My family and I found ourselves counting down the days to turn the calendar this year–it felt like a little celebration on Wednesday! It’s been a cold and shadowy winter and spring’s impending awakening sure does make me feel like a kid in a candy store. Walking by a crocus the other day had me beaming and skipping…finally, you’re here.
April’s theme is Awakening, and I am looking forward to making this my mantra all month. This need not blot out or minimize the very real state of emergency that the world is in but rather forge some balance around it–for right alongside lamentation is the green of pastures, the singing of birds, and the joy of being alive. I hope you will also find meaning in exploring this timely theme with us.
In a few weeks, I will be joining my UU Clergy Chapter on an annual retreat in New Hampshire (from 4/14–4/16) where we will learn about healthy boundaries in ministry, and worship together. I am looking forward to this renewing time and am grateful for your support in getting to do things like this.
Kyle Belmont has stepped into the role of “Assistant Minister for Faith Exploration” at FPW–his contract was renewed on April 1st and now reflects his status as a preliminary fellowshipped minister. Please note that his ordination is on May 31st and, until this time, you can still call him “Kyle.” After this, he will be referred to as “Rev. Kyle” and we will all get to enjoy seeing him wear a clergy stole on Sundays. Lucky us!
Many new friends and members are here–for the past many months we have averaged around 125-130 people on Sundays (including Zoom and children). Our church is literally, and most blessed-ly, being shaped and re-shaped amid this Great Awakening! I hope you will consider the many new gifts in our midst as you work to discern your call to leadership here. Let’s continue to share ministry with one another–reach out if you want to talk more about this.
As we all rejoice in new life emerging this spring–let us also lift up thanks for all that is our life, together. As I always say, we really do have so much to be grateful for.
With love,
Rev. Sophia
Reverend Sophia Lyons
Rev. Sophia is committed to radical welcome and spreading the good news that is our bold Unitarian Universalist faith. Some of her areas of interest include interfaith partnerships, addictions ministry, spiritual direction, and working towards collective liberation for all. Rev. Sophia aspires to live her life and fulfill her ministry guided by spiritual seeking, big love, and the seven principles of Unitarian Universalism.