Minister’s Message

With the drop of a ball, some fireworks, and a toast or two, 2025 has begun. I find myself feeling some trepidation about saying a joyful “Happy New Year!” because I expect this year to be anything but happy for many people in this country who are being targeted by the incoming administration. It will be a year when all of us will need to find creative ways to support immigrants, people of color, transgender and gender queer people, low-income people, and so many others. It will be a year for putting faith into action, which, for us UUs, means putting love into action. And, as Cornel West says, “Justice is what love looks like in public.”

For many of us, love and justice start with community building. This means strengthening the bonds within existing groups, like NVUU. It also means finding commonalities and developing relationships with those who disagree with us on some issues. It means building a civic culture that allows us to respect one another enough to listen to and learn from one another. It requires us to be willing to accept a little discomfort in order to be part of the conversation.

I am delighted to say that NVUU’s Social Justice Committee is already leading the way into building a civic culture. I hope you will all attend this Sunday’s service to hear David Lindsay’s message on the topic. After that, you will want to come to the “Rebuilding Civic Culture to Strengthen Democracy” event hosted by the SJC at NVUU on Martin Luther King Day (January 20, 1:00 to 2:30 pm). This event will be open to the public – please spread the word!

Building a civic culture is a step toward the “Beloved Community” that Dr. King envisioned. Achieving it requires hard and consistent work. Yet we all need sustenance for that work – sustenance in the form of friendship, camaraderie, and joy. To that end, NVUU is also hosting a “Gathering and Games” time (January 20, 2:30 to 4:30 pm), to follow the “Rebuilding Civic Culture” event. I hope to see you there!

Friends, although the road through 2025 looks rocky from here, if we remain faithful to our values and practice love in action, I know we will find ways to make the journey safer and smoother for all those we can.

With prayers for a “Happy New Year” for all,
Rev. Susan
Thank you,
Susan