August 29, 2025.
Here we are, busily preparing for another congregational year at UUCF. Although there are many similarities, each year seems different from the others. Each year brings many transitions as new faces come in search of connections and meaning in their lives, as others – for a variety of reasons – transition away from UUCF. Each era has its gifts and its challenges as this congregation has seen its way through the Cold War, the Vietnam era, Watergate, and so many other historic events (including a 100-year global pandemic).
Today, we find ourselves in an era of challenges to our basic values and principles in a political and cultural landscape that most of us have never experienced nor expected. With that said, so much of the purpose of institutions like UUCF hasn’t changed. In fact, in these times, they are accentuated.
We continue to be here for those in a search for truth and meaning.
We continue to be here as a place of connection for those feeling isolated or needing the comfort of human interaction.
We continue to be here for a communal call to our best selves.
We continue to be here to experience joy and hope.
We continue to be here to be a source of joy and hope for a hurting world.
We continue to be here to be a voice of love, justice, and basic human dignity in the greater community.
We continue to be here to explore what is in us, between us, and beyond our understanding.
For this and so much more, this congregation, this religious institution, this place of love, connection, and hope, will officially gather for the new congregational year on Sunday, September 7 for UUCF’s traditional Ingathering/Water Communion. With the theme “River of Dreams,” we will not let what is happening in the world stop us from dreaming of the coming together of a community of beloveds. In fact, beyond dreaming, we will practice being in this beloved community as much and as often as possible.
Yes, it is another beginning to another UUCF congregational year. In some ways, it will be like all the rest and in other ways, it will be much different from any that we could have imagined. But this I know: we will be here together, for these holy moments and always grateful for the winding road that brought us to this place.
I love you,
Rev. David Miller
Senior Minister