President Susan Frederick-Gray expressed in the Unitarian Universalist Pocket Guide that “these are defining times…the challenges before us…are quite literally matters of life and death—especially for black and brown people, immigrants and refugees, LGBTQ folx, people with disabilities, and those deprived of the material resources needed to survive and thrive” (p. xiv). How poignant that her words resonate so deeply today. We are five months in on the journey of being Unitarian Universalists communities during a global pandemic.

This August/September our entire MidAmerica Regional team will be organizing virtual connection opportunities. These “sharing circles” are for lay congregational leaders, religious professionals, youth, young adults, and more. In these online conversations, I hope to hear from many of you as to:

• What are your most important learnings from the first five months of COVID-19?

• What do you feel like you need help, or will need help with the most in the upcoming months?

• How is your congregation continuing to do the work of your mission during this time?

We truly want to know how you and your congregation are doing, and, in preliminary meet up sessions, the questions and comments will help our regional team discern what the virtual programming needs are for the coming year.

Please check out our “Connection” opportunities. Hope to “see” you there!