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Friend, 

The withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan stirs up many memories:

• of participating in protests two decades ago at the launch of the war;
• of the signs in neighborhood windows that read: Our grief is not a cry for war;
• of the news in 2012 that my cousin Louis Torres had died at the tender age of 23, of wounds sustained when he encountered an improvised explosive device in Kandahar;
• of the young man who lived a few doors down, who died by suicide a year or so after returning from his second tour of duty.

I never knew my cousin Louis, but I grew up with his mother. I kept his picture in the pulpit of the church I served in Portsmouth, NH, to remind me what’s at stake in our efforts to build a more loving, just and peaceful world. I never knew my neighbor, but I did know his children. They were in school with my sons.

These memories also remind me of the importance of UU community ministers—ministers who touch lives well beyond the walls of congregations. UU chaplains serve in hospitals, prisons, and the military. They provide essential, inclusive spiritual care, often to people navigating extraordinary challenges.

Each year, a few donors designate gifts supporting the UUA’s work with military chaplains through the Military Ministry Fund. Special fundraising efforts have financed printings of Bless All Those Who Serve, a multi-faith collection of spiritual readings distributed to those serving in the Armed Forces. 

I am grateful for the chaplains who provide pastoral support, help share difficult news, and share spiritual practices. I am glad to know they will be there to meet those returning from abroad, to support the transition back. 

Your generosity touches lives in ways you may not even imagine.

Seasons of Giving will be taking a brief break in August to rest and plan for the coming year. The next issue will be in your inbox in early September.

UU Generosity Shines at General Assembly

General Assembly Business Updates, Recordings Available

Here are a few updates from this year's General Assembly, the second all-virtual (originally planned for Milwaukee, WI):

Missed GA, or simply want to re-watch it? You can check out videos of publicly-streamed events such as General Sessions, worship services, and more here.

Side with Love Consolidates UU Justice Work

Since its inception, Side with Love has articulated one of Unitarian Universalism’s most cherished values: that it is a spiritual practice to choose love over fear.

UUs are most powerful when we understand that all the issues we care most deeply about are fundamentally interlinked, and that each of us has a role to play in building a world in which all people can be free and thrive.

Moving forward, all of the UUA's justice work—including Create Climate Justice, LGBTQ+ and Gender Justice, Love Resists, and UU the Vote—will be housed under the Side with Love banner. Visit the new Side with Love Action Center to learn about current justice initiatives or watch the new SWL video.

UU the Vote Issues Final Report

Watch out for Phishing Attempts Targeting Congregations

The UUA cautions UUs to be alert to various email scams or “phishing” attempts that leverage recipients’ connections to the UUA or their local congregation. 

Congregations have reported efforts where the scammer pretends to be the minister of a congregation, requesting urgent help from a congregation member. Sometimes the sender claims to be traveling abroad or otherwise unable to access cash. 

The most recent example is an email purporting to come from UUA President Susan Frederick-Gray saying, “I have a request I need you to handle discreetly.” As is common with these types of scams, if you reply to “Susan,” “she” will request that you purchase eBay gift cards as part of a charitable initiative.

No reputable entity, not the UUA nor your individual pastor, will email or text you requesting that you purchase gift cards on their behalf. Do not reply to or engage with anyone sending such a request.

For more tips on how to recognize scams like this, see blog post from UUA IT staff Tim Byrne, Recent Phishing Scams Targeting UUs.

Masks in Church

See UUA.org for more information about masking at in-person worship services.

Text of the comic strip: 

Person #1: We're both vaccinated, why are we still wearing masks in church?

Person #2: Kids under 12 aren't. Have you ever tried getting kids to do something adults won't? (masked family with children in the background)

Person #2: Plus some folks' bodies don't produce a lot of antibodies, or can't get vaccinated. And they might not want to stand out. And it's not welcoming to ask visitors if they're vaccinated!

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.