What a year this has been! All of us have experienced joys and celebrations this year as well as losses and sorrows. It has often been in community that we have been held as we rejoiced or lamented. A special shout out to our Pastoral Care Team who hosted a worship service earlier this month for those for whom the holidays are difficult. What a beautiful expression of care for our UU Avl community.
This year many of us have shared a common concern for the authoritarian direction in which our country is headed. Now more than ever, we need each other. We need spiritual practices that ground us and opportunities to resist immoral leadership that is not grounded in values that center love and thriving for all. I am grateful to be serving UU Avl in this tumultuous time that calls for people of faith to live into their values. We have a thriving Lifespan Faith Formation Program that supports spiritual deepening as well as putting our faith in action. I have deep gratitude for all the facilitators that give of their time and talent to support children, youth and adults on their spiritual journeys. We could not serve our growing community without you!
The Adult Faith Formation Team and I have three new programs in mind for 2026:
- UU History 101
- Common Read Series: Social Change Now by Deepa Iyer
- Adult OWL – Our Whole Lives
If any of these are of interest or if you have questions, please let me know. You will be hearing about these programs in the new year.
Our justice ministries are also engaging many of you. Thank you for another year (this is our 4th year!) of supporting the BeLoved Pantry. Thank you for your generosity in supporting our Community Plate partners. Each of our numerous ministries is lay-led and maintained by your participation. If you are wanting to be involved and don’t know where to start, consider reaching out to one of our team leaders or me in the new year.
As we prepare to welcome the new year and the lengthening of the days, may we all take time to slow down and find ways to show our appreciation for the people and the planet that sustain us. Whatever your practices and traditions for the winter holidays, may they be joyful and delicious. May there be time to rest, to nurture your body and spirit so that you may be re-energized and fortified for what the new year may bring.
With love,
Rev Claudia Jiménez
Minister of Faith Formation