Dear friends,

The anticipation I feel as we get ready to start a new congregational year on September 9 is a beautiful and worrisome thing. I wonder what will this new year hold in store for all of us? Who will we meet and be changed by? What challenges will we face and overcome? What transformation will I go through with you?  So many unknowns to ponder, wonder and yes, worry about.

Ministers, DRE’s, staff and all the committees and leaders we work with do a lot of planning before a new year begins. There are charts and calendars and coordinated efforts everywhere I look. But none of it matters unless your beautiful faces show up ready to participate.

We are ready to welcome you and ready to welcome many others who will arrive here at UUCMC for the first time.  I know we will welcome a new Caretaker, Tracy Smith, and a ministerial intern, Mark DeCourval. And I know we will welcome back all of our members and friends. But who else might we welcome?

We do not know yet. But this I do know – we make our hearts ready by opening them – wide. Feel the rusted hinges squeak, feel the flood of warmth and appreciation, feel that familiar opening once again. Welcome. Welcome to all.

Yours in faith,

Rev. Virginia