During our Martin Luther King Sunday on January 17, 2010, we took up a special collection to help the people of Haiti after the devastating 7.0 earthquake of January 12. Together, we raised $497 which is being sent to the joint UUSC/UUA Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. Thank you to those of you present who made donations, and thank you to those of you who donated at other times and in other ways to help the earthquake victims. These donations add up quickly. As of January 22, the joint UUA/UUSC fund had received 4214 donations totaling $425,512. If you would like to make a contribution by check, please make it payable to “UUSC/UUA Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund” and mail it to: UUSC P.O. Box 844001 Boston, MA 02284-4001. We at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation in Andover as well as fellow Unitarian Universalists elsewhere are responding admirably, so far, to this crisis. In fact, crises tend to bring out the best in us. But we cannot forget the importance of being there for the long haul. I hope that we will pay attention to the situation in Haiti as time goes on, just as so many Unitarian Universalists have done after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans. We must continue to respond to the crisis over time, as a meaningful response to any crisis requires commitment. Congregations are about commitment, in fact. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, “commitment” means “an agreement or pledge to do something in the future … the state or an instance of being obligated or emotionally impelled”. At our congregational meeting after the Sunday service on January 31, we have a chance to take stock. We have a valuable opportunity to think about what it is that we pledge to do together in the future. We have a chance to think about what we feel emotionally impelled to do for our community and the world beyond it. I continue to be so impressed by this congregation. And it’s your commitment to this congregation and to your community, both locally and globally, that drives it all. Thank you for your willingness to give of yourselves to our important ministries. The work of building a beloved community is a long haul commitment, as is helping the people of Haiti. I thank you for your many commitments, and for making the UUCiA what it is. I remain plumb excited to be a part of it. In faith, Lara

Posted by Rev. M. Lara Hoke on January 27th, 2010