Dear Fellow Seekers,

I’ve been pondering what it means to be resilient and adaptable in the face of uncertain times.  I appreciate how UUFM members and staff have reached out and connected with one another in many new ways, over the last 6 months. There is comfort in communal belonging.  UUFM has also partnered with sister congregations, as trusted friends, to brainstorm new approaches to meeting our needs.  Collaboration strengthens our web of support.  It helps us lay down our brooding and feelings of resentment, to explore new solutions and alternatives we never before considered.  Collaboration frees us to ask, “How might we do worship and work joyfully together with others.”  Perhaps fears of “scarce resources” will give way to the reality of communal plenty when we all share our talents and each do our part.

UUFM enjoyed rich summer worship with fellow UU’s in Duluth, Northfield, Rochester, First Unitarian, Michael Servetus Unitarian Society (MSUS), and Unity as well as a special service, lovingly crafted by our own Carrie Rice.  On average, over 30 UUFM households logged on to attend our summer Zoom services.  Each Sunday we expanded our friendships, learned how our partners facilitate stewardship giving and observed how they use videos, music and story to enrich their worship.  Congratulations to Rev Rita, fellow ministers and our dedicated support teams for planning and enabling this highly successful experiment.  We are thrilled that some UUFM members tried a Zoom Worship experience for the first time.  Others connected in worship from far distant places.  We rejoice in the opportunities to hear their voices and to see their faces.

Suddenly, it’s September.  Happily, Rev. Rita is back from summer study, leading us in worship again.  I’m deeply curious about what Fall 2020 will bring to UUFM; what gifts, what burdens?   I find myself wondering what other forms of cooperation lie dormant in the wings, waiting to be recognized and embraced?  Will UUFM’s leadership and congregation be bold and open-hearted; willing to explore and experiment with these possibilities?   Or will we be so tangled in our past and lamentations that we miss our future?  I wonder how you see it?

In hope, Penny