A Word from Pastor AJ: Creating Our Community Together

July 2024

Beloveds,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. We are on the threshold of a new era and it is imperative that we, as a Unitarian Universalist BIPOC community, come together to forge a path of solidarity, empowerment, and leadership. Our collective journey is both a testament to our resilience and a beacon of hope for future generations.

The Need for Leadership
The challenges we face today are complex, but they also present unprecedented opportunities for growth and transformation. It is within these very challenges that the need for strong, visionary leadership becomes most apparent. We need leadership that not only represents our diverse stories, but also harnesses the power of our shared experiences to create meaningful change.

Embracing Our Strengths
We are rich with talent, wisdom, and creativity. Each of us brings unique perspectives and skills that, when united, form a powerful force for good. By embracing our individual strengths and fostering an environment of mutual support, we can cultivate leaders who are not only capable, but also deeply connected to the values and principles that define us as UUs.

Building Together
Creating our community together means actively engaging in the work of leadership development. It means offering mentorship, providing opportunities for growth, and ensuring that every voice is heard and valued. It also means recognizing that leadership is not a position or title, but an ongoing process of learning, adapting, and inspiring others.

A Call to Action
I urge each of you to consider how you can contribute to The Mountain Top Community through our Steering Circle (Vision & Values Team). Our Steering Circle is composed of committed BIPOC community members who meet to set priorities, create our programming, develop services to offer our larger BIPOC community, and provide opportunities for connection and relationship building.

Together, we can create a future where our leadership is as dynamic and multifaceted as the community it serves. Together, we can build a world where justice, equity, and compassion are not just aspirations, but lived realities.

If you would like to know more about our Steering Circle (Vision & Values Team), please contact me directly. You can reach me during our Virtual Office Hours M-Th 9-1pm MT, via phone or text @ 714-699-3313, or email me by clicking here or the current Steering Circle by clicking here.

In Service,

AJ
Pastor AJ Blackwood
Community Minister
The Mountain Top: A UU BIPoC Community