I hope this month’s Curiosities and Musings finds you doing relatively well as summer’s ending is not too far in the offing and we begin to engage this month’s Soul Matters theme of “Beginnings”.
First, again, I cannot thank Reverends Jennifer and Kimberlee, The Board, the entire church staff, and so many of you for the care I received during and post my short-term medical for Ulcerative Laryngitis. My heart continues to be warm from your expressions of deep care and generosity of spirit.
I would also like to thank the many volunteers in our Pastoral Care Associates Team, Our Pastoral Care Providers Team, and our Pulpit Guest Liaison Team who continued the unwavering support needed for these ministries of First Church throughout my time away and for the entire summer. We are truly blessed by your dedication. Again, thank you.
Beginnings, what does the very word call to mind and body for you? For me, it is any number of emotions ranging from excitement, awe, what’s next, courage, and even, “not again”. What about for you? As individuals and as a sacred, religious community, what might beginnings mean as spiritual practice?
This month, with our “Ingathering”, “Water Communion” Services (both 9am and 11am beginning on September 13, 2025), and with any number of annual programs beginning anew, what might engaging these new beginnings, some of us for the very first time, and others being relative new and longtime members, how might we see things afresh as we will get back into the swing of things as the 2026 – 2027 Church Year begins?
As this is now the start of my second year as your Acting Assistant Minister, who had a truly positive, even successful year of Ministry with so many of you, I am looking forward to what this Church Year will hold.
Of particular note this fall is, many the staff here at First Church were able to attend a retreat last November with three other larger Unitarian Universalists Churches to join together fellowship and share best practices around many of the systems of larger churches. Around the programming for Membership within these churches, we came back to think through and began to plan how we might continue to enhance our First Church welcome and continue to enhance the many ways to meet the needs of more people seeking spiritual, religious community with us. To that end, we will be transitioning from our Journey to Membership (Pathways to Membership) ministry into “Seekers Sessions” starting this October. Please stay tuned to this exciting new development here at First Church.
We will also be starting up our “Shawl Ministry”, “Being UU: Being Male” group, and any number of our “Affinity Groups” that you may wish to get involved with this Church Year. If you currently lead any of our Affinity Groups, please email me so that we can plan time to connect around what may be offering this Church Year within your group: revchris.long@uumilwaukee.org
Whether you have ever thoughts of “Beginnings” as a possible spiritual practice, let’s see what we might discover, together, as this Church Year gets underway.
Sincerely and in deeper gratitude,
Rev. Chris Long
Acting Assistant Minister