I am excited to introduce myself as one of your new Congregational Staff Members. I joined the Pacific Western Region, alongside Sam Pearl, at the beginning of September. Over the past two months, I've been learning the ins and outs of the role, shadowing and gaining insights from our more experienced staff, and beginning to connect with the 20 congregations currently assigned to me. This past month has also been a time for reconnecting with colleagues, learning from them, and familiarizing myself with the many resources and tools that the UUA and we, as congregational staff, have to offer our congregations. I feel very fortunate to be part of this team.

For the past three years, I served as a hospital chaplain, tending to the needs of the sick, the dying, and the bereaved. When I wasn’t responding to crises or high-acuity cases, I made rounds on my assigned units, introducing myself and talking to people about our services. During these unrequested visits, I often encountered familiar responses: a) some thought they were in worse health because they assumed someone had sent me specifically; b) others would say, “Oh, I’m not religious,” or “I don’t want to talk about religion”; or c) with a puzzled look, they’d say, “I’m not sure how you can help me.” A part of my role was to clarify, explaining, “I’m a chaplain here to offer emotional and spiritual support.” I’d reassure them that my visit didn’t signal a crisis, that we didn’t need to discuss religion, and that I was there to listen and see if they might benefit from our chaplain and integrative services.

If you’re wondering how this chaplaincy experience relates to my new role, it’s that I view my position here as being, in essence, a chaplain for congregations. This means I hope to support you in times of challenge, but I’m equally here for those conversations where I simply journey alongside your community— where I get to know you, to understand what’s important to you, and to explore if your community could benefit from some of the additional services we offer.

I look forward to hearing your stories, too. I want to know what you love about your congregations, the dreams you hold, the vision guiding you, and the things that make your communities thrive.

- Rev. Tania Y. Márquez

It is my delight to be introducing myself alongside Rev. Tania Márquez as your two new Congregational Life Consultants! The first month of this job has been a whirlwind -- my science fiction brain compels me to make the metaphor -- a trip to outer space.

I have discovered that in my current role, I am learning alongside you all. We are explorers together aboard this first year of my time with the Region. Relatedly, one of my spiritual practices this month has been rereading Becky Chambers’ Record of a Spaceborn Few. This is my book of the month, but more on that momentarily.

The last month has been full of warm welcomes, relationship building, deep learning, newness, and markedly, my first UU conference since 2020. My last was the 2019 MidAmerica Regional Conference, prior to our spiritual and physical lives being turned upside down in a world unrecognizable. Back in the present, I had a wonderful moment in-person at the MOSAIC Conference where I met a colleague from Oregon that I will be serving and learning alongside with. Our exchange was brief, but meaningful. Funnily enough, we met because we spotted we both had Becky Chambers novels with us! She was reading A Psalm for the Wild Built, which I also emphatically recommend. Our region had the 2nd highest attendance at MOSAIC and it feels incredible to be welcomed by communities that are committed to anti-racism and addressing oppression in our faith.

Over the last month I have found myself engaging in many orienting and grounding practices. I find myself drawing on lessons from Becky Chamber, reading manuals and reports, and revisiting Adrienne Marie Brown's Holding Change: The Way of Emergent Strategy Facilitation and Mediation. Another grounding, while close to the Smithsonian I took the opportunity to visit the National Portrait Gallery and I cried in the current exhibit of James Baldwin and Voices of Queer Resistance. All of this to share what has guided me through the month, as I pray for guidance for all of us all through November and the world we will survive and continue to change beyond. I will leave us with quotes from Record of a Spaceborn Few that have spoken to me about futures and new beginnings this month:

“Our species doesn’t operate by reality. It operates by stories. Cities are a story. Money is a story. Space was a story, once. When our planet started dying, our species was so caught up in stories. We had thousands of stories about ourselves – that’s still true, don’t forget that for a minute – but not enough of us were looking at the reality of things. Once reality caught up with us [we] started changing our stories to acknowledge it.”

“We destroyed our world,’ she said, ‘and left it for the skies. Our numbers were few. Our species had scattered. We were the last to leave. We left the ground behind. We left the oceans. We left the air. We watched these things grow small. We watched them shrink into a point of light. As we watched, we understood. We understood what we were. We understood what we had lost. We understood what we would need to do to survive. We abandoned more than our ancestors’ world. We abandoned our short sight. We abandoned our bloody ways. We made ourselves anew.”

“From the stars, came the ground. From the ground, we stood. To the ground, we return.”

- Sam K. Pearl (they/them)

News: Pacific Western Region

Unitarian Universalist Association

PWR Monthly Presidents' Meetings

Presidents, Chairs, and Moderators of Congregation and Covenanting Community Boards are invited to our monthly Presidents’ Call. Connect with other presidents for resource sharing and community. You are encouraged to attend the meeting for your geographic area, but may attend whichever fits your schedule.

Reach out to your primary contact for the Zoom links.

UU Community Resilience Hub

Forward Together: Anchoring in Community Post Election

Explore the UU Community Resilience Hub

As part of our commitment to building resilient, safe, and thriving communities, we encourage you to visit the UU Community Resilience Hub a comprehensive resource offering tools, training, and support to help protect our communities and democracy. The hub contains everything from conflict de-escalation to leveraging spiritual and physical assets during critical times. We will be updating this space often to bring you the latest information and resources to equip our communities to meet the challenges and opportunities of this moment.

As we approach Election Day, it is critical that we come together to nourish our spirits and move in our collective power. This is about more than one election; it is about grounding ourselves in the values and communities that drive our fight for justice. No matter your issue; climate justice, democracy, gender justice, or criminalization, we are in this work together. That’s why we are excited to invite you to join us for Forward Together: Anchoring in Community Post Election, a virtual series designed to offer space for reflection, spiritual grounding, and practical organizing in response to the evolving political landscape.

UU the Vote: In-Person Mobilization

We invite UUs who are within driving distance of one of these five states to join us for a weekend of worship and canvassing! Training will be offered throughout the weekend and no one will canvas alone. Join UUs and local partners for this crucial work of connecting with voters before Election Day! (Gas cards can be provided to drivers who are bringing more than 3 individuals to an event!)

November 1-3: Denver, CO

UU Climate Justice Revival Facilitator Trainings

Is your congregation among the hundreds hosting their Revival sometime this winter or spring? If so, we have facilitator trainings scheduled so you can be prepared for your amazing event.

November 14: UU Revival Facilitator Training

January 15: UU Revival Facilitator Training

February 26: UU Revival Facilitator Training

Curious about the UU Climate Justice Revival? It's not too late to host your own! Learn more and register at uuclimatejustice.org!

Recording & Resources: UU Theological Grounding for Climate Justice

Last week, UUA President Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt and UUSC President Rev. Mary Katherine Morn had a "fireside chat" about the UU theological grounding for Climate Justice. After their 30 min conversation, participants engaged in small group discussion. Congregations are invited to host their own viewing and discussions. Find the event recording as well as the small group questions at Side with Love's website.

Green Sanctuary 2030: Orientations and Monthly Meetings

Get to know the new Green Sanctuary! Join the monthly orientation session to get a better understanding of the program and learn how your congregation can engage in ongoing climate action. Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice can transform your congregation through climate justice! Orientation meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month at 4PT - 5MT - 6CT - 7ET.

Green Sanctuary Celebration and Call for Renewal with Pres. Sofía Betancourt

December 11 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT

Come together to celebrate 35 years of Green Sanctuary! From the 7th Principle Project to Mobilizing for Climate Justice, the Green Sanctuary process has transformed our congregations and our world. Join Pres. Sofía and friends for a celebration of Green Sanctuary and a call for renewal through Green Sanctuary 2030: Mobilizing for Climate Justice.

Register at https://secure.everyaction.com/JIevGKewM0icPstHI1W9Rw2

UPLIFT Access Monthly Resource Webinar

November 21 at 12pm ET / 9am PT

Our loving faith calls us to honor the inherent rights and dignity of all people and to fight forms of oppression wherever we find it. However, disabled people (who make up 26% of the population) regularly find ourselves pushed to the margins, being denied our needs, and not receiving the radical welcome UU’s aspire to provide to all members.

Lay leaders, religious professionals, and allies are invited to join us for our monthly lunchtime webinars where you can learn how to be more accessible and inclusive of your congregation’s disabled members and visitors.

Join our November webinar and view the previous ones: https://www.uua.org/accessibility/webinar

UPLIFT Trans/Nonbinary+ Gatherings & Pastoral Care Space

A rainbow borders a box with a black background. Inside this box is a chalice with trans flag colors, and text that reads in rainbow: "UPLIFT." Below, the text reads, "Monthly Trans/Non-Binary Gathering Space, 4th Tuesdays @8pm ET / 5pm PT." Underneath, text reads "Pastoral Care Groups--2nd Fridays @8pm ET/5pm PT." Behind all of this are the nonbinary, transgender, genderqueer, and genderfluid flags.

November 26 at 8pm ET/ 5pm PT

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)!

This is a drop-in space, where folks can come and go as works best for them, and where people can join us at any time. You can be a regular or someone new, someone who's been curious for a while but hasn't yet checked us out, somebody who is rejoining after time away, and all other ways of relating to this space! You are welcome here, and you are loved.

This space is intentionally multi-generational. It is open to and welcoming of trans/nonbinary elders as well as children, youth, and young adults. Standard UUA online safety measures apply to ensure all people under 18 are able to attend. We're glad to have you here!

Learn more: https://www.uua.org/lgbtq/transnb

Register: https://bit.ly/UPLIFTGathering

Sistersouurce

Sister Souurce, Inc. was created in 2021 after Elder Rev. Dr. Qiyamah A. Rahman realized that Black women and girls within Unitarian Universalism had no dedicated presence and space to showcase their contributions and to identify and consolidate resources for them and the larger community of UUs. She did what any responsible UU would do – she created Sister Souurce, Inc. with the help of Jan Carpenter Tucker.

The purpose and guiding principles of Sister Souurce, Inc. are to bring about awareness and appreciation of the presence of Black Unitarian Universalist women and girls (womxn, lgbtqia+, and non-binary inclusive), to amplify their voices and narratives, to nurture their accomplishments and growth; and to bring them into the fullness of their lives.

Come and grow with us! You can help us build bridges and break barriers. We need volunteers for any of the following: grants research and grants writing, content development for the website and other social media, credited photography and artwork, events planning, publicity and brainstorming sessions! Perhaps this can be fertile ground for growing your rising star and leadership skills. Learn more at their website.

Taproot: A National BIPOC Space

The work of the spiritual community is complicated in the 21st century. From busy schedules to the ever pressing tension brought on by systemic injustice, the need for faithful leadership that is grounded and resilient is imperative. This is all the more true for leaders within our

communities and congregations who are Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC). All too aware of this need, Congregational Life is excited to explore and co-create a network with congregational leaders that support them in this time in emergent ways through Taproot: A National BIPOC Space. The organizing pillars of this collective is:

Rest & Renewal
Analysis Building
Leadership Development

BIPoC Leaders rooted in the Unitarian Universalist congregations are invited to take part in this monthly, virtual gathering as we explore these pillars in creating a means by which to ground ourselves in resilient communities of care.

This year, Taproot’s theme is "Leadership as Spiritual Practice," focusing on integrating spiritual groundedness with leadership development. We will explore how personal biography and resilience contribute to effective leadership and address challenges like responding to microaggressions and internalized supremacy.

Dates: We generally meet on the Second Wednesday of the month, October through May, at 8 PM EST/ 7 PM CST/ 6 PM MT/ 5 PM PST. Please see the calendar for details. 2024-25 dates are: October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9 and May 14.

All participants are asked to register for this event, you will receive the zoom connection information in your confirmation email. Register to join.

A Message and Resource from Lifespan Faith Engagement

In white lettering in a circular pattern on a black background: The Emerging Adult Ministry Team. In the middle are two outlines of flames.

Hello! Imagine if you will… in your home congregation…That emerging adults (EAs, aged 18 - 24) are integrated into the life of the church and have strong connections with each other. They are involved in both intergenerational and age cohort activities that satisfy spiritual and social needs. They are encouraged to hold flexible positions of leadership throughout the church and their perspectives and voices are valued, not just because of their generational lens, but also because of their leadership abilities. Their leadership is felt in many aspects of congregational life. Emerging adults are (becoming) a large part of our identity as a faith community; it is truly THEIR congregation, too.

Are you interested in making this vision a reality? If so, check out these tips.

Camp de Benneville Pines

For those folks who seek other adventures, there are always plenty of choices for great things to do at Camp de Benneville Pines. Check out our events calendar for the 2024-2025 programming year. Want to be the first to know about registration dates and more? Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list.

2024-25 Sermon of the Month Series Is Here!

Designed for small congregations, lay-led congregations, congregations with part-time ministry, and any congregation that is seeking resources for worship, Congregational Life's Sermon of the Month Series is a monthly subscription service that provides recorded sermons congregations can download and use for worship. Along with a transcript of the sermon, each month’s offering will include suggested readings and hymns.

Register Here for the Sermon of the Month Series

Host a UU Book Fair or an inSpirit Book Store Table

white background with red letters - inSpirit UU Book and Gift Shop

Hosting a church book table or book fair is a popular and effective way to both connect congregants and visitors with books they’ll love and raise money for your ministries. inSpirit: The UU Book and Gift Shop can help keep your crowd current on the latest progressive reading resources from Skinner House, Beacon Press and other publishers as they continue their search for truth and meaning. inSpirit’s curated selection of books centers around issues of social justice, equity, and spirituality relevant to our time and place in the world. Visit uuabookstore.org to learn more about our book table and book fair services.

Pacific Western Region of the UUA Newsletter

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Pacific Western Region - UUA

P.O Box 567

Brighton, CO 80601

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