Labor Day has come and gone, and so it must be time to start another year at the UUCiA. I don’t know about you, but I am (yes!) plumb excited. I hope you will join us on the 13th for our Water Communion ceremony on Opening Sunday. A Water Communion is a gathering ceremony traditionally done at the UUCiA (and often used in Unitarian Universalist congregations across the country on “homecoming” Sundays). All are invited to bring a small quantity of water to the service, sharing why the water is special or representative of the summer. As the UUA website puts it, “The combined water is symbolic of our shared faith coming from many different sources.” It will be wonderful to be together again, and to meet new friends.

In fact, why stop at bringing water with you on the 13th? Why not bring a friend along this Sunday, or some Sunday soon? I know it can be awkward to “mix worlds” by inviting neighbors or co-workers or even relatives to come to worship in “your” spiritual community. But then again, if the UUCiA is a special place for you, it is worthy of being shared with the special people in your life. I’m guessing this isn’t the first time you’ve been asked to bring a friend along. I’m giving fair warning that it won’t be the last time I ask, either. You are a warm and wonderful congregation, and I want more people from the Merrimack Valley to have the opportunity to get to know you. To quote from Genesis 1:20, “Then God said, ‘Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures…’” May our Water Communion in-gathering be joyous and abundant!

In faith and hope,
Lara

Posted by Rev. M. Lara Hoke on September 9th, 2009