I am deeply grateful to be in shared ministry with all of you in this chaotic time in our wider world. We at your Unitarian Universalist Association are trying a new format – a State of the Association message meant to update you on the work of your UUA, invite you into further collaboration, and offer the kind of transparency that is required for all of us to hold the heart of the faith together.

In sharing this message, my first ask from you is for grace. Know that our intent with this State of the Association message is to engage as many of the needs and questions present among us as possible, holding a spirit of invitation to be in dialogue and relationship going forward. You’ll find links to the full video and additional resources below. Please use these materials in whatever ways best meet the needs of your congregation or community.

As we come together in shared mission and ministry, let us ground in our tradition of being a people who show up; warriors for love and justice in the world, and people who do not back down. As you take in all that is shared in this State of the Association message, consider how you can continue to support the structure that upholds this covenantal faith.

Your UUA exists to make our covenant real; to ensure that congregations are not alone, UU values are not fragmented, and our faith has continuity, credibility, and a future. From my perspective, the state of our Association is dedicated, determined, and nimble in how it meets the current moment. What we need from each other is continued investment in the interconnected web that grounds all of our ministries and sustains our faith into the future.

Faithfully,

Rev. Dr. Sofía Betancourt