New York State Convention of Universalists' 200th Anniversary, Travels to Ithaca, and Dinner with a Dear Friend Trustee Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith and President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt Reconnect With Their Religious Roots

By Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith

I had the good fortune to travel with the Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, UUA President, to deliver a shared keynote at the New York State Convention of Universalists’ 200th Anniversary meeting in October, and then to travel to Ithaca, NY, where we preached together a Sunday morning service in our shared home congregation, the First Unitarian Society. Emily Richards, their Director of Congregational Life, could not have been more welcoming! It was a delight to be with the congregation where I found myself called to our Unitarian Universalist ministry, to lead worship with Emily and their Director of Music, Laura Ramos, and to talk with the current members of the congregation.

And then, a few days later, we had dinner with the Rev. Janet Shortall! She had served as the Associate Director of Cornell University’s chaplaincy during our undergraduate years and was a support and mentor as Sofía and I each found our way into UU ministry…as well as the officiant at my wedding nearly 30 years ago. Coming back home to Ithaca and my UU roots with such warmth and connection was a joy; reminding them of just how connected they are to our whole movement was a profound moment of ministry.

On a chancel with a white background and colorful tapestry, Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, wearing a black robe and red and gold stole, stands at the podium, with Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith, wearing a white robe with an earth tone colored stole, at her left. Emily Richards, FUSIT's Director of Congregational Life, sits behind them.

At the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca (FUSIT), UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt preaches at the podium with UUA Trustee Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith to her left. In the background sits Emily Richards, FUSIT’s Director of Congregational Life.

On a chancel with a white background and colorful tapestry, Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith stands at the podium, wearing a white robe with an earth tone colored stole, with Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, wearing a black robe and red and gold stole, at his left. Emily Richards, FUSIT's Director of Congregational Life, sits behind them.

At the First Unitarian Society of Ithaca (FUSIT), UUA Trustee Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith preaches at the podium with UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt to his left. In the background sits Emily Richards, FUSIT’s Director of Congregational Life.

(l to r) Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith, and Rev. Janet Shortall pose for a selfie in a restaurant. All wear glasses, Betancourt wears a black shirt, Robersmith wears a brown patterned shirt, and Shortall wears a blue patterned shirt.

(left to right) UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt, UUA Trustee Rev. Dr. Adam Robersmith, and Rev. Janet Shortall gather together for a selfie at a restaurant.