This week’s Gathering, in the midst of a severe and colonialist escalation of attacks against multiple communities in the “Middle East,” Rev. Ranwa Hammamy grounded us in the norms and history that got us here and invited us to keep noticing the connections between this country’s past and implications today. They reminded us that we must imagine new worlds of thriving rather than strive to get “back to normal.” Their words and music from beheld reminded us that cultivating hope is a critical discipline to fend off despair and inaction. We do that together.

India Wood and Rev. Manish Mishra-Marzetti generously shared their own personal and familial stories with us as they reflected on their participation in the first UU delegation to Palestine earlier this year. India offered a powerful reminder of exactly how interdependent we are, and Rev. Manish laid out the role of empire and dispossesion from Palestine to India, while painting a picture of a future we all dream of: a communal, participatory, pluralistic society in Palestine and here in the U.S.

One participant commented, “The music, the stories, the community. You bring me to tears in the most beautiful way.”

Will you take 2 minutes to share your feedback and how you are living your faith in your community?

If you missed us live, you can watch the recording and view the presentation slides.

As we said at The Gathering, our faith calls us look back at history and forward to our dreams. Here are the next steps we invited you into:

1. Ground yourself. What is 1 thing you will do to tend to your spirit and regulate this week?

2. Amplify. What is something you will share with 3 people tomorrow?

3. Tool to take back: Collective Imagining of Our Community Thriving — Rich Picture Exercise

I invite you to let us know which of these actions (or others!) you are taking this month, and be sure to read our Action Center Weekly Update for specific actions you can take this week. We publish the update every Tuesday on our Action Center.

More Resources & links

• Beheld’s music: sign up for their updates and concerts, and read this new article about their work: The Growing Chorus of Resistance, and The Women Holding the Baton

• The UU delegation to Palestine was organized with UUs for Justice in the MIddle East and Friends of Sabeel North America

Side With Love Links

• Side With Love Action Center

• Side With Love’s Dos & Don’ts Grounded, Resilient & Responsible Toolkit

• UUA Community Resilience Hub

• Bookmark the webpage for The Gathering to see all the dates, a promotion kit, recordings, crisis resources, and links.

The strength of our movements has always been found in our ability to come together. May we continue acting in wider and wider networks of solidarity, and we will see you again in April.

May we dedicate ourselves to love today and always,

Rev. Cathy & Side with Love Staff Team

PS: Don’t miss our April 13th Gathering!