Living with Love As Our Center

1 October 2024

Dear Beloved Community,

As the colors of autumn begin to surround us and we prepare for another season of change, I am reminded of the power of love at the heart of all that we do. This month, we embrace the theme “Love as the Center,” grounding ourselves in the belief that love, in its many forms, is the force that sustains and transforms us.

Love calls us to care for ourselves, to be gentle with our own spirits, and to offer that same tenderness to those around us. This October, we are launching a social media series, “31 Days of Caring for Ourselves, Caring for Others,” where each day, we will explore how we can embody love through acts of care. In this series, we will focus on mental health, addiction, suicide prevention, and supporting family caregivers—issues that profoundly affect our communities, especially those of us who are BIPOC, Queer, or youth.

Each post will offer practical guidance, highlight resources, and remind us that we are not alone in our struggles. In centering these voices, we commit to honoring the full humanity of every person in our community. We hope that this series will be a source of healing, connection, and empowerment.

As we move through this month, let us hold one another in love and compassion, knowing that when we care for ourselves and others, we make way for collective liberation.

With deep gratitude and love,

Pastor AJ Blackwood
Community Minister
The Mountain Top UU