Minister's Musings July 2026

​Dear UUCO Community,
I write this love letter to you all to express my heartfelt appreciation of your grace and kindness
during a difficult year. As my colleague Rev. Joanna Crawford says, our congregations are
places to “Get Good and Do Good.” I like to think that being in a covenantal community means
we practice accountability with one another, we comfort and challenge one another, we explore
healthy boundaries, and we consider and wrestle with big ideas (some might call this theology).
We are living out Unitarian Universalism when we do all these things and more.
The world has presented many challenges to us, the political arena has been troubling,
democracy and freedoms are at risk. Yet, we continue to meet the day with hope, with
determination and with love. I admire the resilience and flexibly of UUCO. When tragedy comes
our way, we know how to grieve together and support one another, especially with the loss of
Cheryl Conlee who loved us all tremendously and who was loved by so many in turn. When ice
storms wrecked properties and power outages were abundant, folks came together to support
the wider community. People opened their wallets and their doors to help. We keep learning,
over and over, we are in this one precious life together.
We have had amazing successes this year at UUCO. We held two levels of OWL classes-for
adults and 4th -6th graders. Our congregation was spotlighted in the publication The Guardian for
our work around sexuality education. We welcomed many amazing guest speakers to our
congregation. We hosted a youth group from Colorado. We held dynamic Soul Matters
Conversations for religious exploration. We increased our pledges this year to shine our lights a
little brighter. We marched in parades-Pride and Christmas. We held our ground at Fed Up
Fridays and protested brilliantly at several No Kings rallies. We shall be known by all these
efforts that demonstrate our commitment to put love at the center.
As your part-time minister, it is an honor to serve you and be accountable to our promises to
one another. While I have missed being with you on a few Sundays due to storms and
bereavement, I am glad to have joyfully represented the congregation in person in the public
square on several occasions. What I’m learning through our ministry together is “the work of
love is never done.” Thank you for your faith in me and I look forward to serving this
congregation for another year. Blessings to you all.
With love at the center,
Rev. Sarah Osborne