Pacific Western Region
June 2025 |
Content
Gratitude for the Journey
Dr. Melissa James
News: Pacific Western Region
PWR 1st Annual Business Meeting - Results & Update!
July Newsletter Announcement
Regional Assembly 2026
News: Unitarian Universalist Association
Actions of Immediate Witness Feedback Sessions
UUA General Assembly 2025
Youth and Emerging Adults at General Assembly
Thrive Meet Up: BIPOC Youth and Emerging Adults at General Assembly
Join the UU Climate Justice Revival at General Assembly
Side With Love
The Gathering
UPLIFT Transgender/Nonbinary+ Monthly Gathering
UPLIFT Trans/Nonbinary+ Pastoral Care Small Group
Emerging Adult Ministry Team News
Sparks RE and Music Leadership
Congregational Announcement
Unitarian Universalists Church of Verdugo Hills - Screening and Fundraising
Important Resources
UUA Job Board / UUA Job and Careers
Congregational Incident Form
Community Resilience Hub
Disaster Relief Fund
UU Mental Health Network
Publications
May and June Publications |
Pacific Western Region Board
President, Keith Strohmaier
Treasurer, Mary Nordhagen
Secretary, Libby Fitzgerald
At-Large, Bob Miess, Rev. Roger Jones, David Sheh, Rev. Sunshine Wolfe
|
Pacific Western Region Staff
PWR Lead
Rev. Sunshine Wolfe
PWR Program Staff
Rev. Summer Albayati
Dr. Melissa James
Rev. Sarah Gibb Millspaugh
Rev. Tania Y Márquez
Sam K. Pearl
PWR Administrator and Bookkeeper
Hara Madera
Melanie Buck |
Pacific Western Region Links
|
Blogpost
Gratitude for the Journey |
I have a confession to make–despite having a decade and half worth of ministry experience behind me when I started at the UUA, I came into the role of Congregational Life Field Staff with plenty of uncertainty. What even was this job? Was I the right person to be doing it? When I interviewed for the position and asked what a typical day looked like the answers I got were vague–”well, I respond to e-mails, talk to people, do some planning” was the jist. Beginning in the fall of 2020 in the midst of a global pandemic didn’t help with the uncertainty–everything was topsy turvy and constantly changing.
Over the last nearly 5 years, I have learned and relearned what it means to support our congregations in this role. What I have come to love about this work is relational, and frankly ministerial, aspects of getting to know, care about, and support the congregations and leaders of the region and wider association. Doing one-on-ones with religious professionals and lay leaders where, not only do I get to be a thought partner, but I get to know them (you) as a person. Getting to see pictures of kiddos, grandbabies, and fur-babies. Celebrating joys and sorrows. The graciousness when our calls are interrupted by my own kiddo. Joining together on Zoom with anywhere between 2 and 200 people to do the tough and exhilarating work of ministry. Being able to occasionally be in person to learn, worship, and work together. These parts of the work fill me with awe and appreciation for the dedicated, resilient, creative, skilled, and sometimes stubborn people who make up our association.
I will finish my time with the Pacific Western Region and UUA on June 30th, 2025. The next chapter of ministry will be teaching Sociology and Gender Studies at the University of San Diego (USD) and helping lead the USD Non-Tenure Track union. While I have consistently been teaching at USD since before I began with the Pacific Western Region, I have the opportunity to go all in on the dream I’ve been chasing for 20 years. Working only 1 job will also allow me to put more energy into my and my little queer family’s well-being in ways that are desperately needed in these uncertain times.
As so many of you know from the transitions your fellowship/congregation has been through–there is sadness in saying goodbye. A sadness I certainly feel. I know I leave you in excellent hands with a star-studded regional team with whom I have been blessed to work alongside. As I wrap up my time and say my goodbyes, I also have an immense feeling of pride in the work we’ve been able to do together and abundant hope for the people, congregations, organizations, and region. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this journey with you!
- Dr. Melissa James, PWR Program Staff |
News: Pacific Western Region |
PWR 1st Annual Business Meeting - Results & Update! |
Greetings Pacific Western Region,
Last week, we held our first Pacific Western Region (PWR) Annual Business Meeting—and what a success it was! This achievement would not have been possible without your presence, participation, and patience. We were thrilled to have over 135 attendees join us.
During the meeting, we accomplished two important milestones:
- The approval of the 2025–2026 budget, and
- The appointment of new PWR Board members.
We warmly welcome our newly appointed board members: Russ Menk, Lisa Lake, and Ramon Urbano. We also extend our gratitude to our continuing board members: Bob Miess, David Sheh, and Libby Fitzgerald, who will be serving alongside them.
A special thank you to our outgoing board members—current PWR Board President Keith Strohmaier, Treasurer Mary Nordhagen, and At-Large member Roger Jones—for their dedication and service to the region. Their leadership has been invaluable in shaping the path forward.
This summer, we will be sending a packet to all congregations with the meeting results and additional information. Once again, thank you for helping make our inaugural meeting such a meaningful and successful gathering.
With gratitude,
The PWR Board and Staff
|
July Newsletter Announcement |
Happy Wednesday!
Please note that there will be no newsletter for July and we'll be back in August.
- Hara I. Madera, PWR Regional Administrator |
News: Unitarian Universalist Association |
Actions of Immediate Witness Feedback Sessions |
Shape the 2025 Proposed Actions of Immediate Witness
An Action of Immediate Witness (AIW) is a statement about a significant action, event, or development in the world that necessitates immediate engagement and action among UU member congregations and groups. This year, the Commission on Social Witness received five proposed AIWs:
Learn more about AIWs and the social witness process at the UUA website. |
UUA General Assembly 2025 |
We invite you to join us for the 2025 UUA General Assembly in Baltimore and/or online from June 18-22—a chance to connect, reflect, and build a future that meets this moment with purpose and courage. This year’s theme, “Meet the Moment,” calls us to engage with the evolving challenges of our world, exploring fresh ways to deepen our faith and respond boldly to our mission. Across five days of powerful worship, insightful workshops, and community-building experiences, we’ll find inspiration together, reconnect with friends and colleagues, and return to our congregations renewed. Join us in person or online to be part of this transformative experience, where every voice matters and our shared vision grows stronger. GA Registration is still open for both online and in-person attendees.
You can find the program schedule, information about worship leaders and the Ware Lecture and workshop information at the GA website. |
Youth and Emerging Adults at GA |
Check out this video (YouTube) to learn about the many ways youth (ages 14–18) and emerging adults (ages 18–24) are supported and celebrated at General Assembly. Shannon Harper from the UUA’s Lifespan Faith Engagement Office outlines dedicated gathering spaces, pastoral care, and engaging connection points both in person and online. Highlights include WAVE cohorts focused on youth and emerging adult experiences and the deep need for Whole Church religious education, Deeper Joy pop-ups with inclusive games and activities, and the Whole Church Engagement Area for all ages to rest and play in the General Session Hall. Everyone at GA is invited to help center young people in our faith and nurture a thriving multigenerational community! |
Thrive Meet Up: BIPOC Youth and Emerging Adults at General Assembly |
Thursday, June 5th at 8pm ET | 7pm CT | 6pm MT | 5pm PT
On Zoom for BIPOC Youth and Emerging Adults (ages 14-24)
General Assembly (GA) is just around the corner! Two BIPOC adults from DRUUMM and the UUA will give a brief overview of programs, events, and supports available to BIPOC youth and emerging adults at GA. There will be time to ask questions, make connections, and get excited for GA. Join us in BIPOC UU community to lean on each other and connect.
Click here to register and get the Zoom link! Parent/guardian permission required via the registration form for attendees under age 18.
Note that this is a closed space for UUs between ages 14-24 who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or people of color. If you are unsure whether this is a space for you, reach out to Nico Van Ostrand (yayaofcolor@uua.org) for a chat. |
Join the UU Climate Justice Revival at General Assembly! |
The UU Climate Justice Revival is coming to General Assembly! We’re hosting a mini-Revival, a Revival meditation space, and a deep dive into the ways the UUA is moving climate justice forward. Please note: all programming is for registered General Assembly participants unless otherwise noted.
|
Side with Love has a number of events coming up. Be sure to check their website for new events near you. Get all the details at the event link.
Resources from Side with Love
|
The Gathering by Side with Love on June 9, 5pm PT | 8 pm ET
The Gathering is a monthly virtual event from Side With Love, designed to offer:
- Spiritual Grounding – Strengthen your heart and spirit for the work ahead.
- Political Analysis – Understand the threats to democracy and justice.
- Collective Action – Organize with others to block anti-democratic forces and build a just and loving world.
|
UPLIFT Transgender/Nonbinary+ Monthly Gathering |
June 24, 5pm PT | 8pm ET
Join the UPLIFT monthly gatherings for trans, nonbinary, and other not-entirely-or-at-all-cis UUs and friends of UUism. Join us to connect with other trans/nonbinary+ UUs and co-create support and community across our faith. All you need to bring is yourself (and other trans/nonbinary friends, if you’d like)! Non-UUs are welcome if they are OK with being in a UU-focused community (we won't proselytize). If you are interested in this space, and you aren’t (entirely or at all) cisgender, it’s a space for you.
What do we do during the gatherings? They are a cozy community space where we connect with each other with games and breakout groups, share ideas and stories on all kinds of topics, listen to music and poetry (often by trans/nonbinary+ creators), and much more! Register here. |
UPLIFT Trans/Nonbinary+ Pastoral Care Small Group |
June 13, 5pm PT | 8pm ET
What is pastoral care, exactly? Pastoral care is support with navigating life—big and small things, joys and hardships and all those mixed together. It’s not therapy, but a way for us to be in community together, supporting each other. This is a space to share the hard stuff and to hold the hard stuff that others are navigating in their lives.
During our time together, our lead chaplain/facilitators will share opening and closing words, and in between, there is time for everyone to share what's on their heards, and receive what others are sharing about their own lives. It's a supportive, judgment-free place to connect with other trans/nonbinary+ people. Register here. |
Emerging Adult Ministry Team News |
In January 2025 a group of UU emerging adult leaders convened and while thinking about our lives as Unitarian Universalists, realized that between Bridging (18 yrs) and getting married or dedicating one's children, there isn't a significant spiritual milestone in between. Yikes! Inspired, this group has decided to help to address this deficiency and they need your input.
We are looking for submissions specifically from 18-24 year-olds and / or UU Religious Professionals. If you meet this criteria, please take a few minutes to fill out the questions in this survey.
If you have any questions, please contact emergingadults@uua.org. For more information visit the UUA website. |
Sparks RE and Music Leadership |
The Spark RE and Music Leadership Professional Development Programs provide Unitarian Universalist Religious Professionals learning communities where they can easily access applicable skills and tools for religious leadership. Courses are also open to interested lay leaders. Check out the lists of classes, these are great resources! |
Congregational Announcement |
Unitarian Universalists Church of Verdugo Hills - Screening and Fundraising |
Special Note: The following event is sponsored by the local congregation and has not been vetted by the UUA or PWR. |
YOU’RE INVITED
The Unitarian Universalist Church of Verdugo Hills is hosting a screening and fundraiser for the 50-minute documentary Braver Angels: Reuniting America.
About the Documentary: Eight Democratic-leaning voters and seven Republican-leaning voters move through a Braver Angels signature Red/Blue workshop in Waynesville, Ohio. They move from initial skepticism to a more profound understanding and empathy.
Viewers get an inside look at how a Democratic voter went from threatening to cut off relationships with Trump voters to becoming dear friends with one—and how a Republican voter moved from disdaining progressives to taking co-leadership with one in a movement that now spans the country.
Directed by four-time Emmy award-winner Jim Brown and produced by musician Peter Yarrow.
When: Tuesday, June 24 from 7:00-8:30pm
Where: UU Church of Verdugo Hills at 4451 Dunsmore Ave, Glendale, CA 91214 (Neighborhood street parking)
(use the free registration code BRAVER) |
UU Job Board / UUA Job and Careers |
Congregations are hiring, check out the UU Job Board to see what is available.
The UUA is hiring for several positions. Find job descriptions and application information at their Job Openings webpage. |
Congregational Incident Form |
The simple Congregational Incident Form provides a way for congregations to inform the UUA of a threat or disruptive incident that comes from outside the congregation itself, helping us track trends and create resources.
All forms come to Safe Congregation Program email, safecongregations@uua.org. Please let us know if you have any questions. |
If your congregation is struggling with how to respond in this moment, please check out the UUA's Resilience Hub. This is a location where we are gathering resources to help congregations build strong, connected, and resilient communities. |
The UUA has a Disaster Relief Fund for those who want to make a donation to help congregations who have faced losses due to tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, wildfires and more. Please donate if you can. Learn more about the work of the Disaster Relief Fund. We are Better Together. |
The UU Mental Health Network, is driven by a single goal; to empower the Beloved Community in honoring each individual 's unique mental health journey towards wellness..
We envision a world where the Beloved Community: is a place where all members feel welcomed, understood, and held in love; engage in respectful curiosity to understand emotional distress; welcome open, authentic, and fearless sharing about mental health; and passionately commits to mental health justice. For more information, click here. |
Pacific Western Region of the UUA Newsletter |
This email was sent to congregational leaders, committee chairs and staff.
|
Pacific Western Region - UUA
P.O Box 567
Brighton, CO 80601
United States |
|
|
|
|
|
|
