Dear UUCSW, May always feels nostalgic to me. Perhaps it’s all the graduations, and all the memories this time of year conjures. It’s a liminal space, spring – we can sense the promise of summer, the lush green of treetops and warmer days. But for now, the leaves are nearly yellow, bright and delicate, the … Continue reading Minister’s Letter May 2022

The benefits of community singing are numerous. Community singing nurtures the spirit and fosters a sense of connection and belonging; studies have shown that the hearts of people who sing together beat in unison! In fact, the benefits of singing in a group extend beyond the spiritual and emotional; it has been shown to lower … Continue reading Music Director’s Letter May 2022

Spring on the church calendar means preparing for the next church year. This includes figuring who will fill the various volunteer roles in the congregation. The most visible part of that is the nominating committee determining the slate of officers for us to vote on at our Annual meeting. Other committees recruit new members and determine who will … Continue reading Board Letter April 2022

Dear UUCSW, After two years of successfully avoiding it, I finally got Covid. With the lifting of mask mandates and the push to return to normal, it feels absurd, almost comically so. Truth be told, I suspect I caught it the one time we went out for dinner two weeks ago and was already sick … Continue reading Minister’s Letter April 2022

It’s OK not to be OK. We opened this month’s Board meeting with the following words of Rev. Molly Brewer: I cannot pretend, And so I will not tell you, That everything is okay right now. That there is no reason to be angry, That you must be optimistic Or at peace. I cannot pretend … Continue reading Board Letter March 2022

Dear UUCSW, Between attending a virtual conference and taking a week of study leave to re-center, February felt impossibly short. And I’m admittedly looking forward to more spring flowers and less black ice – I know mud season will come in the middle, that shift between phases and temperatures and more stable footholds.  I remember … Continue reading Minister’s Letter March 2022

A new world is waiting to be built Yesterday I was having a conversation about my 2021 COVID experience. My friend asked me what I’ve learned, what I’m bringing forward with me. I just want to erase 2021, I thought. In fact, hers was a good question. What are we bringing forward? What are you … Continue reading Board Letter February 2022

Dear UUCSW, When I moved to San Francisco I was shocked to find that spring began in February. My birthday is at the end of the month and I grew up associating this time of year with the  gray-tinged snow-sludge of southern New England, and the longing for spring flowers. So it was a delight … Continue reading Minister’s Letter February 2022

Living with Intention in a Church Community One of our big questions for this year is: “How can people be involved in activities and leadership in ways that feel life-giving and not based on obligation?” This question affects all churches and volunteer organizations because there are fewer people volunteering than there used to be. There are many … Continue reading Board Letter January 2022