Jul 1, 2026

“I teach my sighs to lengthen into songs,
Yet, like a tree endure the shift of things.” 
~Theodore Roethke (The Renewal)

Dear Ones,

It’s July, a month I have usually reserved for vacation from my work as a minister. Most years, I find it very helpful to have some time away, but this year is a little different. Because we as a congregation have some exciting things coming up early in the fall (the UU the Vote Solidarity Summit in Memphis, Sept. 18-20, and my installation as settled minister at GNUUC on Sept. 26), I am going to continue working on these special projects through July, but on a limited basis. I will be trying to give myself space to allow a few sighs to lengthen into songs and to enjoy time with my family. 

What this means for you: you may not see me on Sundays or at meetings, and I will not be checking email regularly or responding to most church-related Slack messages, phonecalls, or texts. However, if you find yourself in urgent need of pastoral care, please be in touch with the church office (see below).

This summer, may our sighs lengthen into songs of surprising beauty and perhaps joy, and may we all find a sense of graceful endurance among the shift of things. 

Yours, with sighs and songs and (as always) the trees,
Rev. Denise
RevDenise@gnuuc.org

P.S. During the month of July, if you find yourself in urgent need of pastoral care, please email gnuuc@gnuuc.org or leave a message on the phone at church requesting pastoral care. Be sure to state that you are asking for pastoral care and leave your name and contact information.

P.P.S. If you are (like many of us) feeling some feelings about certain so-called justice decisions that came down yesterday, I commend to you today’s blog post from the Rev. Kimberly Debus: Unalienable Rights. She has challenging and hopeful words just for us Unitarian Universalists.