Event: B2019 0621 Syngery 8:30 PM EST.
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>>  I AM RESILIENT
I TRUST THE MOVEMENT
I NEGATE THE CHAOS UPLIFT THE
NEGATIVE I?LL SHOW UP AT THE
TABLE
AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN I?LL
CLOSE MY MOUTH AND LEARN TO
LISTEN
THESE TIMES ARE POIGNANT THE
WINDS HAVE SHIFTED IT?S ALL WE
CAN DO TO STAY UPLIFTED
PIPELINES THROUGH BACKYARDS
WOLVES HOWLING OUT FRONT YEAH I
GOT MY CREW BUT TRUTH IS WHAT I
WANT REALIGNED AND ON POINT
POWER TO THE PEACEFUL, PRAYERS
TO THE WATERS WOMEN AT THE
CENTER ALL VESSELS OPEN TO GIVE
AND RECEIVE LET?S SEE THIS
SYSTEM BROUGHT DOWN TO ITS KNEES
I?M MADE OF THUNDER, I?M MADE OF
LIGHTNING I?M MADE OF DIRT, YEAR
MADE OF THE FINE THINGS MY
FATHER TAUGHT ME THAT I?M A
SPECK OF DUST AND THIS WORLD WAS
MADE FRO ME SO LET?S GO AND TRY
OUR LUCK I?VE GOT MY ROOTS DOWN
DOWN DOWN DOWN DEEP
SO WHAT ARE WE DOING HERE WHAT
HAS BEEN DONE WHAT ARE YOU GOING
TO DO ABOUT IT WHEN THE WORLD
COMES UNDONE MY VOICE FEELS TINY
AND I?M SURE SO DOES YOUR PUT US
ALL TOGETHER WE?LL MAKE A MIGHTY
ROAT
I AM RESILIENT I TRUST THE
MOVEMENT I NEGATE THE THE CHAOS
UPLIFT THE NEGATIVE I?LL SHOW UP
AT THE TABLE AGAIN AND AGAIN AND
AGAIN I?LL CLOSE MY MOUTH AND
LEARN TO LISTEN....
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  WELCOME ALL, TO THIS YEAR?S
2019 SYNERGY SERVICE!
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  WELCOME TO OUR YOUTH, WHO
MIGHT BE LOOKING AHEAD TO THEIR
OWN BRIDGING.
>>  WELCOME TO YOUNG ADULTS, WHO
REMEMBER THEIR OWN TRANSITION TO
ADULTHOOD.
>>  WELCOME, ESPECIALLY TO OUR
BRIDGERS, AND TO THOSE WHO HAVE
GATHERED TO SUPPORT AND
RECOGNIZE THEM.
>>  WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITIES,
FAMILIES AND ANCESTORS. WELCOME
TO THOSE WHO HAVE JOURNEYED
ALONGSIDE US.
>>  LET?S TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK
THE GA BAND, THE PARTICIPANTS IN
THIS WORSHIP SERVICE, AND
EVERYONE WHO HELPED MAKE IT ALL
POSSIBLE.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  WE KNOW THAT
THIS IS AN EXCITING TIME,
TRANSITIONING TO A DIFFERENT
STAGE OF LIFE CAN BE
OVERWHELMING. IN FACT, THIS
WORLD, A FRACTAL OF YOUR
EXPERIENCE AS YOUNG PEOPLE, IS
OVERWHELMING. IN THIS SERVICE WE
ARE GOING TO BEAR WITNESS TO
THAT- TO YOUR REALITIES. THIS
WORK IS HARD AND MESSY. IT IS
UNCOMFORTABLE AND WILL LIKELY
FEEL HEAVIER THAN YOU CAN BEAR
ALONE.
>>  BUT FRIENDS LOOK AROUND YOU.
OUR
FAITH HOLDS US. OUR CHAPLAINS
CAN HELP BEAR WITNESS TO YOUR
EXPERIENCES AND EMOTIONS. AND,
EVERY FACE YOU SEE IN THIS ROOM
IS A PART OF THE TAPESTRY OF
SUPPORT AND LOVE THAT SUSTAINS
US. IT IS IN COMMUNITY,
COMMUNITIES SUCH AS THIS ONE,
WHERE WE CAN BE TOGETHER TO
STRUGGLE THROUGH THE HARD TIMES
AND CELEBRATE THE JOYFUL ONES.
WHEN WE GATHER, WITH OUR WHOLE
SELVES, WE CREATE HOLY SPACE.
>>  IN THE SPIRIT OF HONORING
THOSE FOLKS WHO WE HAVE
STRUGGLED AND CELEBRATED WITH, I
WANT TO TAKE A MINUTE TO SHARE
OUR GRATITUDE FOR BART FROST.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  WHO IS DEPARTING FROM THE UA
AT THE END OF THIS MONTH.
PRACTICING FIERCE AND
UNAPOLOGETIC LEADERSHIP, BART
HAS GIFTED US WITH HIS VISION,
STRATEGY AND HEART AS THE
DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF YOUTH
AND YOUNG ADULT MINISTRIES FOR
ALMOST 5 YEARS.  HEAR THIS MAMA
BEAR, THIS COMMUNITY LOVES YOU.
WE LOVE YOUR FIRE AND THE WAY
YOU BRING YOUR WHOLE SELF, THE
WAY YOU CARRY UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALISM IN YOUR BONES AND
THE WAY YOU DRAW THE CIRCLE
WIDE.  THANK YOU, BART, FOR
GROWING AND CHANGING AND ROOTING
DOWN WITH US.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  NOT ONLY HAS BART BEEN A
PART OF THE OFFICE IN THE LAST 5
YEARS, BUT HE'S ALSO BEEN IN UU
LEADERSHIP FOR 20 YEARS.  WE'D
LIKE TO THANK AND HONOR ONE OF
THE MOST VISIONARY AND COMMITTED
LEADERS TO YOUTH MINISTRY IN OUR
ASSOCIATION AND IN OUR FAITH.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  I'M GREATLY SADDENED TO SEE
BART LEAVE THE UUA AND HOPE I
CAN EXECUTE THIS WORK.  I FIRST
MET BART WHEN I WAS IN 6TH GRADE
DURING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY
SELMA MARCH.  HE TOOK THE YOUTH
OUT FOR BROWNIES AND I GOT THE
FIRST GLANCE THAT BART FROST
BRINGS TO OUR FAITH.  HE'S
PLAYED A MENTOR IN MY LIFE AS A
UU AND BEYOND SINCE THOSE FEW
DAYS IN ALABAMA.  I'VE ALWAYS
BEEN STRESSED BY HIS POISE AND
GUIDANCE AND WILL MISS HAVING
SOMEONE IN THE UUA WHO TRULY
UNDERSTANDS ME AND MY VISION.
HIS CONTRIBUTIONS TO DEVELOPING
YOUTH LEADERS CANNOT BE
UNDERSTATED AND HIS BEHIND THE
SCENES WORK CAN OFTEN GO
UNNOTICED.  HE'S RENEWED MY
COMMITMENT TO UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALISM COMMITMENT MANY
TIMES.
>>  I MET BART MANY YEARS AGO
AFTER I WAS ACCEPTED ON GAU
STAFF.  WE MET UP AT YOUTH
MINISTRY EVENTS IN CHICAGO,
PORTLAND, BOSTON AND MORE.  BART
HAS THE UNCANNY ABILITY TO KNOW
MORE ABOUT WHAT I NEED THAN I DO
OR AT LEAST WHAT I'M WILLING TO
ADMIT.  BART, YOU TAUGHT ME TO
SAY YES WITH CLARITY AND NO WITH
STRENGTH.  YOU SHARE A PASSION
FOR THE STATE AND FOR YOUNG
PEOPLE THAT HAS ENCOURAGED
GENERATIONS OF YOUTH AND
EMERGING ADULTS TO CONTINUE THE
EFFORT OF COCREATE UNITY.  YOU
TELL US THAT EVERY CHURCH IS OUR
CHURCH AND INSIDE AND OUTSIDE
THOSE CHURCHES ARE HUNDREDS OF
PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES YOU'VE
TOUCHED.  AT THE END OF GA WE'D
LIKE TO GIVE YOU THIS JOURNAL.
IT HAS SPENT THE FIRST HALF OF
THE WEEK IN THE GA YOUTH ROOM
WHERE PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN
MESSAGES OF REMEMBRANCE AND
GRATITUDE AND WILL NOW REMAIN IN
THE YA AT GA ROOM UNTIL SUNDAY
WHEN YOU'LL GET TO TAKE IT HOME
WITH YOU.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  WE ARE ALSO GREATLY
DISAPPOINTED WITH THE UUA FOR
RESTRUCTURING THAT DID NOT
INCLUDE BART FROST WITHIN IT.
HE'S CHANGED ALL OF OUR LIVES IN
AN IRREVERSIBLE WAY AND THIS
LEAVING OUT SHOWS A DISCONNECT
BETWEEN WHAT THE INSTITUTION
BELIEVES AND THE IMPACT IT HAS
ON YOUTH.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  WHILE THIS IS A CELEBRATION
OF BART, WE CAN'T LEAVE OUT THE
FACT THAT HE LIKE MANY OTHER
YOUTH DIRECTORS WILL BE GONE TOO
SOON.  I'VE SEEN MANY OF MY ROLE
MODELS LEAVE THE UUA.  THERE'S A
BASIC LACK OF ACCOUNTABILITY TO
YOUTH WITHIN THE YOUTH OFFICE
AND WHEN SOMEONE LIKE BART
LEAVES WHO IS A CLEAR ADVOCATE
FOR YOUTH AND SEEKS THEIR DIRECT
INPUT THERE'S LITTLE TO NO
COMMUNICATION LEFT.  LIFE SPAN
ENGAGEMENT LEAVES YOUTH OUT TO
DRY WITH NO RELIANCE ON YOUTH
OPINION.  THERE'S A HURT HERE
WITH THE EXIT OF BART AND I HOPE
THE UUA RECOGNIZES THIS.  THANK
YOU SO MUCH, BART, FOR BEING
PROFESSIONAL, CONSULTING US OVER
YOUR YEARS, YOUR STRENGTH DURING
THIS PROCESS AND BEING THE ONE I
LOOK UP TO.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  WELL, THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT
UP EXPECTED.  THANK YOU FOR ALL
OF YOUR GRATITUDE AND LOVE.  AND
NOW WE'D LIKE TO INVITE
IRIS CHALK, THE GA YOUTH JUNIOR
WORSHIP COORDINATOR, TO LIGHT
OUR CHALICE.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  IN THE SPIRIT OF WONDER AND
OF BRAVERY, IN THE SPIRIT OF OUR
COMING TOGETHER, WE LIGHT THIS
CHALICE. WE LIGHT IT IN
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THE
IMPERFECTIONS OF OUR JOURNEYS,
AND OF THE WHOLENESS.
WE LIGHT IT IN AFFIRMATION OF
THE STRUGGLE AND THE SHINE, THE
SCARS AND THE SONGS. THE STORIES
WHICH TIE THEM ALL TOGETHER.
WE LIGHT THIS CHALICE TO
REMEMBER. TO REMEMBER EACH
OTHER, TO REMEMBER THOSE LOST,
TO REMEMBER THIS FAITH, TO
REMEMBER OURSELVES.
LET US BE AWAKENED BY THIS
FLAME, LET OUR SPIRITS BE
RENEWED, AND OUR COLLECTIVE
BEING UNITED.
>>  PLEASE JOIN ME IN THE
RESPONSIVE READING ?INVITATION
TO BRAVE SPACE? BY MICKY
SCOTTBEY JONES.
TOGETHER WE WILL CREATE BRAVE
SPACE BECAUSE THERE IS NO SUCH
THING AS A ?SAFE SPACE? WE EXIST
IN THE REAL WORLD   WE ALL CARRY
SCARS AND WE HAVE ALL CAUSED
WOUNDS.
IN THIS SPACE WE SEEK TO TURN
DOWN THE VOLUME OF THE OUTSIDE
WORLD, WE AMPLIFY VOICES THAT
FIGHT TO BE HEARD ELSEWHERE,
WE CALL EACH OTHER TO MORE TRUTH
AND LOVE WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO
START SOMEWHERE AND CONTINUE TO
GROW.
WE HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY TO
EXAMINE WHAT WE THINK WE KNOW.
WE WILL NOT BE PERFECT.
THIS SPACE WILL NOT BE PERFECT.
IT WILL NOT ALWAYS BE WHAT WE
WISH IT TO BE BUT IT WILL BE OUR
BRAVE SPACE TOGETHER, AND WE
WILL WORK ON IT SIDE BY SIDE.
>>  PLEASE RISE IN THE WAY YOUR
BODY AND SPIRIT ARE CALLING YOU
TO RISE AS WE SING THERE'S MORE
LOVE SOMEWHERE.

>>  MAY WE GATHER IN DEEPER
CONNECTION, HERE IN THIS SPACE
OF REMEMBRANCE, CALLING UPON
THOSE PAST EXPERIENCES WHICH
HAVE LED US TO WHERE WE ARE
TODAY.
MAY WE WELCOME IN THE PLAYFUL
MEMORIES, THE JOYFUL ONES, THE
ONES SHAPED THROUGH A PASSIONATE
CURIOSITY, A HOPEFUL VISION FOR
THE FUTURE.
MAY WE WELCOME IN THOSE MEMORIES
TOLD TO US THROUGH THE WHISPERS
OF THE ONES WE USED TO BE:
THE CHILDREN WHO DREAM, WHO
PLAY, LAUGH AND CRY, FALL, LOSE
THEIR WAY, FIND IT AGAIN.
THE CHILDREN WE USED TO BE,
THEIR EXPERIENCES NOW OUR
MEMORIES, MAY WE REMEMBER THEM
HERE.
THEY HAVE WISDOM TO OFFER US --
LISTEN CAREFULLY -- THEY HAVE
THEIR OWN SONGS TO SING AND
STORIES TO TELL, ONES WE MAY
HAVE FORGOTTEN ABOUT.
LET US GATHER WITH THEIR HOPEFUL
VOICES PRESENT.
LET US GATHER TO AFFIRM THOSE
PARTS OF OUR JOURNEYS LOST OR
FORGOTTEN.
LET US GATHER TO REMEMBER, TO
LISTEN, TO CONNECT.
>>  PUNK ROCK CHANGED MY LIFE.
IT WAS A PARACHUTE WHEN I WAS
FREE FALLING. IT WAS BEANS AND
RICE AND SPICE SOAKED KALE
BEFORE I EVEN KNEW OF KITCHEN
WITCHERY. IT WAS REASON AND
LOGIC WHEN THE WORLD OUTSIDE OF
MY HEADPHONES DIDN?T OFFER ANY.
IT WAS OPEN ARMS, INCLUSION, AND
MY VERY OWN ACTIVIST FAIRY
GODMOTHER. IT UNSETTLED THE
STATUS QUO AND WHISPERED THAT I
DIDN?T HAVE TO ACCEPT LESS THAN
HUMANE TREATMENT. THAT NO ONE
HAS TO ACCEPT ANY LESS THAN
HUMANE TREATMENT.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  IN MY EARLIEST
YEARS, LISTENING WAS BAPTISM AND
I WAS REBORN, NAMED RIOT.
MY FIRST ROCK SHOW WAS IN SECOND
GRADE WHEN MY MOTHER WAS STILL
MATCHING MY BOBBY SOCKS TO MY
BARRETTES. I SAT, CRISS CROSS,
CORNROWED, AND OVERALL CLAD, AS
MY AFTERCARE TEACHER?S BAND,
ULTRA BABY FAT, PLAYED ATOP
FADED HOPSCOTCH CHALK ON THE
CEMENT BLOCK, OUTSIDE OF MY
CLASSROOM. UBF PLAYED AND I WAS
SAVED.
THE FIRST TIME I DYED MY HAIR
WAS A LATE FRIDAY NIGHT IN A
BEST FRIEND?S BASEMENT BEDROOM.
WE PASSED TIME, UNDER PLASTIC
CAPS, TO THE SOUNDS OF THE DEAD
MILKMEN AND THE QUEERS,
PERFECTLY COLLAGED IN OUR DEATH
OF NORMALITY HAIR DYE MIXTAPE.
THAT NIGHT, WE WERE BELLY
LAUGHS, SNARLS, AND BUBBLE GUM.
WE WERE PINK AND RASPBERRY
TOPPED, AND JEWELED MIDDLED,
LIKE OVERSIZED TREASURE TROLLS.
PUNK ROCK CHANGED OUR LIVES.
THAT LONG WEEKEND, WE TOOK TO
THE WOODS AND WE SANG MOLDY
PEACHES AND PIXIES TO THE LIGHT
OF OUR SELF LIT GLAMP-FIRE THEN
STOMPED DOWN TREE LINED PATHS,
IN THRIFT STORE BOOTS, AS IF IT
WAS OUR FAMILIER CITY SIDEWALKS,
GIVING OUR HEARTS TO THE VERY
EARTH THAT WE SPRUNG FROM.
MY BRAIN IS A SLOW AND CLUNKY,
OUT OF DATE COMPUTER THAT, AS
TIME GOES ON, BECOMES LESS AND
LESS USER FRIENDLY. IT CAN ONLY
REMEMBER ONE WAY TO GET HOME
BUT CAN SOMEHOW
FROM WORK BUT SOMEHOW CAN
RECALL EVERY WORD TO BOHEMIAN
RHAPSODY. I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE?
MY EMOTIONAL MEMORY, ON THE
OTHER HAND, FLASHES ME BACK, AT
A MOMENT?S NOTICE, TO RED HOT
CHILI PEPPER ACAPELA DANCE
PARTIES WITH TEMPORARY PLATONIC
SOUL MATES, BEHIND CLOSED
ELEVATOR DOORS, AND DEFTONE
SOUNDTRACKED FIRST KISSES WITH
FIRST LOVES UNDER TWINKLE AND
BLACK LIGHTS. I?VE ALWAYS BEEN A
WRITER BUT ROCK INTRODUCED MY
FEELINGS TO A WORTHY FORMAT. I
INHERENTLY KNEW BETTER THAN TO
TRUST SOMETHING AS FAULTY AS MY
BRAIN TO STORE MY PRECIOUS
MEMORIES, SO I LEFT PIECES OF MY
SOUL, LIKE HORCRUX AND
BREADCRUMB, IN SONGS. MEMORY IS
A LIAR SO MIXTAPES BECOME BOTH
DIARY AND HOLY BOOK.
THE THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT
BEHIND CAN EASILY BE A
PARACHUTE, LONG SINCE RENDERED
USELESS, FILLING WITH AIR AS WE
EXHAUST OURSELVES BY RACING INTO
OUR FUTURE, TOWARDS THE NEXT
INCARNATION OF OURSELVES. THE
THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN LEFT
BEHIND CAN ALSO BE OUR ORIGIN
STORY. A FOUNDATION THAT IS
NEVER ERASED BUT BUILT UPON. OUR
PAST IS A COLLAGE OF SONGS. SOME
HAPPENED TO US LIKE A DANCE
PARTY TO A STRANGER?S PICK ON
THE JUKEBOX. OTHERS ARE MADE,
LIKE OFF KEY SCREAMING WHERE IS
MY MIND? IN BOTH BRIDAL SUITE
AND GYM BATHROOM OVERLAPPING
SOMEHOW IN FADED MEMORY.  AND
SOME SEEM TO
BE WRITTEN INTO YOUR VERY DNA,
LIKE THAT MOMENT WHEN YOU PUT ON
THE NEW YORK STATION, AND LISTEN
SO HARD THAT YOUR GREY WORLD
TURNS TECHNICOLOR.
THANK YOU.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  I INVITE YOU AS YOU SO FEEL
SO-CALLED AND JOIN US FOR MY
LIFE FLOWS ON IN ENDLESS SONG.
>>  MY LIFE FLOWS ON IN ENDLESS
SONG ABOVE EARTH'S LAMENTATION I
HEAR THE REAL, THOUGH FAR OFF
HYMN THAT HAILS THE NEW CREATION
ABOVE THE TUMULT AND THE STRIFE
I HEAR THE MUSIC RINGING; IT
SOUNDS AN ECHO IN MY SOUL HOW
CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
WHAT THROUGH THE TEMPEST LOUDLY
ROARS I HEAR THE TRUTH, IT
LIVETH WHAT THROUGH THE DARKNESS
ROUND ME CLOSE SONGS IN THE
NIGHT IT GIVETH NO STORM CAN
SHAKE MY INMOST CALM WHILE TO
THAT ROCK I'M CLINGING SINCE
LOVE IS LORD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
WHEN TYRANTS TREMBLE, SICK WITH
FEAR AND HEAR THEIR DEATH-KNELL
RINGING WHEN FRIENDS REJOICE
BOTH FAR AND NEAR HOW CAN I KEEP
FROM SINGING?
IN PRISON CELL AND DUNGEON VILE
OUR THOUGHTS TO THEM ARE WINGING
WHEN FRIENDS BY SHAME ARE
UNDEFILED HOW CAN I KEEP FROM
SINGING?
HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
HOW CAN I KEEP FROM SINGING?
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  MY NAME IS KATE WALKER. I AM
HONORED TO SERVE AS THE MINISTER
OF THE MT. VERNON UNITARIAN
CHURCH IN ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA.
TEN YEARS AGO I WAS HORRIFIED TO
LEARN THAT ONE OF MY YOUNG
ADULTS WAS KILLED IN A CAR
ACCIDENT ON HER WAY HOME FROM
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
KATIE TYSON, SHE GREW UP IN MY
CHURCH. SHE SERVED ON OUR BOARD,
REGULARLY ATTENDED AND WAS A
LEADER AT CONS, MENTORED YOUNGER
MEMBERS, SERVED ON THE DISTRICT
BOARD AND WENT ON TO BE A LAY
LEADER AT THE ARLINGTON STREET
CHURCH WHILE ATTENDING BOSTON
COLLEGE. KATIE HAD TWO CAREER
PATHS, ONE IN BIOSTATISTICS AND
THE OTHER AS A UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST MINISTER.  NEITHER
HAPPENED.
HER PARENTS, KAREN AND HERB
TYSON, WERE FRONT ROW MEMBERS.
THEY BOUGHT THEIR HOUSE NEXT TO
THE CHURCH IN PART, TO ENSURE
THEIR ONLY CHILD HAD A COMMUNITY
SURROUNDING HER. THEY MODELED
FOR THEIR DAUGHTER AS ENGAGED
LAY LEADERS AND GENEROUS
FINANCIAL STEWARDS. WHEN THEIR
ONLY CHILD DIED, THEY
IMMEDIATELY ENVISIONED A FUND TO
HELP UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS LIKE
KATIE.  WE STARTED THE FUND AT
MY CHURCH, AND WE SOON
APPROACHED THE UUA TO ENLARGE IT
AND ENSURE ITS LONGEVITY.
THEN TRAGEDY HIT AGAIN WHEN
KAREN DIED IN 2012 FOLLOWING
COMPLICATIONS FROM CANCER. HERB
TYSON, HAVING LOST HIS ONLY
CHILD AND HIS WIFE, TOOK TO THE
ROAD WITH HIS TALENT AS A SINGER
AND SONG WRITER, RAISING MONEY
AT UU CHURCHES FOR THE KATIE
TYSON FUND. HE BROUGHT THOSE
TALENTS TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MULTIPLE TIMES.
IN HIS HEART, KATIE AND KAREN
WERE ALWAYS WITH HIM.  WITH
TIME, HERB HEALED AND FOUND LOVE
AGAIN, BUT THEN HERB TOO DIED
LAST FALL FROM COMPLICATIONS
FROM CANCER.
THERE WAS NOTHING IN MY TRAINING
OR 20 YEARS OF MINISTRY THAT
PREPARED ME FOR THE GRIEF OF
BURYING AN ENTIRE FAMILY WHO
WERE SO DEDICATED TO OUR FAITH.
MY GRIEF IS CHANNELED INTO THE
KATIE TYSON FUND SO THAT UU
YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS HAVE
OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPLORE AND
LEARN ABOUT THEIR FAITH, AND
RECEIVE LEADERSHIP TRAINING.
THERE IS ONE THING I KNOW AS ONE
WHO WAS RAISED AS UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST THAT OUR UU YOUTH
AND YOUNG ADULTS NEED TO KNOW
THAT THIS BELOVED COMMUNITY
BELIEVES IN THEM.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  THE FUND PROVIDES
SCHOLARSHIPS TO CONFERENCES AND
PROJECTS AT GENERAL ASSEMBLY,
MEANING
MAKERS, THRIVE YOUTH AND SUMMER
SEMINARY. IT IS IN COMMUNITY AND
WITH TRAINING THAT WE RAISE OUR
YOUTH INTO THEIR FUTURE AS
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALISTS.  WITH
ENCOURAGEMENT, INVITATION AND
LOVE OUR YOUTH CAN BE LIVE INTO
THEIR UNFOLDING FUTURE.
TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, THEY NEED
OUR FINANCIAL SUPPORT. YOU CAN
GIVE BY WRITING A CHECK PAYABLE
TO THE UUA WITH SYNERGY IN THE
MEMO, YOU CAN FILL OUT YOUR
CREDIT CARD DETAILS ON A
ENVELOPE, OR FOLLOW THE
INSTRUCTIONS THAT WILL APPEAR ON
THE SCREEN FOR MOBILE GIVING IF
YOU WANT TO FEEL EXTRA COOL.
CASH IS STILL GOOD, PARTICULARLY
IF IT HAS LARGE NUMBERS ON IT.
PLEASE, PLEASE RECOGNIZE THAT
THE FUTURE OF OUR UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST, OUR FAITH LIES IN
OUR HANDS AND OUR GENEROSITY. I
WOULD LIKE TO THANK EACH OF YOU
PERSONALLY AND EXTEND MY
GRATITUDE.  PLEASE SEE ME AFTER
THE SERVICE AND I WILL GIVE YOU
ALL A HUG.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  [MUSIC]
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  [MUSIC]
>>  THANK YOU, HERB.  IT'S THE
LOVE YOU LEAVE BEHIND WHEN
YOU'RE DONE.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  MAY WE DEEPEN OUR CONNECTION
HERE AS WE ENTER INTO A SPACE OF
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, WHERE WE MEET
TO HONOR ASPECTS OF OURSELVES
OFTEN HIDDEN AWAY.
MAY WE RECOGNIZE THE TRAUMA WE
HAVE ENDURED WHICH WEIGHS ON OUR
BODIES AND HEARTS TO THIS DAY.
MAY WE GENTLY AND BRAVELY INVITE
IN OUR WOUNDS, OUR SCARS, OUR
ANGER PROCLAIMED WITH FIRE, OUR
SONGS SUNG THROUGH
GRIEF, MELODIES FORCEFULLY
CREATED BY DEEP HURT AND PAIN.
THERE IS SADNESS AND THERE IS
SORROW THROUGH ALL THIS
STRUGGLE. HERE MAY IT BE HELD IN
LOVE.
THERE IS DEEP, PROFOUND ANGER
WHERE THERE IS INJUSTICE. HERE
MAY IT BE HELD IN BREATHS OF
LIBERATION.
THERE IS A BROKENNESS TO EVERY
NEW ASPECT OF LIFE LIVED AFTER
TRAUMA. HERE MAY IT BE HELD.
FIERCELY, GENTLY, HELD.
HERE WE ACKNOWLEDGE OUR HURT.
HERE WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORLD AS
BOTH BEAUTIFUL AND BROKEN. HERE
WE ACKNOWLEDGE OURSELVES AS BOTH
BEAUTIFUL AND BROKEN.
>>  I WILL REMIND YOU THAT
TONIGHT WE GATHER IN BRAVE
SPACE, NOT SAFE SPACE, BUT TO BE
BRAVE WE MUST LEAN INTO THE
DISCOMFORT AND PAIN WE HAVE
HIDDEN FOR SO LONG. I WILL
REMIND YOU THAT TONIGHT IS BOTH
AN OCCASION FOR CELEBRATION AND
MOURNING. THERE ARE YOUTH WHO
ARE NOT HERE, BE IT BECAUSE THEY
HAVE LEFT OUR FAITH, OR THEY
HAVE BEEN TAKEN FROM THIS WORLD.
THERE ARE PARTS OF OURSELVES
WHICH ARE NOT HERE TONIGHT
BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN DAMAGED. I
REMIND YOU THAT THIS IS A BRAVE
SPACE, AND THAT TOGETHER, WE
MUST BE BRAVE TO HEAL THE WORLD.
MY LIFE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO
HAPPEN LIKE THIS. MY LIFE WAS
NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FULL OF SO
MANY QUIET MURDERS. I KNEW THIS
WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN TO
ANY OF US, BUT THIS WAS NOT
SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN TO A GIRL
LIKE ME. GIRL WITH A LOVING
MOTHER. GIRL WHO WANTED TO BE
MINISTER. GIRL WITH STRAIGHT AS
AND STRAIGHT TEETH. GIRL WHO
TAUGHT HERSELF CLUMSY GUITAR
WITH A FOLK SONG VOICE. THIS WAS
NOT SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN TO ME,
GIRL OF SECOND CHANCES, AND YET,
IT STILL DID.
YOUTH IS THE ONLY EXPERIENCE I
HAVE EVER HAD. SHE IS A BRUTAL
THIEF IN THE NIGHT. STEALS
TRINKETS OF MY STORY AND
REPLACES EACH WITH A SCAR. SHE
NEVER OPENS HER HANDS TO ASK FOR
MORE, ONLY TAKES. SHE TAKES
BODIES. TAKES BLOOD. TAKES
SECRETS THAT TWIST AND WRITHE.
NOT EVERYONE SURVIVES YOUTH, BUT
EVERYONE REMEMBERS. MY YOUTH WAS
NOTHING SPECIAL IN ITS GREAT
TERRIBLENESS. MY TRAUMA IS A
WARPED MIRROR OF MY MOTHER?S,
WHICH WAS A WARPED MIRROR OF HER
MOTHER?S: IT IS TRAUMA
COMPOUNDED OVER TIME. THE HORROR
OF MY CHILDHOOD AND YOUTH, THE
MURDERS OF MYSELF, SHOULD HAVE
NEVER HAPPENED. AND THEY STILL
DID.
I AM NOT WHO I ONCE WAS. IT
STARTED WITH THE YEAR OF
SILENCE. THE YEAR OF QUIETLY
CRYING IN THE BATHROOM. THAT
YEAR I TURNED FOURTEEN. I TURNED
FROM GIRL TO STATISTIC, JUST
LIKE SO MANY. ONE IN FOUR OF US
WILL SELF HARM. I?M JUST ONE WHO
SPOKE. YEAR OF HIDING SCISSORS
AND OLD POCKET KNIVES AROUND MY
ROOM. I HAD BEEN ASKED TO GROW
UP TOO FAST, HAD BEEN SCREAMED
AT FOR EVERY STEP I TOOK. I
THOUGHT I WOULD DIE THAT YEAR.
SAW DEATH AROUND EVERY CORNER.
FELT WATCHED IN THE NIGHT. I
CRAVED THE CONTROL OF A BLADE.
THE SUMMER I FINALLY TOLD MY
SECRET, THE SAME SUMMER MY
MOTHER CUPPED FIRE IN HER BARE
HANDS. BOTH OF US CONSUMED AND
SET ABLAZE BY OUR FAITH.
TWO YEARS LATER WAS THE YEAR OF
HUNGER. THE YEAR I TURNED
SIXTEEN. YEAR OF SEARCHING. YEAR
OF EIGHT HOUR MEETINGS THAT
ENDED IN RESIGNED SCREAMING, AS
IF WE ALL KNEW WE WERE JUST
PLAYING OUR PART. SAW THE
LIGHTNING OF FAITH STRIKE DOWN
MY BEST FRIEND WHILE I ONLY FELT
THE BLAST OF HEAT FROM ACROSS
THE TABLE. SHE HUNGERED FOR THE
CONTROL OF COUNTING CALORIES,
JUST LIKE SO MANY OF US. WE
SPENT SO MUCH TIME TOGETHER, HOW
DID I NOT NOTICE? HOW DID I NOT
NOTICE HER SHRINKING? THE CRUSTS
HANGING AROUND THE EDGES OF HER
PLATE AND HOW SHE WAS ALWAYS
COLD? THIS YEAR WAS GAINING A
NEW FAMILY AND WATCHING IT
CRUMBLE. THE SWEETNESS OF
COMMUNITY AND THE BITTERS OF
ISOLATION.
THAT WAS THE SAME YEAR THE
UNIVERSE SENT ME A BOY WITH
BLONDE HAIR AND BLUE EYES. I
THOUGHT HE COULD BE THE ANSWER
TO ALL MY PRAYERS, MY SALVATION.
HUMAN CLICH? MAY HAVE A SCORCHED
EARTH POLICY, BUT THE UNIVERSE
DOES NOT. THE BOY WIELDS ?I LOVE
YOU? LIKE A WEAPON, ?I?M SORRY?
LIKE A SWORD. HEARS MY STORIES
AND SUBTLY TELLS ME IT WAS ALL
MY FAULT. GENTLY REMINDS ME THAT
I DO NOT MATTER. PULLS ME AWAY
FROM MY DEAREST CONNECTIONS. I
DO NOT SEE THE WARNING SIGNS.
THAT SUMMER HE PROVES THAT MY
BODY IS NOT MY OWN. I PUSH THE
WORD RAPE AWAY BECAUSE I DO NOT
WANT TO BELIEVE THIS COULD
HAVE HAPPENED TO ME, BUT IT
HAPPENED ANYWAYS.
THE NEXT YEAR HE TELLS ME HE
DOES NOT KNOW WHO I AM, EXCEPT
MY FAMILY?S SINS. TELLS ME THAT
I AM A MONSTER AND THAT HE LOVES
ME IN THE SAME BREATH. I CRY SO
HARD I CAN?T FEEL THE DEAD
STUMPS OF MY HANDS; IT BECOMES
IMPERATIVE TO SEE IF MY PULSE IS
STILL RUNNING IN MY SKIN. THE
DAY OF MY RETURN, HE TRIES TO
REACH ACROSS THE VOID HE RIPPED
IN ME. HE DOESN?T UNDERSTAND WHY
I AM SO HURT. SO DAZED AND
CONFUSED. WHY I CRY WHENEVER HE
GRABS FOR ME. AFTER A WEEK OF
GASLIT COAXING, I AM BACK IN HIS
ARMS. WHEN MY BEST FRIEND ASKS
WHY I STAY, WHY I WOULD EVER
STAY, I SAY I LOVE THE
BOY. WHAT I MEAN IS THAT I AM
AFRAID THAT HE IS THE BEST I
DESERVE. I HAVE STAY. HE PROVES
AGAIN AND AGAIN THAT MY BODY IS
NOT MINE. MY RAPE IS COUNTLESS
AND PERPETUAL. ALWAYS ENDS WITH
AN APOLOGY OF ATONEMENT. AND
EVEN AFTER ALL THIS, I STILL CRY
WHEN HE LEAVES.
THE SUMMER THAT HE LEAVES IS THE
SUMMER OF SEAS. OF ENDLESS
TEARS. I LOSE WEIGHT LIKE WATER.
I SURVIVE ON COFFEE AND PLAIN
PASTA. ANYTHING ELSE FEELS DEAD
IN MY MOUTH. MY MOTHER OFFERS
NOTHING, SHE KNOWS THIS PAIN. I
AM SILENT; I ALWAYS HAVE WORDS
AND NOW I DO NOT. I WRITE MILES
ANYWAYS. WRITE DOWN EVERYTHING
EXCEPT FOR THE REAL EXPERIENCE.
ONLY DESCRIBE THE AFTER. ONLY
DESCRIBE THE ABSENCE OF HIM. OR
THE ABSENCE OF MYSELF. SLOWLY, I
STOP CRYING FOR HIM. STARTING
CRYING FOR MYSELF. I GRIEVE THE
MURDER OF THE GIRL I USED TO BE.
HER HANDS WERE ALWAYS OPEN TO
THE POSSIBILITY OF LOVE, MINE
ARE ALWAYS CLOSED AND COLD. I
KNOW THAT I HAVE DIED, BUT NO
ONE ELSE AROUND ME SEES IT. THEY
COME TO MY FUNERAL AND
CONGRATULATE ME ON SURVIVING,
NOT SEEING THE BLOOD, NOT
KNOWING EVEN WHEN I SEND A
MESSAGE FROM BEYOND THE GRAVE. I
HOLD MY OWN SEANCE TO FIND MY
VOICE, IT IS BROKEN AND CHOKED.
I AM NOT WHO I USED TO BE; I AM
DEAD, I AM THE GHOST OF SOME
GIRL WHO USED TO BE ME.
I HAVE LOST SO MUCH TO THIS
HANDFUL OF YEARS. THESE FOUR
IMPOSSIBLE YEARS SHOULD HAVE
KILLED ME, ALMOST KILLED ME.
YOUTH HAS STOLEN SO MUCH FROM
ME, FINGERS STICKY WITH BLOOD.
SHE HAS STOLEN FROM MY FRIENDS.
WHOLE SUMMERS, AND WINTERS, GONE
TO CRYING. WHOLE YEARS TAKEN BY
DEPRESSION, ANXIETY. BEING A
YOUNG PERSON IN THIS CLIMATE HAS
TAKEN SO MUCH FROM ME, HAS
QUIETLY KILLED SO MUCH OF MY
SOUL. I FEAR NOTHING NOW,
BECAUSE I KNOW WHAT I HAVE
SURVIVED. KNOW THAT I HAVE
RETURNED FROM WHAT SHOULD HAVE
KILLED ME. KNOW I WILL DO IT
AGAIN.
BECAUSE WE ARE STILL HERE. I AM
STILL HERE. THIS WAS NEVER
SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN TO A GIRL
LIKE ME. WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO
HAPPEN TO ANY OF US. MY LIFE WAS
NEVER SUPPOSED TO UNFOLD WITH SO
MANY QUIET MURDERS. I GRIEVE THE
MURDER OF THE GIRL I USED TO BE.
FOR THE CHILDREN WE USED TO BE.
BUT AS I AM MOURNING, I AM ALSO
ENGULFED IN RAGE AND THE POWER
OF JUSTICE. THIS WORLD HAS TRIED
TO EXTINGUISH US, HAS TRIED TO
PARALYZE US WITH FEAR AND IT HAS
NOT WORKED. OUR EVERY STEP IS
A REBELLION. THIS WORLD TRIED TO
KILL ME AND I LIVE. THIS
CULTURE, THIS COUNTRY, THESE
WAYS OF BEING HAVE TRIED TO KILL
US, THE UPRISING. WE NAME OUR
ABUSERS, WE NAME WHAT HAS HURT
US AND WE MARCH FORTH TO BRING
JUSTICE. THIS WAS NEVER SUPPOSED
TO HAPPEN, BUT IT DID. WE RISE
FROM THE CREMATION OF OURSELVES
AND CALL FOR WHAT IS GOOD AND
TRUE.
AND I DO NOT ACCEPT THAT THIS
TRAUMA HAD TO HAPPEN. THERE IS A
REVOLUTION IF WE ARE BRAVE
ENOUGH TO CALL FOR IT. THERE IS
A NEW WORLD IF WE WILL BUILD IT.
THERE IS HEALING EVEN IF THERE
IS NO TRUE HEALING FOR A PAIN
LIKE THIS, NO KNITTING THE WOUND
BACK TO PERFECT FLESH. THERE IS
NO WAY TO BRING BACK THE DEAD,
BUT WHATEVER WE ARE NOW, WE ARE
HERE. WE SURVIVED YESTERDAY AND
ALL THE YEARS BEFORE THAT. I
HAVE NO HOPE OF SURVIVING
TOMORROW, EXCEPT FOR THAT I HAVE
DONE IT BEFORE. I DO NOT HOPE, I
KNOW. I KNOW THIS ROSE WILL
OPEN. I KNOW MY SOUL WILL SPREAD
ITS WINGS, NOT WHOLE BUT
HEALING.
BECAUSE I AM STILL HERE, GIRL OF
SECOND CHANCES. GIRL OF
SURVIVAL, OF WALKING THROUGH
FLAME AND FIRE. AND EVEN AFTER
MY DEATH, I RISE.
>>  [APPLAUSE]

>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  DEAR
FRIENDS-COMRADES-CO-CONSPIRATOR,
YOU HAVE CROSSED RIVERS AND
TRAVERSED MOUNTAINS TO BE HERE.
YOU HAVE TRAVELED UNIMAGINABLE
DISTANCES TO BE HERE, SIDE BY
SIDE THIS WEEK AND TONIGHT.
SIX YEARS AND A HANDFUL OF
MONTHS AGO, YOU ARRIVED AT THAT
SEEMINGLY UNCROSSABLE OCEAN OF
YOUTH AND STARTED THIS JOURNEY.
SOME OF YOU JOINED THE VOYAGE
LATER, PLUCKED OFF OF ISLANDS
AND WELCOMED OPENLY.  SOME OF
YOU LEFT EARLY AND CHOSE A NEW
HOME AND SETTLED INTO NEW SANDS.
YOU GATHERED MEMORIES AND
RELATIONSHIPS LIKE PRECIOUS
SHELLS, EACH ONE OF THEM TELLING
A STORY IF YOU LISTEN.  YOU
FOUND COMMUNITY AMONGST EACH
OTHER AND THE WAVES, EVEN AS THE
WATER
PERPETUALLY ROLLED AND CHANGED
UNDERNEATH YOU. AND IT WAS HOME,
AND SOMETIMES IT WAS GOOD, AND
SOMETIMES IT WAS BAD.
BUT THE OCEAN ALWAYS TAKES
TRIBUTE. THE OCEAN?S ABILITY TO
REMEMBER YET NOT CLENCH WILL
ALWAYS ASTOUND ME. YOU ARE NOT
WHO YOU ONCE WERE. YOU ARE NOT
THOSE CHILDREN WHO SET OUT ON AN
ADVENTURE. SOME OF YOU MADE IT
ACROSS THAT GREAT AND TERRIBLE
OCEAN, AND SOME OF YOU DID NOT.
BUT HERE YOU ARE, AT THE EDGE OF
THE SEA. FINALLY AT THE SHORE.
FINALLY AT THE BRIDGE FROM SEA
TO SKY, HORIZON.  YOU HAVE
CROSSED SUCH DISTANCE THAT IT
CAN ONLY BE DESCRIBED AS TIME,
AS MEMORY. AND TONIGHT, YOU
CROSS THE BRIDGE TO CONTINUE
YOUR JOURNEY FROM YOUTH TO
ADULT.  AND IT IS NO SHORT OF A
MIRACLE.  IT
IS A WONDERMENT THAT YOU HAVE
ARRIVED, IT IS A TESTAMENT TO
YOUR STRENGTH. TO THE ANCESTORS.
TO THE POWER OF COMMUNITIES YOU
HAVE HAVE BUILT, AND TO THE
POWER DEEP WITHIN YOUR OWN
SOULS. YOU CROSS THIS BRIDGE,
AND WE JOIN YOU IN DEEP
OVERWHELM AND THE RELIEF OF
LIVING.
AND IN THAT SAME JOY, THAT SAME
WONDERMENT AND AWE, YOU GRIEVE
DEEPLY AND UNFATHOMABLY. SOME OF
YOU MADE IT ACROSS THAT GREAT
AND TERRIBLE OCEAN, AND SOME OF
YOU DID NOT. SOME PARTS OF YOU
MADE IT ACROSS THAT GREAT AND
TERRIBLE OCEAN, AND SOME PARTS
OF YOU DID NOT. THE ONLY THING
LEFT TO DO IS TO HONOR WHAT WAS
LOST, WHAT WAS TAKEN TOO EARLY,
WHAT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN
TAKEN AWAY AT ALL. ALL WE CAN DO
IS NAME WHAT WE CAN NAME AND
RAISE UP A NEW LAND OF JUSTICE.
SO AS YOU BRIDGE, DROP YOUR
STONE INTO THE OCEAN, REMEMBER
WHAT HAS BEEN TAKEN AND WHAT YOU
HAVE GAINED. GRIEVE AS YOU MAY
AND HONOR AS YOU MUST. AND AS
YOU CROSS THIS BRIDGE, CELEBRATE
YOUR BEING HERE. YOUR JOURNEY
WAS A LONG AND PERILOUS ONE, AND
HERE YOU ARE ANYWAYS. YOU HAVE
BEEN LOST, AND FOUND YOURSELF
OVER AND OVER AGAIN. THE SHELLS
AND STONES WHISPER THE STORY OF
YOU, OF US. YOUR STORIES ARE
TWISTED, ARE JOY AND PAIN, ARE
SWEETNESS AND SORROW, ARE
CELEBRATION AND GRIEF, ALL IN
THE SAME BREATH. ALL IN THE SAME
OCEAN.
LEAVE YOUR GRIEF, LAY YOUR
BURDEN DOWN. PICK UP YOUR STORY,
YOUR BLESSING. CELEBRATE THE
MIRACLE OF YOURSELF. WE HONOR
THIS MOMENT, THIS SPLIT SECOND
IN TIME. AND WE WORK TOWARDS OUR
FUTURE, BRINGING EVERY STORY OF
OUR LIVES, THE JOURNEY NEVER
OVER. THE STORY NEVER CEASING.
WE INVITE YOU NOW, TO DROP THE
STONE, TO CROSS THE THRESHOLD
AND TO NAME YOURSELF.
>>  UNITARIAN UNIVERSAL CHURCH
OF RESNO.
>>  RYLAN WATER, HIGH PLAIN
SPRINGS, COLORADO.
>>  CHRISTIE CARRIER, SALT WATER
UU CHURCH, DES MOINES,
WASHINGTON.
>>  HANNAH LIVINGSTON, UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF FRESNO.
>>  HALLY C, UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF FRESNO.
>>  GABRIELLE SALAVRAY,
UNITARIAN CONGREGATION OF
LAWRENCEVILLE, GEORGIA.
>>  DANIEL MARK WELSH, UU
FELLOWSHIP OF FALMOUTH,
MASSACHUSETTS.
>>  WILLA JACOBS, UNITARIAN
CHURCH OF AMHURST, NEW YORK.
>>  CHARLIE MORA FROM THE
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST
CONGREGATION OF LAS VEGAS.
>>  ANA RENSHAW, UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF SALT LAKE
CITY, UTAH.
>>  CADE HARRISON CROXFORD,
UNITARIAN SOCIETY OF SALT LAKE
CITY, UTAH.
>>  TYRA, NEIGHBORHOOD CHURCH OF
PASADENA AND THE BENNEVILLE
PINES.
>>  KAITLYN WESTER, UNITARIAN
CHURCH OF REDWOOD CITY,
CALIFORNIA.
>>  ABIGAL LEAVES, UU SUMMIT
FELLOWSHIP.
>>  TIMMY JOHN HOLMES, SUMMIT UU
FELLOWSHIP.
>>  MIA COON, NEIGHBORHOOD
UNITARIAN CHURCH OF PASADENA,
CALIFORNIA.
>>  ABIGAL POYE,UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF AUSTIN, CHURCH.
>>  CHLOE FINN, UNITARIAN CHURCH
OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS.
>>  CHRISLINDA WHITE, FIRST
UNITARIAN CHURCH OF SAN DIEGO.
>>  MIKAELA LATIMER, UNITARIAN
CONGREGATION OF COLUMBIA.
>>  ZOE JOHNSON, UNITARIAN
CHURCH OF GOLDEN, COLORADO.
>>  HANNAH COAL LINDING,
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
>>  JULIA LANDIS, UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALIST IN CHARLOTTESVILLE,
VIRGINIA.
>>  RACHEL ELIZABETH WILLIS,
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF
MOSCOW, IDAHO.
>>  KARISHM GODFRY, UNITARIAN
UNIVERSAL FELLOWSHIP OF
CORAVALLIS, OREGON.
>>  EMMA MERCHANT, FIRST
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH OF
COLUMBUS.
>>  HOLY BREATH, HOLY NAME, WILL
YOU EASE, WILL YOU EASE THIS
PAIN.  HOLY BREATH AND HOLY
NAME, WILL YOU EASE, WILL YOU
EASE THIS PAIN.  HOLY BABY.  YOU
DON'T HAVE TO CARRY THE WEIGHT
OF YOUR MUSCLES AND BONES, LET
GO, LET GO, LET GO.  LOOSEN,
LOOSEN BABY AND YOU DON'T HAVE
TO CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
IN YOUR MUSCLES AND BONES, LET
GO, LET GO, LET GO.  LOOSEN,
LOOSEN BABY AND YOU DON'T HAVE
TO CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
IN YOUR MUSCLES AND BONES, LET
GO, LET GO, LET GO.  LOOSEN,
LOOSEN BABY AND YOU DON'T HAVE
TO CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD
IN YOUR MUSCLES AND BONES, LET
GO, LET GO, LET GO.  LOOSEN,
LOOSEN BABY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO
CARRY THE WEIGHT OF THE WORLD IN
YOUR MUSCLES AND BONES, LET GO,
LET GO, LET GO.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  MAY WE ENTER NOW INTO A
SPACE OF TRANSITION; WE HAVE
HONORED THOSE PARTS OF OUR
JOURNEYS EXPERIENCED THUS FAR,
MAY WE NOW BEGIN TO BLESS THE
UNKNOWN.
MAY WE STEP INTO UNCERTAINTY,
ONTO PATHS WE'VE YET TO CROSS,
BUT WILL MEET SOON.
MAY WE DO JUSTICE TO OUR LIVES
THUS FAR BY EXPERIENCING THOSE
PATHS TO THEIR FULLEST
POTENTIAL:
BY LISTENING TO THE WHISPERS OF
THE ONES WE USED TO BE AS THEY
GUIDE OUR DREAMS AND HOPEFUL
VISIONS FOR THE FUTURE.
BY HONORING THE ASPECTS OF
OURSELVES LOST AND BROKEN,
REMEMBERING THEM AS PARTS OF OUR
JOURNEYS, HOLDING THEM IN THE
DEEPEST LOVE.
BY STEPPING FORTH FROM HERE,
INTO THIS WORLD, WITH A PROMISE
OF JUSTICE RADIATING FROM OUR
BEINGS, CALLING FOR REVOLUTION.
CALLING FOR A TIME WHEN OUR
PLAYFUL, CURIOUS, UNRELENTINGLY
JOYFUL EXPERIENCES AS CHILDREN
DO NOT BECOME MERE MEMORIES AS
YOUTH.
A TIME WHEN WE DO NOT HAVE TO
ENDURE SO MUCH TRAUMA, GRIEVE
ALL THE LOSSES OF OUR DEAR
FRIENDS AND OF PARTS OF
OURSELVES.
A TIME WHERE WE BREATHE AND LIVE
AND LOVE AND DREAM FREELY,
FINALLY.
THIS IS WHERE WE PREPARE FOR
UNKNOWN PATHS. THIS IS WHERE WE
HOLD ONE ANOTHER WITH OUR
PROMISES, OUR FIERCE HOPE. THIS
IS WHERE WE ARE CALLED TO GROW.
>>  WILL YOU ALL TAKE A DEEP
BREATH IN WITH ME?  WELCOME
BELOVEDS.  WE ARE SO GLAD YOU
ARE HERE.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
IN MY CONGREGATION GROWING UP,
OUR BRIDGING RITUAL ALWAYS
INVOLVED AN ACTUAL BRIDGE. IT
WAS STORED IN A BACK CLOSET,
TAKING UP A RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF
SPACE ONLY TO EMERGE ONCE A YEAR
WHEN ANOTHER CLASS OF YOUTH
WOULD TRANSITION INTO YOUNG
ADULTHOOD. I REMEMBER WATCHING
THIS RITUAL, TRANSFIXED. PARENTS
WALKED THEIR CHILD TO ONE SIDE,
THE BRIDGER SHUFFLED AWKWARDLY
ACROSS, AND THEY WERE GREETED BY
WHICHEVER YOUNG ADULT MEMBER WAS
IN CHURCH THAT MORNING. THIS
RITUAL WAS MEANT TO BE A TIME TO
REAFFIRM PROMISES TO YOUNG
PEOPLE IN OUR CONGREGATION. BUT
ALL TOO OFTEN, WE SEE OUR YOUTH
TO THE BRIDGE AND THEN STOP
THERE, WAVING TO THEM WHILE WE
STAY BEHIND. BUT BRIDGING IS NOT
THE SEVERING OF A TIE. IT?S THE
NEXT STEP IN THAT TIE.  IT'S AN
INVITATION TO DEEPEN OUR
RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR BRIDGERS.
IT'S NOT
ENOUGH TO WAVE GOODBYE AND THROW
OUR FLEDGLING YOUNG ADULTS TO
THE WIND. WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION
TO CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THEM IN
NEW AND DIFFERENT WAYS. IN WAYS
THAT HONOR THIS TRANSITION IN
THEIR LIVES.
TO CONGREGATIONS TOUCHED BY
BRIDGERS NOW MOVING AWAY, DO NOT
LET YOUR CONNECTIONS TO THEM
BE SAVED.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  GET THEIR NEW ADDRESSES.
SEND THEM CARDS CONGRATULATING
THEM ON MILESTONES. SEND CARDS
REMINDING THEM THAT THEY ARE
LOVED. SEND CARDS OFFERING A
READING YOU HEARD AND THOUGHT OF
THEM. FRIEND THEM ON FACEBOOK,
FOLLOW THEM ON INSTAGRAM AND
SEND ALL THE SAME THINGS
VIRTUALLY. REMAIN CONNECTED TO
THE EMERGING ADULTS IN YOUR
CONGREGATIONS AND THEY WILL
REMAIN CONNECTED TO UNITARIAN
UNIVERSALISM.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  BUT WAVE GOODBYE PERMANENTLY
AND THEY MAY FEEL AS THOUGH THEY
ARE NO LONGER WELCOME IN YOUR
COMMUNITY OR IN OUR FAITH.
TO CONGREGATIONS WHO FIND
EMERGING ADULTS AT YOUR
DOORSTEP, WELCOME THEM IN WITH
EXCITEMENT. LET THEM KNOW THAT
YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THEM.
OFFER RIDES TO CHURCH OR THE
POTLUCK THURSDAY NIGHT. SEE IF
THEY WANT TO SERVE ON THE BOARD.
LEARN ABOUT THEIR INTERESTS.
START CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM
DURING COFFEE HOUR. AND WHEN
THEY MOVE ON AGAIN, MARK THAT
TRANSITION TOO. DON?T LET
YOURSELF BE WISHING YOU?D HAVE
GOTTEN TO KNOW THEM BETTER.
AND TO YOU GENERAL ASSEMBLY, THE
CONGREGATION OF CONGREGATIONS, I
CHARGE YOU TO MEET AND EXCEED
THE EXPECTATIONS OF THESE
BRIDGERS. THERE IS WORK THEY
EXPECT BEYOND SIMPLY ALLOWING
THEM INTO YOUR CONGREGATIONS
WHEN THEY ARRIVE.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  THIS GROUP OF BRIDGERS
EXPECT MORE THAN WHAT?S BEEN
RECEIVED BY EMERGING ADULTS IN
THE PAST. THEY ARE RAISING THE
BAR AND EXPECTING US TO MEET IT.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  THEY EXPECT US TO CELEBRATE
THEIR LEADERSHIP AND TO HELP IT
GROW. THEY EXPECT US TO BE
BEACONS OF POSSIBILITY AND
ENCOURAGEMENT FOR IMAGINATION.
THE BRIDGERS EXPECT US NOT TO
MAKE THEM INTO BORING ADULTS,
BUT TO SUPPORT THEIR BLOSSOMING
INTO WHATEVER KINDS OF ADULTS
THEY ARE CALLED TO BECOME.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  THE WORLD IN WHICH WE LIVE
GROWS EVER MORE
HOSTILE. THE FORCES OF INJUSTICE
THREATEN US AT EVERY TURN. MANY
YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE FACED TRAUMA
AND VIOLENCE. FOR SOME, SIMPLY
EXISTING CAN FEEL LIKE AN
INSURMOUNTABLE FEAT. WE MUST
PROVIDE SAFE HAVENS SPECIFICALLY
DESIGNED TO WELCOME FULL SELVES.
AS THE WORLD GROWS COLDER, OUR
CONGREGATIONS MUST EXUDE LIGHT
AND WARMTH, DRAWING IN THOSE
HAGGERED BY THE WEATHER.
AND SO I ASK YOU, THE
CONGREGATION OF CONGREGATIONS,
TO VERBALLY ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR
COMMITMENTS TO OUR BRIDGERS.
PLEASE RESPOND TO THE FOLLOWING
QUESTIONS WITH ?WE WILL.?   WILL
YOU HOLD THESE BELOVED BRIDGERS,
THROUGH THEIR HIGHEST AND THEIR
LOWEST TIMES, AS THEY ENTER
YOUNG ADULTHOOD?
>>  WE WILL.
>>  WILL YOU COMMIT TO BEING
WITH THEM WHENEVER THEIR JOURNEY
UNFOLDS?
>>  WE WILL.
>>  WILL YOU CULTIVATE
CONGREGATIONS THE ALLOW THEM TO
LAY DOWN THEIR BURDENS,
CONGREGATIONS THAT ALLOW FOR
THEIR JOY AND THEIR SORROWS?
>>  WE WILL.
>>  WILL YOU LISTEN TO THEIR
NEEDS AND ADJUST ACCORDINGLY?
>>  WE WILL.
>>  WILL YOU FOLLOW THESE
EMERGING ADULTS AS THEY LEAD OUR
FAITH?
>>  WE WILL.
>>  AND NOW
TO CEMENT THESE PROMISES, I
INVITE YOU TO JOIN WITH ME IN
SONG RESPONSE.
>>  WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO,
BELOVED WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO
WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO, BELOVED
WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO.
WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO, BELOVED
WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO WHERE YOU
GO I WILL GO, BELOVED WHERE YOU
GO I WILL GO.
>>  AFTER THIS WE WILL SCATTER
TO THE FOUR CORNERS AND BEYOND.
WE ARE DEPARTING, NEVER TO
RETURN TO THIS MOMENT AGAIN,
NEVER TO RETURN TO THIS LIMINAL
YOUTH COMMUNITY AGAIN. WE ARE
LEAVING, PULLING AWAY FROM EACH
OTHER AND TOWARDS A NEW FUTURE,
BUT BEFORE WE LEAVE, LET US SAY
GOODBYE, LET US MAKE ONE FINAL
PROMISE TO EACH OTHER. ONE LAST
DEMAND OF EACH OTHER AND
WHATEVER MAGIC BROUGHT US
TOGETHER. PLEASE TURN TOWARDS
ANOTHER FELLOW BRIDGER OR IF
YOU'RE ON THE CORNER THE THREE
OF YOU, YOU'VE GOT THIS, AND
REPEAT THIS CHARGE TO ONE
ANOTHER.  NO MATTER WHERE YOU GO
OR WHO YOU BECOME, I CHARGE YOU
TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THIS LOVE.
ALL OF ITS FAILURES AND ALL OF
ITS MIRACLES.  I CHARGE YOU TO
KNOW YOU CAN ALWAYS COME BACK OR
LEAVE.  I CHARGE YOU TO ALWAYS
KNOW ME.  WHETHER WE MEET AGAIN
OR NOT.  I CHARGE YOU TO HOLD ME
ACCOUNTABLE AND TO ALWAYS KNOW
THAT WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO.  I
CHARGE YOU TO ALWAYS CALL FOR
JUSTICE AND REVOLUTION, NO
MATTER THE DISCOMFORT.  TO FIGHT
TO HEAL THE WORLD, TO FIGHT FOR
JUSTICE.  YOU'RE DOING REALLY
WELL AND I'M PROUD.  WE'RE GOING
TO KEEP GOING BECAUSE YOU CAN DO
THIS.  I CHARGE YOU THE FEED THE
HUNGRY.  TO CLOTHE THE POOR.  TO
PROTECT LOVE AT THE CENTER OF
EVERY ACTION.  TO BE THE
UPRISING WE NEED.  TO BUILD THIS
WORLD TOGETHER.  AND TO ALWAYS
KNOW THAT YOUR PEOPLE ARE MY
PEOPLE.  I'M JUST GOING TO TAKE
THIS PART BY MYSELF BECAUSE IT'S
A COUPLE OF SENTENCES.  BUT I
TRUST YOU TO AFFIRM IT IN YOUR
HEARTS, FRIENDS.  I CHARGE YOU
TO KNOW THAT WE WILL FOREVER
SUPPORT AND CHERISH EACH OTHER
IN EVERY ENDEAVOR AND FRACTION
OF LIFE.  AMEN AND BLESSED BE.
AMEN.  YES, FRIENDS.  I NOW
INVITE YOU THE RISE IN SPIRIT OR
IN BODY AND JOIN ME IN SONG TO
SEAL THIS CHARGE NOW AND FOREVER
MORE.
>>  WHERE YOU GO, I WILL GO,
BELOVED WHERE YOU GO, I WILL GO
WHERE YOU GO, I WILL GO, BELOVED
WHERE YOU DO GO I WILL GO.
WHERE YOU GO I WILL GO BELOVED.
WHERE YOU GO I WILL.  WHERE YOU
GO I WILL GO, BELOVED.  WHERE
YOU GO I WILL GO.
AND YOUR PEOPLE ARE MY PEOPLE
YOUR PEOPLE ARE MINE YOUR PEOPLE
ARE MY PEOPLE YOUR DIVINE MY
DIVINE   AND YOUR PEOPLE ARE MY
PEOPLE YOUR PEOPLE ARE MINE YOUR
PEOPLE ARE MY PEOPLE YOUR DIVINE
MY DIVINE.  YOUR PEOPLE ARE MY
PEOPLE, YOUR PEOPLE ARE DEVINE.
YOUR PEOPLE ARE MY PEOPLE, YOUR
DIVINE, YOUR DIVINE.  YOUR
PEOPLE ARE MY PEOPLE, YOUR
PEOPLE ARE MY PEOPLE, YOUR
DIVINE, MY DIVINE.  YOUR DIVINE,
MY DIVINE.  YOUR DIVINE, MY
DIVINE.
>>  [APPLAUSE]
>>  WITH THE EXTINGUISHING OF
OUR CHALICE, WE LOSE THE
PHYSICAL FLAME, BUT ITS BOLD AND
BRIGHT DECLARATION OF THIS FAITH
COMMUNITY REMAINS LIT WITHIN OUR
SPIRITS.
>>  MAY THE COMPASSION AND TRUTH
IT HOLDS AFFIRM THE CHALLENGING,
WONDROUS JOURNEYS EXPERIENCED IN
THIS COMMUNITY.
>>  MAY THE POWER AND THE
PROMISE OF JUSTICE IT HOLDS
GUIDE AND SUSTAIN US INTO
REVOLUTION, ONTO THE JOURNEYS
YET TO COME.
>>  AS WE DEPART FROM THIS
COMMUNITY, WE DEPART FROM EACH
OTHER, FROM THIS ASPECT OF OUR
LIVES AND ONTO NEW, GLORIOUS
PATHS.
>>  THESE PATHS WILL BE LIT BY
MANY OTHER HEARTS, MET WITH
PERILS, MIRACLES, CELEBRATIONS,
AND CHALLENGES. BUT AMONGST ALL
OF THEM WILL LIE THE LOVE AND
THE HOPE OF HERE. OF THIS
MOMENT.
>>  MAY EVERY STEP TAKEN AWAY
FROM THIS SPACE BE BLESSED WITH
THE MAGIC OF THIS FAITH, MAY
EVERY MOMENT EXPERIENCED FROM
HERE BE HELD IN THE LOVE OF OUR
COMMUNITY.
>>  [MUSIC]

Event: B2019 0621 Syngery 6:30 PM EST.
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