As I sit on my comfortable sofa, literally wrapped in a blanket to meet the morning’s fall chill, I start this musing sending you, your family of choice, or of origin, continued hopes and blessings for more ease, comfort and grace. November 2025 has arrived, and I can hardly believe I am here as your Acting Assistant Minister for three full months already. I continue to be filled with awe, humility and deeply inspired in meeting many of you, with loads more yet to go.
It is also abundantly clear that First Church is on the move and continuing to ground itself in its mission to “nurture the spirit, engage the mind, and inspire action” with each passing day. Specifically, in my relatively short time of being here, I have been deeply moved by the level of dedication members and friends have to this church and its work in the community. From the shear amount of programming in its social justice and faith formation ministry (inside and outside of the church), to the church’s worship life which includes dynamic engagement in “love-centered” Unitarian Universalist values of generosity, equity, interdependence, transformation, pluralism and justice, and soul-stirring music each week. There is a lot going on.
Since the start of the church year in early August, our Theme Circles are all now underway, our affinity groups are also gathering, and a few more ways to get connected are still being planned. Please keep connected to our website, social media accounts and to each other to stay tuned.
By the time you read this article, we will have invited as many as 28 perspective members to consider membership with us through our fall 2025 Journey to Membership sessions in late October.
Even still, with our Soul Matter’s theme for November being “Nurturing Gratitude,” it is also true that gratitude can be hard to come by with all that is happening on the political, social and environmental fronts for so many we care for and love deeply, including our planet. Of course it is good to show gratitude as often, and as authentically as we can. However, with all that is going on, gratitude can be complicated. As we begin to ease towards the holiday (holydays) season, and the close of this calendar year, how might we also make space for gratitude when it is complicated?
Let’s continue to find ways to slow down, plan time for tea, coffee or meals together, and to add a bit of beauty and joy to our lives, and the lives of those we encounter with each passing day.
Sincerely and in deeper Unitarian Universalist faith,
Rev. Chris Long
Acting Assistant Minister