In the middle of this month, I gathered with Senior Ministers of Large UU Churches from around the country for our annual conference. It was an opportunity for reflection, renewal, and the exchange of insights. I would like to share with you a couple of the highlights I have taken to heart and taken back with me to my work with you.

One of the highlights was meeting with our teacher for the conference, Aurora Levins Morales (www.auroralevinsmorales.com). Aurora is a Puerto Rican, Jewish, feminist writer and poet engaged in movements for social change. Her ability to imagine another world was a spiritual gift for all of us. On one hand, she is preparing for the end of the world as we know it by tending to an apocalypse garden. On the other hand, she is growing the literal and metaphorical fruits to be able to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. More than that, she hopes to be part of ushering in a world beyond this one, which more closely resembles the beloved community.

Aurora thinks of herself as a custodian of hope. She is a cultivator of hope, which she thinks of a natural resource which belongs to the commons. I have been reflecting deeply on this. What are the natural gifts each one of us can cultivate within ourselves that become a resource for our communities? Resources like hope, resilience, the ability to forge relationships – these are sources of sustenance come what may.

Another highlight was identifying the common struggles across our congregations and sharing ideas and experiences around how to navigate through these. The largest lunch table conversations were around budget shortfalls and reconfiguring staff, to address leaner budgets and to meet the ministry needs of our time. As far as these conversations, here is some of what emerged – cultivating generosity and alternative sources of revenue, funding core ministries, making strategic cuts and investments, cultivating creativity, multipurpose staff portfolios, and partnership with volunteers.

Stewardship Note: Last Sunday’s plate collection was dedicated 100% to boost the Campaign for 2024 to help us reach our goal and raise an additional $177,000 as we work on the budget for the year ahead. If you haven’t had a chance to donate to the plate, you can do so here:
www.tinyurl.com/FirstU-OneGift

A third takeaway was when one of our collective matriarchs and mentors passed away during the week of our gathering, the Rev. Janne Eller-Isaacs. We did not proceed with business as usual. We took time to allow for our grief and gratitude to flow. Janne was the longtime Co-Senior Minister at Unity Church in St. Paul, MN, a church very similar in size to our church here. She was a mentor to both Rev. Tom and to me, when I participated in the Dreaming Big collegial study group, of which Rev. Janne was our co-dean. Janne was also a member here at First Unitarian Portland after she retired. It is good and healing to remember not to gloss over loss, but to feel fully what is gone and the incredible legacy to her family and to her faith that remains.

Finally, some of the best conversations and learnings happened in the informal moments where we had a chance to catch up, listen, and share outside of the formal program. It reminds me of the times when after the service in coffee hour I get to hear from you in the form of an inspiring or humorous anecdote, a wise lesson, or how your families are doing. Our formal program – the worship and music and the learning community classes – fill us up. However, the connections and the camaraderie that follow can fill us up as well.

May you find ways to cultivate hope, to reflect creatively on what is possible for our community and the communities beyond our walls, and to find time for renewal and rest between the moments of activity in your life.

In faith,

Alison