Miriam Coe, Legacy Gifts Administrator, shares the person’s obituary in our team’s chat tool. We get to learn about the person’s life and its impact.
I love these stories. Just last week, we received news that a person had died. The obituary Miriam shared mentioned that he was a good neighbor, a cherished member of his congregation, one of the steadfast people who shows up to do the small tasks that always need doing in a church. I learned this man was a gardener who sang while he tended his tomatoes, and could be seen picking up trash by the side of the road when he was out for a walk.
In late autumn, as the last leaves fall, it is good to pause and reflect on what our lives mean, how we want to be remembered. Often the small things matter most—the small daily acts of kindness, the dear quirks, the simplest forms of generosity.
Today and always, may you feel the meaning and the preciousness of your life, just as it is.
Thanks, as always, for all that you are, give and do.
Rev. Lauren Smith
Director of Stewardship and Development
Tell the Senate to Protect Voting Rights
The Freedom to Vote Act remains stalled in the Senate.
Side with Love's UU the Vote team is mobilizing UUs around the country to call their U.S. Senators to urge them to protect access to the ballot box by passing the Freedom to Vote Act.
Use our online tool to receive a call that will directly connect you to your Senators' offices and provide you with a short on-screen script to follow. It will take less than 3 minutes to complete.
Honoring UU Veterans and Service Members
This Veterans Day, we take a moment to honor all those who have served in the armed forces. The UU Military Ministry, as well as the Church of the Larger Fellowship's Military Ministry, provide pastoral support for UUs serving around the world.
The UUA also oversees the process for endorsement and support of military chaplains and chaplain candidates. The current roster of UU military chaplains is eleven Active Duty, three Reservists, two National Guard; three Civil Air Patrol, plus seven officially in Chaplain/Seminarian Candidate programs. An additional five work for the Veterans Administration.
Rev. David Pyle (R) receiving the MCA's Distinguished Service Award for the U.S. Army Reserve. Photo courtesy of David Pyle.
Recently the Rev. David Pyle, Regional Lead for the UUA's MidAmerica region, was honored with the 2021 Distinguished Service Award for the U.S. Army Reserve from the Military Chaplains Association of the United States. We're told this is informally called the "Military Chaplain of the Year" award--congratulations, Rev. Pyle!
Rev. Pyle was nominated for his April 2020 ministry with the Urban Augmentation Medical Task Forces in New York during their deployment to New York hospitals during the first COVID-19 surge; his work teaching Crisis Standards of Care and Bio-Medical Ethics courses for medical professionals serving in COVID-19 hot spots; and work as the Course Manager and Action Officer for a “pre-basic training” course for brand new Chaplains and Chaplain Candidates in the Army Reserves, in their first year of serving as a Chaplain.
Veterans and active duty personnel can find community, support, solace, healing, and hope through a variety of other UU resources, including publications such as Bless All Who Serve, War Zone Faith, and Soul Repair: Recovering from Moral Injury After War. The Military Ministry Toolkit for Congregations offers tools, tips and resources to support military service members and their families.
JUUst Breathe Live Debuts for Youth
Do you like podcasts? Do you like youth ministry? JUUst Breathe Live is a monthly YouTube livestream where youth ministry has a say. Hosts Shannon Harper and Eric Bliss interview youth and adults who hold a vision of liberal religious youth ministry that is both life saving and spirit living.
On November 14, Nourish: UU Dinner Church Consultants will be joining the conversation.
Recent livestreams include: "Youth Spirituality," "The Other Side of the Bridge: What Happens After Youth Group?", and "Mental Health First Aid".
This is a conversation for youth, emerging adults, and religious professionals. Invite your families and teens to this one of a kind, monthly event!
Find the livestream on Youtube and subscribe, or simply join us there on Sunday, November 14 at 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET.
Invest in our UU Faith this Giving Tuesday
We are so grateful for the generous support you and so many other UUs have provided to our UU congregations and to the UUA—especially over the last 18 months.
In the face of great uncertainty, UUs maintained, and in some cases, increased their support of Unitarian Universalism.
Our growing monthly donor program helped the UUA ride out the months-long shutdown early in the pandemic by providing a steady and reliable stream of income to fund our core programs.
This year, anyone who signs up as a monthly donor for Giving Tuesday (November 30) will have their first twelve months of monthly gifts matched by an anonymous donor. Watch your inbox for more details later in the month.
InSpirit Bookstore: Holiday Cards and Gift Guide
Consider ordering your 2021 holiday cards through the UUA's inSpirit Bookstore. With 28 designs to choose from, these cards and envelopes are printed by union workers on 100% recycled paper and the packaging is biodegradable.
You can also explore InSpirit's Holiday Gift Guide, featuring a selection of books for adults and children, as well as small gifts. Remember, due ongoing global supply chain issues November is the new December!
InSpirit is offering free standard shipping on orders of $50 or more within the U.S. from November 1 through December 5.
Faithify an Option for Congregations Seeking A/V Equipment
Is your congregation looking for new equipment for multi-platform services? Faithify is a crowdfunding site where passionate people inspire, unite, and fund Unitarian Universalist ministries.
Recently funded campaigns include a new A/V setup for the UU Church of Jackson, MS, so they could continue livestreaming their worship services with new speakers, camera, mixing board, laptop, and assorted supplies.
Check out all the current Faithify campaigns here and watch for an updated Faithify platform in mid-January 2022!
Zoom Background to Show Support for UU Youth
Show your support of UU youth by downloading this Zoom background. The design by Annie Jay is based on the the “Youth Rock” pin given out at past General Assemblies. To save the image, scroll to the top of the newsletter and hit "view in browser." Then, right click on this image and download to your computer. Here are instructions for changing your virtual Zoom background.
Upcoming Events
Taproot: A National BIPOC Space
Thursday, November 11, 6 pm - 7:30 pm PT / 9 pm - 10:30 pm ET
The work of 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's 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 through Taproot: A National BIPOC Space.
The Five Practices of Welcome Renewal Orientation (Zoom)
Monday, November 15, 11 am PT / 2 pm ET
In 2019 UUA LGBTQ Ministries launched a new Welcoming Congregations renewal program called The Five Practices of Welcome Renewal. The goal of the program is to encourage congregations to practice Welcome every year, year-round. Religious leaders and congregants are invited to join one or more of our Five Practices of Welcome Renewal Monthly Orientation sessions. Register here.
UU the Vote Skill Up: Get Involved in a Volunteer Squad
Sunday, November 21, 1 pm - 2:30 pm PT / 4 pm - 5:30 pm ET
Our UU faith calls us to be lifelong learners, and organizing traditions teach that we need to share what we know for our movements to grow. So we are kicking off Squad Skill Ups: a monthly series of trainings on organizing skills to help build our UU the Vote Volunteer Squads and help you build stronger teams in your congregation and community. This is also a chance to find out how to get more involved as a UU the Vote volunteer and meet members of the Volunteer Squads. Register here.
Monthly Zoom Gathering for Trans and Non-Binary UUs (all ages)
Tuesday, November 23, 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET
Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings focused on trans, nonbinary, and other not (completely or at all) cis UUs. 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). Gatherings focus on getting to know each other and sharing collective dreams, ideas, and talents. If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t cisgender, it’s a space for you.
COMPASS: Navigating the Paths to Liberation Together
Saturday and Sunday, December 11-12, 10 am PT / 1 pm ET
Come reflect on the theme of “interdependence” and how it guides us in our individual and communal lives. The weekend will include invigorating worship, special musical guests, and thought-provoking presentations and much more. (Yes, Rising Appalachia Trio will be there!)
Registration is now open. Learn more about Compass and register here.
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.
