As the days grow longer and the air turns warmer, I feel a familiar stirring within my old, brick bones. The echo of voices, the creak of wooden floors, and the soft shuffle of feet across the threshold – all these sounds remind me that I am more than just walls and windows. I am a living, breathing part of this community, a silent witness to the countless moments of connection, reflection, and transformation that have unfolded within my sanctuary.

 

Spring has a way of reminding us of the power of renewal. The flowers outside my doors push their way through the cool soil, stretching toward the sun, and I am reminded of the many souls who have passed through my doors seeking the same – light, warmth, and the chance to grow.

 

I’ve seen generations of seekers, each one carrying their own hopes and burdens, drawn to this place for different reasons. Some come seeking solace, others community, and still others a sense of purpose. Some arrive with questions, others with doubts, but all are welcome here, just as they are – unfinished, evolving, and beautiful in their imperfection.

 

As I look out upon the faces that fill my pews, I am reminded that we are, in many ways, like the gardens that surround me. We are each in different stages of growth. Some of us are just beginning to push through the soil, tentative and unsure. Others stand tall, branches reaching wide, offering shade and support to those around them. And then there are those who have weathered many seasons, their roots deep and strong, providing the stability that allows others to flourish.

 

Yet, like any garden, this community needs tending. It needs the steady, nurturing hands of those willing to plant seeds of kindness, water the roots of connection, and pull the weeds of misunderstanding and judgment. It needs the warmth of a thousand small acts of compassion, the light of shared laughter, and the gentle rain of understanding.

 

As we step into this season of growth, I invite you to consider the seeds you are planting in your own life and in this community. What small act of kindness can you offer to someone in need? What connections can you nurture? What new growth can you encourage within yourself?

 

Perhaps you’ve been thinking about joining a new team or taking on a volunteer role. Perhaps you’ve felt a pull to share your story or reach out to someone you’ve not seen in a while. Perhaps you’ve simply been longing for a deeper sense of belonging. Whatever your calling, know that this place – and this community – will always have space for you.

 

As the days continue to stretch toward summer, I hope you will find the courage to grow, the patience to nurture, and the strength to weather whatever storms may come. For in the end, we are all part of this ever-changing, ever-growing garden – each of us a vital, beautiful piece of the whole.

 

May you find the light you seek, and may you always know that you are welcome here, in this place that I have called home for generations.

 

With open doors and an open heart,

The Spirit of UUNWI