My sabbatical starts on Monday, Sept. 4!  If I won’t see you this Sunday, here is a little info and a big hug as I prepare to disappear for five whole months.  You will be in great hands with Rev. Lucy and Rosemary, our Ministerial Intern, as well as our Office, Facility, Religious Education and Music staff members.  (Note that Lucy will take a well-earned sabbatical starting when I return, in February.)

While I am away I will be unplugged from the UUSS community.  It is wise to assume I won’t see  your emails or texts or hear your voicemail messages while I’m on sabbatical.

However, Rev. Lucy and Rosemary can reach me in case of an emergency, and we will debrief before my return.  If you have a question about the congregation, you may call the Office on weekdays or contact the relevant administrative or program staff member or committee leader directly with your question.

Thank you for this gift of time you provide to UUSS ministers to rest, retreat, reflect, travel, read, write and do household chores (with a lot of catching up to do on the reading, writing and chores categories).  Regarding travel, I will visit historic Unitarian sites in Poland and current UU people in Warsaw. I’ll have some visits to Paris (France) and San Miguel de Allende (Mexico), meeting members of the UU fellowships there.  I’ll also visit Kyoto, Tokyo, and a bit more of Japan, and hope to connect with some Shinto, Buddhist and peace groups in Japan that have had a long relationships with the UUs of North America.

I will miss you!  I hope you will do your part to keep UUSS thriving as a community for all ages in carrying on our traditions of hospitality and kindness, generosity and participation, creativity and fun.  I will miss the Nov. 4 Service Auction and Dinner (The Magic of Community) as well as the Tree-trimming and Carol-singing dinner and party in December.  And I’ll miss every Sunday with you.

Please reach out to one another, including newcomers. Whether it’s a greeting you post in the chat on Zoom or a hand you extend in introducing yourself in the Welcome Hall, your efforts will make a difference.   See you in February!