Together: We Can Create Community

September 2024

As we embark on this new congregational year, I extend a heartfelt welcome to each and every one of you. TheMountainTopUU is a space where love is at the center of all we do, and I am thrilled to see how this love will guide us in the months to come.

Our theme for this year is “Love,” a simple word with profound meaning. Love is what brings us together, sustains us through challenges, and propels us forward in our quest for justice and equity. Each month, we will explore a different aspect of love, beginning with this month’s theme: “Welcome Home.”

“Welcome Home” is not just a phrase – it is an invitation. It is an invitation to return to a place where you are seen, heard, and valued for who you are. It is an invitation to build deeper connections within our community, to strengthen the bonds that hold us together, and to extend a hand of friendship to those who are new among us.

This year, our journey will be enriched by the stories and experiences of people of color within our community. Our shared narratives are powerful, and they remind us of the strength we draw from our diverse backgrounds, cultures, and histories. We will celebrate the beauty of our collective identity, and we will stand in solidarity with one another as we work towards a world where love is justice, and justice is love.

As we step into this year, let us do so with open hearts and minds, ready to embrace the possibilities that lie ahead. Let us remember that love is not just a feeling but a practice – one that requires intention, commitment, and courage. Together, we can create a community where everyone feels at home, where love is not only spoken but lived.

I am honored to be on this path to the top of the mountain with you and excited about the journey we will share. May this year be one of growth, transformation, and deepening love for one another and the world around us.

In Service,

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