May's Musings

Dear Ones,
May’s theme will be “Vision”, and we’ll certainly be talking about what that means throughout the month.  But because this will be the last UUtopia before the “Summer Break”, I’d rather delve into what will be happening in the coming months and give you some insight into the interesting and exciting things that are planned.
So here goes:
First, let’s look at May- May’s programming will be, not surprisingly, looking at our future.  On May 7 I’ll be exploring the entire concept of “vision” and how that might look for the coming year.  
On May 14 – Mother’s Day, so Happy Mother’s Day to all those who “mother” in any capacity- “the 2 Jeffs” (Jeff Hampton and Jeffrey Matthais) will be exploring what YOUR vision of the coming year might be.  
On May 21 we’ll be focusing on “The Past, The Present, And The Future”.  We’ll honor those of our community who have joined the ancestors, we’ll celebrate those leaders who have served us so wonderfully this year, and rejoice with those who have joined our beloved community this year.  Let’s bring flowers to decorate the sanctuary in celebration!  We’ll follow that up with our Congregational Meeting immediately after the service.  
As you know, we have “congregational polity”- that means that OUR MEMBERS are the ultimate authority on what happens in this beloved community.  And it is at the Congregational Meeting that we collectively chart the course for the coming year and into the future for UUFS.  YOUR VOTE COUNTS! So  please plan to attend this important meeting.
Than, on May 28 comes our annual celebration of another year of being together as we join in our Festive End-of-Year Potluck Picnic.  We’ll grill some hotdogs, you bring something to share, and we’ll have a lovely gathering of fun and fellowship.
So then it’s on to the “official” Summer schedule.  
June- You’ve already been hearing from Cheryl Lang about June programming, when we’ll be exploring “Neighboring Faiths”.  We be looking at the crazy quilt of faith traditions that make up that is our dear Delmarva.   
June is also Pride Month, and so there will be LGBTQ+ Pride events all over the area.  Salisbury Pride will take place on June 24, where we will, of course, have a table and participate in the parade.  Last year was fabulous, and this year promises to be just as great.  There’s also the Pagan Pride Festival being held in Dover on June 4,  Delaware LGBTQ+ Pride in Dover on June 10, and Salisbury’s Juneteenth Celebration on June 17.  It’s a fully packed month of Pride, to be sure!
July- Our theme for the month of July will be “Arts and Religion”.  We’ll take a look at how various kinds of art inspires, informs and illustrates religious traditions, and has done so throughout history.  Jeff Hampton is the “go to” person for that month’s services, so if you have an idea you’d like to explore, he’s the person to talk to.
For August our theme will be “Social Justice”.  Think of it this way- the emphasis could be on the “social” part, or the “justice” part.  Ron Pagano will be our go to person for this month, where we might have a social day, or a justice day, or a social justice day!  Chat with him to plan  something wonderful.  
August 5 will also be the Delmarva “UU Family Fun Day” at Killen’s Pond in Delaware. Joint fellow UU’s as we come together for a day of fresh air and fellowship.  There’s hiking, fishing, paddle boating and a water park- and of course picnicking!  Please join us.
That’s what I know so far.  I know it’s only of taste of what’s in store for us. So check out our website (www.uufsalisbury.net), our Facebook page, and make sure you read your Wednesday weekly announcements to stay up-to-date on any new developments or changes.
All-in-all, I think it’s a pretty great vision of what’s to come for our beloved community, don’t you?  We’ll see you on Sunday!
Wishing peace and blessings,
Rev John