Dear Friends,
We are facing a time of transition both in our nation and our Association, and we must work harder than ever before to build the beloved community. These past two years, I have been moved by your affirmation of our connections to one another. Through your participation in our first two Association Sundays, you have proven that we are, and always will be, better together.
On Association Sunday 2007, 626 congregations joined together and raised over $1.4 million to Grow Our Numbers through: our extensive national marketing campaign, growth grants to our districts to help congregations share our liberal religion with those who seek it, and The Diversity of Ministry Team’s Initiative to support ministers of color.
This past fall, 580 congregations celebrated Association Sunday 2008, and despite tough economic conditions, raised over $350,000 to Grow Our Spirit through: grants available to districts, congregations, and seminaries for lay theological education programs, funds enabling the Unitarian Universalists Ministers Association to expand their initiatives for continuing education for ministers through their CENTER program, scholarships to students preparing for UU ministry, and new projects of the Diversity of Ministry Team’s Initiative to support ministers of color.
I hope you know that Growth in Diversity work is tremendously important to me, and I trust it is important to you too. This is work we must do if we are truly to live our faith and to make our vision of justice and equality a reality. This year, your generous contributions to Association Sunday will help to develop spiritual communities that are more welcoming to ALL people.
Presidential candidate the Rev. Laurel Hillman said, “Our common religious experience treasures diversity and yearns for justice. Our anti-oppression work grows out of theology that acknowledges a common experience at the heart of our religious lives, a common experience that yearns for justice and treasures diversity. Whenever our diversity has been enlarged we have been blessed. Our spiritual journey down this road requires us all to develop the capacity to confess our own impoverishment, as well as share our wealth and gifts.”
Newly elected president Peter Morales said: “We can be the religion for our time and all time. This requires a constant effort to stay relevant in an ever-changing world. One way we can do this is by making sure our congregations and our ministry reflects the diversity of the world outside our doors.”
Thank you for participating today.
In faith and gratitude,
Rev. William G. Sinkford
Past President, UUA
