Midweek Message August 27, 2026

Beloveds, 

     I am delighted to be back to work in person after a brief vacation followed by study leave and planning. I hope your summer treated you well. I wanted to use this time to lift up a few initiatives:

Over the last two weeks, we have been experimenting with what services feel like without a printed order of service. This is a big change for this community, and I understand that this change might feel frustrating for some of us. When evaluating whether or not to move forward with this on a permanent basis, we are weighing: the cost savings (paper, ink, staff hours to draft/print/cut/clean up), the environmental impact, the effectiveness of the software to share important details via the sanctuary screens, the need for flexibility in designing worship services with the benefits of having a take-away from the service with information about the congregation and staff as well as some select announcements on the back. I have heard some varied feedback already, and your staff team is actively discussing ways to address some of the issues you have raised. I appreciate you leaning into this shift and any discomfort it produces as we work to be good stewards of our resources and environment and see whether this works for FUUN. 

In other news- I invite you to be on the lookout over the next few weeks for our new Bluetooth-integrated hearing assistance sound system in the sanctuary! This system was purchased through a generous grant from the endowment fund and allows those with Bluetooth-enabled hearing aids (or headphones) to connect directly into our sound system so that no one has to miss a word! Thank you to our devoted worship tech, Scott Weaver, for his work on researching, purchasing, installing and testing this new equipment! 

Back by popular demand, the Beloved Community Team is organizing a year-long study and practice group for Non-Violent Communication skills, facilitated by Joanna Carnahan. It will take place twice a month after service on Sunday. Please register here: https://fuun.breezechms.com/form/nonviolentcommunicationsessions26-27

A new series of Adult Religious Education, led by Rev. Charlotte, will begin in October- please keep a lookout for that announcement in the next month! 

 TUUCAN (Tennessee Unitarian Universalist Community Action Network), with support from Side With Love, is hosting a Solidarity Summit in Memphis September 18- 20th. Organizers (which included myself and those on our Social Justice Team, among many others from all over TN) have chosen Memphis as an act of solidarity marking the 1 year anniversary of the military occupation of their city. You can expect fabulous trainings, speakers, a justice action, and a worship service put on by UU clergy from across the state. If you want to attend, please register by August 31st here:  https://secure.everyaction.com/dK7sCcBRA06Eb1NHikmfdQ2

Worried about the cost of transportation and accommodation? Let's talk! There are carpools and home stays available as well as splitting hotel costs, among other options. 

Have I told you lately I love being your minister.... because I do! 

Rev. Charlotte