August 06th, 2026

Minister's Musings August 2026

Do 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