“Gather the spirit of heart and mind.  Seeds for the sowing are laid in store.  Nurtured in love, and conscience refined, with body and spirit united once more.” 

These words by Jim Scott are some of the first words I remember learning by heart as a UU kid.  As a UU adult typing those words out I can’t help but hear Jim’s melody in my head.  As UU’s we are called to gather for we know that the spark within each one of us needs tending to.  It is easier to keep that spark lit when there are others around to re-light it, when there are others around to witnes our peace, our thanks, our sympathy, our hope, compassion and strength.   

“Gather the spirit, harvest the power.  Our sep’rate fires will kindle one flame.  Witness the mystery of this hour.  Our trials in this light appear all the same.”

So once more we gather with a whole bunch of mystery ahead.  This year we hope our monthly themes will fuel everyone in our congregation from cradle to sage with core actions that our faith calls us to and our times need from us.  

At the start of this new church year we explore the ways in which our faith and times call us to “Embrace Possibilities!”  What relationships will we strengthen this year?  What new friends will we meet?  Who will we say goodbye to?  What will we try anew?  What will we try again?  What will we never try again? 

We will get to embrace these possibilities of ours as we

“Gather in peace, gather in thanks.

Gather in sympathy now and then.

Gather in hope, compassion and strength.

Gather to celebrate once again.”