Dear WUU community,
In just a few days, I’ll be starting a four-month sabbatical. I am so grateful to our WUU leaders for supporting this time away for me to rest and recharge. I’ll be away from WUU for four months, August 1-November 30. I’ll miss you, but I know you will be in the best of hands with our skilled and caring Sabbatical Committee (Phoebe Kent, Linda Lane- Hamilton, Pat Russo, and Angela Surber) and our wonderful staff and volunteer leaders.
I think you’ll find there will be lots to look forward to this fall:
- Fun all-congregation events like the Fall Arts Festival and the WUU auction
- A volunteer fair to help connect you to service opportunities in and beyond WUU
- Our new music director Kim Ness will be leading the choir and congregation in song
- A diverse slate of worship leaders, including neighboring UU ministers, local community leaders, and WUU members
- Religious education classes for all ages gearing up again
Look for a sabbatical brochure coming soon with lots of detailed information on what’s happening and how you can access help if you need it.
Before I go, please join me and WUU’s Board President Les Solomon on Sunday, July 24 for an informal Q&A session right after the worship service, in person and on Zoom. We’d love to hear your thoughts and questions about any and all aspects of what’s happening at WUU these days.
And, everyone’s invited to an all-congregation potluck BBQ on the WUU campus on Friday, July 29! I’d love to see you there if you can make it.
Meanwhile, I am just so deeply thankful for this chance to refresh my spirit. This will be my first sabbatical since I began serving congregations in 2005. I’m excited about many things, not least simply getting to rest and unplug for a while. John and I are planning to spend a couple of weeks in Ireland and England, and I’ll be taking an advanced class in shamanic healing to feed my spirit. Of course, I also have a stack of books and list of webinars that I’ll be checking out as well. I very much look forward to reconnecting and catching up with you all in December. Until then, take care and know that you will be in my heart.
In faith,
Rev. Laura