Beloveds,
This is a picture of my office door. It is covered with some of the cards and thank you notes that I have recently received: Sympathy cards after my uncle’s passing, Thank You cards, and “just because” cards and notes. I am so grateful for all your expressions of love and support!
As I look back on this past church year, there are so many things I am grateful for! Ours is truly a shared ministry and I thank you for all the ways you have supported me and our Beloved Community’s Mission and Vision.
I couldn’t possibly include all the many ways you have blessed me this year, but here are a few that fill my heart with gratitude and hope for the future:
- Thank you for your leadership and for deepening your commitment to strengthening our congregation.
- Thank you for dedicating time and effort to develop and participate in programs that nourish your spirit and reaffirm our commitment to social justice.
- Thank you for being a Welcoming Congregation to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, 2 Spirit, Queer/Gender Non-Conforming/+ people.
- Thank you for being a sanctuary to immigrants seeking asylum.
- Thank you for your generosity and continued support to South Hayward Parish, the Gay Prom, FESCO, Citizens’ Climate Lobby, and other organizations providing much needed advocacy and services to our communities.
- Thank you for your commitment to dedicating next year to exploring and implementing effective ways to become financially healthy and sustainable.
- Thank you for being curious and brave by participating in Beloved Conversations and the White Literacy Book Discussion Group.
- Thank you for helping me create/curate worship services that are relevant, meaningful, joyful, and sources of hope and healing.
- Thank you for supporting my service to the UUA as a Dedicated Good Officer and Chaplain for TRUUsT (Transgender Religious professional UUs Together)
- Thank you for being a Green Sanctuary and collectively caring for our gardens and grounds.
- Above all, thank you for your Kindness!
This Monday I leave for GA in Spokane and then I return to the pulpit on June 30 for the Pride service celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall riots that ignited the LGBTQ Liberation Movement.
In July, I will be traveling to Boston to visit my son Erick and reconnect with friends. I am also looking forward to attending the Association of UU Musicians Conference in Denver. This year’s conference is designed to get us outside our heads; to release our inner creative energy; color outside the lines and bring a fresh approach to the sacred work we do, how we do it and why. Conference attendees will experience a paperlessdelivery system for all materials and will read repertoire by Composers of Color.
This summer’s event will also feature the first-ever Songleaders Convergence, a special track of programming focused on nurturing a deeper culture of singing in our congregations and wider community. I look forward to bringing back new ideas and songs!
I will be back on September 1st for the Labor Day service which will be led by Bob Britton. I will be back in the pulpit on September 8th for our annual In-Gathering and Water Ceremony.I hope that your Summer is filled with opportunities to refresh your spirit, renew energies, reconnect with friends and family, and do the things that make your heart sing!
With Gratitude and Love,
Rev. María Cristina
Rev. María Cristina