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“Beginnings often frighten us because they seem like lonely voyages into the unknown. Yet, in truth, no beginning is empty or isolated. We seem to think that beginning is setting out from a lonely point along some line of direction into the unknown. This is not the case. Shelter and energy come alive when a beginning is embraced… We are never as alone in our beginnings as it might seem at the time. A beginning is ultimately an invitation to open toward the gifts and growth that are stored up for us.” ~John O’Donohue, from A Spell Against Stagnation
Beginning, and beginning again, is an invitation to embrace not only what is possible but to discover the profuse bounty that we hold within and to explore our capacity to share this bounty with our community. Every September, we begin the new program year for the congregation. As Unitarian Universalists, we acknowledge our beginning again by celebrating Water Communion, a Homecoming service and ritual, that uses water as a metaphor to remind us that though we are many streams, we all flow together to a great ocean. The water cycle even reminds us that there is a process, a system that repeats itself for the nourishment of our planet. So, we begin and we begin again, like water. Another thing we often explore at the beginning of the program year, especially in our faith formation programs like Soul Matters, is covenant. Because Unitarian Universalism is not a creedal faith, we instead rely upon covenant, or our promises we make to one another, for how we share, support one another in our growth, and practice together what it means to be imperfect humans in a community of mutuality. Capacity is an interesting concept, one that I wish to explore in some depth this year. What is our capacity to love? What is our capacity to serve others? What is our capacity to frame our mission from a place of abundance rather than scarcity? Do we hold the capacity to dream big and then take action to make those dreams come true? Do we have the capacity to honestly reflect upon who we are, who we are and who we are called to be? Capacity and Covenant are woven together in UU spaces and require honest reflection, effort and grace. As we decide where we are going mission-ally this year, as we work to center love, let us be clear about our desire and capacity to achieve our goals. And let covenant hold us, even when we falter, to remind us of our aspirations and let that covenant of the right relationship be remembered as the well of love that moves us ever forward. You are not alone. We can do great things together. It will take all of us to make it so. In faith, Rev. Sarah
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Minister's Musings August 2026Do you have a song in your soul? Do you wake up in the morning with a hymn upon your lips? Perhaps you have a driving song that pops into your mind when you head out for the day? I have a morning song that shows up when I’m feeling weary, a song when I need some centered to start my day. “Bright morning stars are rising… Day is a-breaking in my soul…” This old Appalachian folk song is a balm to me. You can find many variations of this tune on Spotify and it also appears in the Singing the Living Tradition (grey) hymnal #357. To me, this feels like a song of lamentation and hope, a recognition of joy and sorrow. It offers a link to my ancestors, “Oh where are our dear mothers...They are sowing seeds of gladness.” The hymn helps me remember my connection to the earth and sky, filling me with wonder and awe for the mystery of life. Bright Morning Stars isn’t just a morning hymn for me, it’s a reminder that I contain multitudes and possibilities, even when I struggle to make the next move in my day.
Having simple practices like singing a song each day or writing in a journal or talking to your bestie can be just the thing to help regulate your body and give you some peace in your body and heart. Its important that we care for ourselves in this way so that we can then also keep on caring for our communities. I’d love for you to contact me to tell me about a song or story that moves you. And here’s an invitation as we gear up for the new program year at UUCO, I want to hear what moves you! Let’s discover how we can work together to bring peace and joy and justice to our lives and to the wider community. In our Unitarian Universalist congregation, everyone has a place and is needed to make our community thrive. You are important and you matter. Come make a difference at UUCO. If you want to let service be your prayer, if you want to help envision the future of UUCO and how we get there, please join me on August 8th from 10-4pm for our Leadership Development and Visioning Retreat. Lunch and snacks provided. Please RSVP to let me know you’ll be there. [email protected] It will be a fun, inspirational, and community building time for all. In faith, Rev. Sarah |
Reverend Sarah OsbornePart-time minister at UUCO Archives
August 2026
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