Dear ones –

I hope you are staying cool this week as a mid-September summer has come to visit.

Despite the summer temps, the busyness of fall is upon us. This past Sunday our building was full of activity–voter letter writing, social connection, community care, committee meetings, land walk planning, OWL orientation– and it has been such a blessing to witness the comings and goings of so many groups doing good work here at A2U2.

Our service this week, Harvest the Power!, will invite us to consider together how (if at all) we think about our relationship to power. We’ll reflect on the difference between power OVER and power WITH, and think about how instead of allowing those with power and influence to dominate in our society, we might use the power we DO have to complicate the story and to resist. A needed reminder as November draws near.

After worship we’ll gather again to write letters to voters… using our power and voices through writing to encourage North Carolina residents to get out and VOTE this election! Much is at stake. In between worship and letter writing, I’ll be hopping onto Zoom to enjoy some conversation and connection with our Zoom folks, so if you’re attending online this week please stay on after the postlude for a chat! 

I’d also like to invite you to stay after worship on Sunday, September 29th for an All-Ages Nature Gathering. There will be more information shared in the ENews coming out tomorrow, Friday. But in short, after an eco-centric worship service, we will hold a small group reflection/discussion about the land and creation as well as guided contemplative walks of the A2U2 property. Do you know about the beloved community fort, the sacred rock, the wetlands, the sacred circle?! There is such richness to be explored here. Join us as we deepen our spiritual and physical connection with the land right here under and around us at A2U2. So save the date.

I hope to see you on Sunday!

In faith,

Rev. Tara (they/them … keep practicing!)