We are getting ready for the launch of a New Year with anticipation and excitement growing. As Cassandra Scheffman, our Director of Family Ministries, shared last Sunday: “This will be the first time we are holding in-person September classes & multi-gen worships for our children since 2019.” This is something to celebrate! (Please check out her full announcement including a request for volunteers here:
Our upcoming Homecoming Sunday on September 11th is a community building day you will not want to miss! We are kicking off our annual spiritual theme, “Rooted in Relationship,” at the 10:30AM multigenerational worship service (in-person and online). It is also the start of our children and youth religious education program. We will hold a Teacher Dedication as a part of our worship, and immediately following the service, our parents, children, and youth are invited to come to the Religious Education Open House. Come meet your teachers and see your new classroom before 12PM. (Classes will begin on September 18 at 10:30 a.m.)
We will also be hosting a Homecoming Sunday reception immediately following the service in the Buchan Atrium with snacks, goodies, coffee, and tea. (There is indoor and outdoor space in which to socialize.) For many of you, and your children and youth, it will be a chance to reconnect and enjoy being together again. For me and my family, it will be a chance for us to meet you, maybe for the first time. We are so looking forward to it!
At 12:15PM, the festivities continue and the work for justice begins anew. Our UU the Vote Party launches in the Buchan Reception Hall and online via Zoom. We’ll hear from our siblings in faith in North Carolina with whom we are partnering for voter mobilization. We’ll get an update from Dana Buhl, our Social Justice Director, about our letter writing campaign. We’ll share words of inspiration. We’ll learn more about upcoming phone banking and letter writing opportunities. Let us all do our part to ensure progressive, anti-oppressive, and life-affirming values are promoted in the public square.
** COVID Protocol Update:
We are encouraged that everyone over six months of age can now receive a COVID vaccine. We are also encouraged by how many people in our part of the state are taking advantage of this life-saving measure. Multnomah County has the second highest vaccination rates. However, we know that the pandemic is not yet over.
We are a caring community that is mindful about one another’s health and wellbeing, as well as what the science tells us. When we are together, especially in large groups, we ask you to wear a good quality mask. We will do what we can to increase ventilation. We’ll also have masks available in case you don’t have one. After consultation with our public health team and given the high rates of vaccination, we are no longer checking for vaccination cards at the door. We continue to encourage our members and friends to get vaccinated and boosted, if you are eligible. **
May the year ahead bring inspiration and connection, learning and growth.
See you on Sunday,
Rev. Alison