We’ve been enjoying much celebration in the last few weeks—celebration of the results of our building and looking forward to the financial gifts to our congregation for the stewardship of the coming year. What we are saying is that we are gratified to have accomplished the completion of our facility, and we aren’t stopping now. We know there is more to do; more we have to offer, more to give to the world in which we live. It’s sometimes easy, after accomplishing a large task, to want to rest, or snooze, or just get lazy. But I don’t see that happening at Starr King Church. What I see is people who feel invigorated by what we have already done. Our welcoming values and people, our green sanctuary, our engagement with FESCO and South Hayward Parish, our desire to become more multi-culturally aware, and spiritually engaged are all currently in play. I see families with young children finding a home here, meeting and sharing with each other and bringing their questions and their confidence that Unitarian Universalism, and this congregation in particular, is a place of sanctuary and a place of justice.
We have come to a time where we must create our new vision, where in our small circles of fellowship and committee work, we must find our mission, clarify our goals. The preacher for our building dedication, Stephan Papa, told us that this work we’ve undertaken is not for the faint of heart, yet we persevered! We’ve proved we are tough people. I see that strong open heartedness as one of our greatest strengths.
I look forward to hearing your vision, of working with you to discover the role and mission of SKUUC in the larger community. I feel called to respond to the hurting of the world by providing the hospitality of our progressive voice. I am eager to build more dreams, dreams of a burgeoning religious exploration program for young and old(er), to continue to create worship that is rich, meaningful and filled with beauty, and I anticipate welcoming more individuals and families into our midst who are looking to share with us their dreams, their vision. We each carry a part of that dream and hold some of that vision. Let us discover how they come together, when we do. May the poet’s words invite us to begin that embracing view.
“To see a world in a grain of sand
And a heaven in a wild flower,
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand
And eternity in an hour.”
~William Blake

In faith, hope and love,

Katie