Minister’s Message

Dear Ones,

This message is full of happy news. The outcome of the 2026 midterm elections had most UUs breathing a huge sigh of relief. Many media sources attribute the results largely to dissatisfaction with gas prices and the war with Iran. I believe many voters were also motivated by higher values of democracy and human decency: To support equal rights for immigrants, people of color, women, and trans people, who have been attacked, scapegoated, and legislated against over the past 2 years, and to end the transfer of unimaginable sums of money and power from ordinary folks to a small group of plutocrats. Some election results were not aligned with these values, reminding us that we have not yet reached the Promised Land – there is more work before us. Yet it is important to take a moment to celebrate the wins, rest, offer prayers of gratitude, and appreciate what the electorate is capable of. Soon, with joy and purpose, we will press on.

My other piece of happy news is that I have been granted Full Fellowship by the Unitarian Universalist Association! I have been in Preliminary Fellowship since May 2022. Since then, through my work here at NVUU, I have completed the UUA’s requirements for Full Fellowship. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to everyone at NVUU, especially the members of the Board of Trustees and the Committee on Shared Ministry, who graciously prepared detailed annual evaluations of my work for the UUA.

Thank you all for being part of my growth as a minister. I look forward to our continued partnership in living our UU values!

In faith,
Rev. Susan