Black Excellence and Constructive Theology

February 2025

Dear Beloved Community,

This February, we reflect on the theme of “Love as Justice” and the ways our faith calls us to honor and uplift justice in all that we do. Justice, rooted in love, demands that we celebrate the beauty, brilliance, and resilience of Black lives—not just during Black History Month but throughout the year.

We are thrilled to highlight our February social media series, “Black Excellence: Celebrating Visionaries.” Each day, we will shine a light on Black pioneers, artists, entrepreneurs, and changemakers who have shaped and enriched our world. These stories remind us of the profound contributions of Black individuals and communities, inspiring us to reflect on the question:

“How can we celebrate Black Excellence both within our faith and in the wider world?”

I invite you to engage with this question deeply and personally this month. Consider how you can center Black voices and experiences in your spiritual practice, advocacy, and leadership.

New Weekly Workshop Series
In addition, I’m excited to share that we are launching a new Weekly Constructive Theology & Creative Expression Workshop Series: A Passion for Justice beginning Saturday, February 1st, at 11:00 am MT. This series is designed to explore how justice and creativity intersect within our Unitarian Universalist values. Together, we will co-create a space to reflect on theology as a tool for liberation and use creative expression to inspire and sustain justice work. There are three ways to attend, in person in California in the San Fernando Valley and in Colorado in Parker as well as online via Google Meet. Please RSVP and let us know if you are planning to attend. (DATES: 2/1, 2/8, 2/15, 2/22, 3/1, 3/8, 3/15, 3/29, 4/5, 4/26)

New Covenant Group Forming
Covenant groups are an easy way to make friends and build community formed mostly around 8-10 people who commit to meeting together for 6 months at a time. Each covenant group decides how often and when to meet, but generally meet formally monthly, and informally as desired. Monthly get-togethers during the week are the most common. Our Meetings will be held online with an in person option (if there is a desire by the group) and have three basic elements: Chalice Lighting, Check-In, and Discussion. Please let me know if you are interested.

Mark Your Calendars

• Mind, Body & Spirit with BridgesUU on Thursdays
• Community Celebration – “Love in Action: Struggling for Justice” with Pastor AJ on February 9th
• Celebration – “Sacred Artistry: Black Creators and the Spirit of Justice” with UUs for Racial Justice and Sepulveda UU Society on February 16th
• Community Gathering – “Cultivating Empathy: The Foundation of Justice” with The Mountain Top Team on February 23th

Thank you for being part of this sacred community. I look forward to learning, growing, and celebrating with you in the weeks ahead.

In love and service,

AJ
Pastor AJ Blackwood
Community Minister
The Mountain Top: A BIPOC Unitarian Universalist Community