If the only prayer you ever say in your entire life is thank you, it will be enough. - Meister Eckhart (Rev. Kenn Hurto uses this quote all the time)

Here is our prayer of thanks.

At this time - when there is so much fear and anger, and losses are high, I think it is a good time to recognize how lucky I am to be employed by our Unitarian Universalist Association. What an honor and privilege it is to do my job. How grateful and humble I am for the care that I receive.

I said this at a Southern Region Staff meeting and was met with an outpouring of gratitude from the rest of the staff team. Some of us are better at putting our gratitude in the form of the written word than others but each of us wishes to give thanks to the leaders of our Association and ultimately to the individual congregations whose generosity makes possible the fact that we can do the work we are called to do.

Connie Goodbread

I’m grateful to our UUA for being a model employer during a global pandemic. Because Rev. Susan Frederick-Gray, our president, Carey McDonald, Executive Vice President, and senior leadership promote and prioritize rest, safety, and care, UUA staff is equipped to support our congregations for the long haul. We can extend care because we receive care.

Feeling blessed beyond measure,

Christine Purcell

Thank you to the Unitarian Universalist Association

I am so proud to work for an organization that lives its values so well and that takes the responsibility of its authority so seriously. When the COVID -19 crisis hit, our leadership went into action to be out in front of the events that were to follow. It gave me so much pride to know that we looked at the science and data and made mature choices before similar recommendations were made nationwide. Thank you.

I am also so proud of us for putting the health and wellbeing of our members and employees ahead of any other demands. Our people matter and we were able to support our congregations and covenanted communities by making recommendations that might have been difficult to consider. I believe that this helped our leaders be able to make the hard decisions for their communities. Thank you.

I am also grateful for the way so many came together to make resources available in order to help with the multitudes of information in the universe. We gathered information, curated, triaged, and distributed widely critical information about how to move forward. Thank you.

We so clearly lived our mission from the very beginning of this crisis. We equip communities, train leaders and amplify values. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Kathy McGowan

It’s embedded within the DNA of Unitarian Universalists to be skeptical of institutions, and that skepticism has enabled us to speak truth to power for centuries. It should come as no surprise then, that we reserve our most intense scrutiny and harshest criticism for our own institution. While deep down, I know it’s because we care immensely that our Association lives up to the high ideals of our faith, but nevertheless, it’s difficult for me not to feel defensive when this criticism occurs. Not only have I seen the UUA do amazing things in the world, but it’s also been far and away the most equitable employer that I have ever had. The vast majority of people will never have employers who come anywhere close.

The year I’ve been with the UUA has been lifesaving and lifegiving. Even in response to a massive global crisis, and with our national political landscape reaching a boiling point, our Associational leadership has responded with empathy, courage, and steadfastness. We know that what our faith calls our institutions to be may not be fully attainable, but the level of commitment I’ve seen in leadership in trying to do so has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.

Thank you!

Cameron Young

Dear UUA,

Thank you for so many things. I appreciate the care taken by the administration of UUA employees, acknowledging the extra time and energy we have put in during these unusual times. I admire the generous example that the UUA is setting for the member congregations. I dream that our congregations will take the example of the UUA and be able to be so generous and kind.

I appreciate virtual General Assembly and the care taken to insure GA was accessible for so many more than are normally able to attend.

I am honored to work for an organization that strives to live within the values we profess and comes back to the table to try again when we fall short.

I wish you blessings and a good long rest.

Kathy Charles

Thank you is such a small thing to say - know that we say it with a full heart.

Connie Goodbread