Friend, you are receiving this email in gratitude for your recent support of the UUA. You can update your preferences or unsubscribe at the bottom of this email.

Dear Friend, 

"I’m just a little bit out of sorts. Just a little bit, sorts are missing."

My eldest son Ben produced that chestnut one morning when he was two or three. Our family has treasured it ever since.

When my husband feels off kilter, he might still say to me, "Just a little bit, sorts are missing." And on good days I understand and I am a little bit kinder. 

He does the same for me. He brings me a cup of Bengal Spice tea or a cup of coffee with cream and sugar. Once, years ago, after a terrible day, he bought a basket of little gifts, including a brand new pair of fuzzy socks. He said, “I brought you soft things because this is hard.”

Dear friends, almost all of us are out of sorts these days. We are thinking less clearly, behaving less wisely and our patience is thinner. In the midst of it all, pay attention.

Whenever you can, be kind to one another. Be kind to the people in your family, your colleagues, the lay leaders and religious professionals in your midst, the members of your congregation. When possible, spend time with people who are kind to you.

I bring you a soft message today, dear folks, because this is hard. 

And I leave you with the words of Amelia Earhart: "A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees."

Recent news from the UUA and President Susan Frederick-Gray

• Letter to Congregations on Omicron and the Future from COVID-19 Resource Team (UUA.org, January 22)
• UUA Responds to Events at Congregation Beth Israel (UUA.org, January 19)
• Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray on Omicron, Continuing Pandemic (Facebook, January 14)

Shige Sakurai Appointed Director of Equity, Belonging, and Change

Shige Sakurai has been named as the UUA's Director of Equity, Belonging and Change. Shige succeeds Taquiena Boston in the role, who retired in December 2021 after more than two decades of service on UUA staff.

The Director is a senior executive role focused on system leadership for equity and inclusion. Located in the Office of the President, Shige will work closely with all senior elected and appointed UUA leaders to guide, coordinate, and align efforts within the Association to create an anti-oppressive, fully inclusive faith community. Says Shige,

30 Days of Love Continues through February 14

This year's 30 Days of Love runs for one more week, in which programming is focused on climate justice, and then culminates with Side with Love Sunday, held February 13. Here's a few upcoming events:

Emma's Revolution Winter Concert - Friday, February 11 | 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT

Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth and Side with Love are excited to co-sponsor a winter concert fundraiser to sustain the justice ministries of Unitarian Universalist Ministry for Earth! Register here.

Side With Love Sunday - February 13 | "What if I only had 30 days to love?" 

All Unitarian Universalist congregations are invited to participate in this annual tradition. This year, Side With Love will offer a free-use worship service featuring stirring music, deep-hearted reflection, and moving testimonies from a range of UU leaders. The service will be available for use as a whole, or as individual videos for your selected use. Available on February 4.

Faithify Launches Enhanced, Updated Crowdfunding Site

This upgrade makes Faithify an even more user-friendly platform for funding Unitarian Universalist projects. A few notable features are:

• Express checkout - Backers no longer need to create a Faithify account to contribute to a campaign
• Add an organizational profile to your Faithify account - no need to have separate accounts anymore! You can display either your personal name, your congregation/UU organization name, or BOTH!
• Backers can leave an optional "tip" during checkout to support Faithify operations, ensuring connection-centered fundraising for is available for years to come. 

These are just a few of the changes that will make Faithify easier and faster for backers and project owners alike. Make sure to check out projects active now!

Skinner House Partners with Cine-Books for Enhanced Digital Formats of Children's Books

Skinner House is thrilled to announce that it has partnered with Cine-Books to create enhanced digital formats of their children’s books. These new digital versions, complete with audio and video components, are incredible resources for online worship and programming and for personal use as well, especially for anyone looking for accessible children’s books.

By agreement between Skinner House and Cine-Books, purchasing a Cine-Books edition of a Skinner House title automatically comes with permission to stream the video, audio, or audio/video content online as part of a Unitarian Universalist community’s worship and programming.

Two children’s books are currently available—Desmond Gets Free by Matt Meyer and illustrated by Khim Fam, and Mira and the Big Story by Laura Alary and illustrated by Sue Todd—with more on the way. Explore the Skinner House Books Channel. 

Article II Study Commission Seeks Input

The Article II Study Commission is ramping up its input gathering efforts as we approach the 2022 General Assembly. 

What’s Article II? It’s the section of the UUA bylaws that serves as the home of our principles and sources, the UUA’s purposes, our inclusion clause, and our freedom of belief statement. As a living faith, we must regularly revisit the documents that guide us to be sure they match our values and commitments.

During this period of reflection, the Study Commission is connecting with Unitarian Universalists throughout the Association to hear from you about what—if any—changes to Article II might lead us boldly into the future.

You are invited to use new resources developed by the Study Commission to engage your community in this study. Then, share your reflections afterward through the Article II Individual Survey. Here are two of the resources ready to use:

Upcoming Events with the Article II Study Commission

Online Open Houses: Monday, February 28 and Monday, March 28 at 3 pm ET / 12 pm PT. The Article II Study Commission want to hear what questions you have about the process of studying—and possibly revising—Article II. Join the Study Commission to ask any questions you have about the process and how you might be involved in the work! All are welcome, and asked to register in advance at the links above.

Theological Panel Series conversations continued this spring with "A Conversation on Covenant, Part 2" held on January 27. The recording is available on Facebook. Upcoming panels are "A Conversation on Inspiration," Thursday, February 24 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT (register here); "A Conversation on Purpose," Thursday, March 24 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT (register here); and "A Conversation on Values," Friday, April 15 at 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT (register here).

To hear more from the Article II Study Commission, please visit their pages on UUA.org or on Facebook. And please do fill out the Individual Survey form. 

UUA Legacy Gifts Office is Here for Congregations, Individuals

The UUA’s Legacy Gifts Office offers a number of services, including a recent online workshop to assist congregations in creating legacy giving programs. This webinar, which will be offered again in May, covers the basics of legacy giving and how to set up a legacy giving program in your congregation. Our goal is to equip congregations with the knowledge they need to start a legacy program.

Volunteer committees do not have to know everything; they ought to focus on knowing which questions to ask and where to find resources they need. We recommend that congregations looking to start or re-vamp a legacy gifts program ensure they have an up--to-date gift acceptance policy. Committees should also think through the procedures from the initial gift solicitation to when the legacy gift is realized, often many years later.

The next legacy giving webinar for congregations will be presented on Saturday, May 12 from 1 pm to 3 pm ET. For more information and to register, please contact us at legacy@uua.org or (888) 792-5885 (select option 3).

In addition to assisting congregations in planning and connecting to one another, the UUA Legacy Gifts Office is here to help you plan your legacy gift to the UUA. We're happy to talk about a gift that meets your planning needs and will nurture our faith for years to come.

Benefits Tune-Up Month with Office of Church Staff Finances

It's Benefits Tune-up Month! Show your congregation's staff the love by ensuring that you are correctly and confidently administering UUA benefit plans.

We urge all congregations participating in any UUA benefit plans to complete the Workbook annually, as well as whenever a new congregational leader becomes a responsible party. Make it a team effort among a small group of staff and lay leaders who have benefits administration responsibilities.

Please contact the Office of Church Staff Finances with questions or concerns at comp@uua.org.

Upcoming Events

UUA Board of Trustees February Events

Open House, Tuesday, February 8, 2022 | 8 pm ET / 5 pm PT

One way the Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) Board of Trustees serves the more than 1,000+ member congregations and 148,000 UUs is through open communication and transparency in its work. To encourage open dialogue, the Board hosts monthly Open Houses. All are invited to attend and participate. Bring your comments, questions, and suggestions, and chat about the Board’s work and the issues that matter most to you. Pre-registration is required.

Board Meeting, Monday, February 14 | 7 pm ET / 4 pm PT

The Board welcomes guests to observe the Board meeting. We are glad you are here. We hope you will participate when invited. This may include during break out groups or when asked to offer information or answer questions in the chat. See the rest of the guidelines for observers and register here.

2021-2022 Taproot: National BIPOC Space, Second Thursdays

Spring dates are Feb. 10, Mar. 10, Apr. 14, May 12 | 8-9:15 pm ET / 5-6:15 pm PT

Black, Indigenous and People of Color Leaders rooted in the Unitarian Universalist congregations are invited to take part in this monthly, virtual gathering as we explore the pillars of rest and renewal, analysis building, and leadership development in creating means by which to ground ourselves in resilient communities of care. This space is explicitly for people identifying as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC). Learn more and register here.

Using Art As Advocacy: Webinar with the UU Office at the UN

Thursday, February 17 |  1-2:30 pm ET / 10-11:30 am PT

Using art as advocacy in times of chaos can build community, inspire social change, and provide healing for those impacted. Art can result in profound political progress when used as a tool by those who live or work outside the political space. This webinar will explore how art can be used as advocacy for climate justice. Guest artists will share their work and how they have joined the conversation and inspired others to get involved. Register here.

Monthly Gathering for Trans and Nonbinary UUs of All Ages

Tuesday, February 22 | 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. Learn more and register here.

Registration to Attend General Assembly 2022 Virtually Opens March 1

Remember to register for GA 2022 in Portland, OR. And if you'd like to attend virtually, you'll be able to sign up starting March 1. See the General Assembly pages on UUA.org for details.

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.