The Unitarian Fellowship of Peterborough

“I’m all for progress; it’s change I can’t stand!” - Mark Twain

Welcome back to this progressive community!

Humanist Dale McGowan gave the Fahs Lecture at the UUA General Assembly in June. He said that the amazing thing about liberal religion (as opposed to conservative religion) is that it is all about conserving progress and change. Rather paradoxical...and yet, isn’t that what we love about this faith? Open minds and open hearts are bound to let the spirit blow ‘where it listeth’, and spirit...well, it’s simply unpredictable.

Welcome to a community that embraces change!

There are lots of changes happening at UFP. Our ministerial intern, Ric Jones, begins his two years with us this month. Our Social Justice Group has challenged us to commit to some deep learning about Indigenous issues and our own racism. Our Religious Exploration Program starts off the year with a new curriculum for our K-2 children, a program called Spirit Play. And, we turn FIFTY this year.

But probably what we’ll notice most, at least initially, is that our lease agreement with Beth Israel has changed. Our Board chair, Jeff Payne, speaks of this elsewhere in this newsletter, and so I won’t belabour the details. Jeff, along with Wayne Kay, Margeree Edwards and Ben Wolfe spent countless hours this summer in dialogue, trying to find the best way to meet our needs within Beth Israel’s changing goals. Please thank them (and the whole UFP Board) for their dedication and their good work.

Welcome to this community of love!

Within Jewish tradition, a synagogue is not a building, but a community of people. And so it is with us. Regardless of where we gather, the community...our connections with one another are what matters. And within the community, what matters is our vision...that is, to create a community where lives are touched with compassion and peace in order that the world may, in turn, be transformed.

It is my expectation that in a month or two we will have completely adjusted to these changes. In fact, we’ll probably be on to the next thing. Those of us who have been preparing the way have already had time to acclimate, and we recognize that it’s going to take a bit of time for everyone else to catch up. Take a deep breath. Be patient and kind with yourself and with one another. Remember that you are not alone. We’re passing this way, through times of change, together.

Blessed are you, my friends.
Julie