Greetings church family!
I pray that you and yours are well these days.
Over the next month we are going to have some fun. For one thing, your Variety Show is on May 13th. This will be the first time in three years that this will be back in the sanctuary. I am grateful to Fellowship Committee for herding all the talent and bringing us together for a meal beforehand. And that’s not all! Keep a close eye on all the events and meaningful gatherings coming up this month–the weather is warming, and a renewed energy is in the air. There’s so much going on that I can barely keep track of it all!
On a personal note, I’ve been trying to return to the things I loved pre-pandemic, like spending time with fellow colleagues. A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful time co-teaching a UU Preaching class with UU Church of Lexington’s minister Rev. Claire Feingold-Thoryne, at BU’s School of Theology; this Sunday afternoon I will be offering the invocation at my dear friend Rev. Chris Jablonski’s Installation at the UU Church in Belmont; I have been invited to join a historic UU collegial study circle called the Stonehouse Group, which I will meet with from 5/15-5/17; I have been admitted to an interfaith ‘Soul of Leadership’ intensive in Boston through the Shalem Institute, which meets from 5/22-5/25; and I will close out next month by going to Pittsburgh for General Assembly!
It has felt good to say YES to these things. Being with people and doing meaningful things together is healing. The pandemic took a lot of this from us, didn’t it? There is still much collective healing work to do following a crisis of this magnitude, but I am certain that together we will get there.
The pandemic derailed many of our good rhythms and it’s understandable that some of you just can’t get back in step with us. This church misses you and wants you in our midst. Won’t you let us know what you need to make coming home easier? Let’s not stay apart from one another too long.
My spiritual companions, I am so blessed to be your minister and to walk this pilgrim’s path with you. Thank you for all the good you bring to this community and the world.
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.