Dear Unitarian Universalists of the Central East Region,

What a week it’s been. I want to let you know that your team at the Central East Region is thinking of you and sending love. There will be lots of things to consider in the future, but that’s later. Right now, I can’t sum it up better than what my colleagues in the Southern Region wrote:

These are difficult days. 

Where just moments ago there was hope, now there is grief. Where there was clarity, now there is confusion. Where there were small comforts, now there is hurt. In many ways, the results of this year's election feel like a shocking betrayal. In other ways, they feel despairingly familiar. 

Perhaps the worst part of all the news we are receiving right now is the uncertainty of it. So much COULD happen, but we don't know if it WILL happen. Even in the face of this uncertainty, a few things are for sure: 

1. You are loved. It's okay to be exactly as you are right now. You are enough. You are so very treasured. 
2. You and your Unitarian Universalist community matter. Your existence matters. Your presence matters. You are doing so much good in the world by simply continuing to exist, never giving in, never giving up. 
3. Living through yet another liminal period of time means that our nervous systems go into overdrive. It is critical now, more than ever, to pay attention to the signals our bodies are sending us as we persist in this moment. Eat well, sleep, stretch, relax your jaw and shoulders, and remember to breathe. 
4. You do not have to do anything right now. There is no rush. Reaching out, holding each other in love, and embodying the Beloved Community that we aspire to be is plenty. As Unitarian Universalists, we have a deep and abiding knowledge that the universe is build on Love, and that Love makes us strong. We need each other. We've got each other. 

As always, your primary contact is here to help you with any of your questions or concerns. We also have a growing Community Resilience Hub for post-election resources.

You don’t have to do anything right now. But you could take a deep breath and listen to the song I’m Not Alone by Aly Halpert (YouTube) that introduced our UUA post-election gathering. (There will be another UUA Forward Together gathering on November 19th.)

We love you. We’re not going anywhere.

Your CER Team.