Last month, I attended the first of a series of workshops called Worship Well: a new UUA program for lay leaders to foster connection, creativity, and leadership development. I’m excited about the quality of this experience. I know it will give me new energy as a worship leader. As we develop worship services, we are asked to consider questions like these:

• How does the message and service engage the “big questions” that humans wrestle with?
• How does the message inform how we understand, engage, and strengthen our relationships to That Which Is Larger Than Us?
• How does the message invite people into new engagement with others, with the world, and/or with That Which Is Larger Than Us?
• Which UU values are reflected in this topic, and how?
• How does your story/experience/invitation embody hope?

As we go into our new church year, I will use these questions to shape more meaningful/religious/spiritual experiences in services that I lead.

And this takes me back to my seat in the Chair’s chair this year. We owe Katy Boyd a debt of thanks for her four years of service, persevering to set us on a path of post-pandemic recovery and growth. As I look forward to how we may continue to grow, I see that the quality of our worship program is essential. I want challenging, thoughtful, restorative services for those of us already here. And visitors too can experience the difference that our deep-thinking, open-minded, love-centered liberal religious tradition offers—and come back to experience it again. I guess I do believe that if we build it,
they will come!

Thanks for being here,
Gena