I arrived in Pittsburgh for General Assembly on Sunday. Turning into the hotel parking area, I was surrounded by pedestrians; I heard loud music playing nearby; I saw tents of vendors in the street next to the hotel. I soon learned that the Juneteenth celebration was happening in the city park right next to the hotel. I spent a good part of my evening at the festival.

Mingling with the crowd, I was aware that I was one of a few white faces in a sea of Blackness. The stage performers and the vendors gave me an immersion in Black culture and Black pride as well. I heard a gospel singer with a rock trio and back up singers behind her. She would preach about Jesus in between the songs, and interact with the crowd with her message of love and salvation. It was a bit like being in church in a big outdoor park.

I was reflecting about Juneteenth as I walked around. I had never heard of this holiday in the first 40 years of my life. Now I think it is more mainstream, and some workplaces recognize it as a holiday. Certainly it has always been an African American holiday, celebrating the day when word finally reached remote areas in Texas that the slaves had been freed by the Emancipation Proclamation.

The atmosphere was festive and friendly. It was also Father’s Day, and strangers greeted me with “happy Father’s Day.” As I strolled through the area with street vendors, I saw Juneteenth T-shirts alongside traditional African-styled clothes; paintings and posters by African Americans and with Black themes. I was moved by the display of Black culture and Black pride. I was a visitor in that culture and in the celebration unique to African American history. I felt the importance of the holiday and of the progress represented. I was reminded again of the important anti-racism work to be done: begin in my own heart and mind so that I notice and interrupt racist thoughts when they occur; practice humility, compassion and love for all people; recognize the uniqueness of all. And bring the message of anti-racism to my fellow white people.

PRAYER:
May the Black community of Pittsburgh be blessed. May Juneteenth remind everyone in America of the unspeakable trauma of our collective past, while lifting up resilience and hope for the future.
May all cultures be celebrated. May all people know that they belong.
May love transcend all differences.
Blessed be.

Rev. Andrew Frantz

At the last COVID Task Force meeting we voted ourselves out of existence. The public health news is so good that the Fellowship has now removed all COVID strictures—including the requirement that people attending UUFCM events be vaccinated.
 
This task force, currently composed of Steve Gellman, Laura McBride, Penny Swart and Jodi Fisher along with the minister, has been meeting once or twice per month during the pandemic. We have monitored the public health situation, and we have balanced the health needs of the congregation—especially those more at risk—with the benefits of meeting together in person. As we all know, the COVID situation has been slowly and steadily improving in recent months. The graphs and charts that I used to follow with such dread and hope, with the tall spikes of illness and death, now show low risk everywhere and the lowest number of monthly deaths since the pandemic began.
 
In the COVID meeting our decision was unanimous and clear. As we were affirming the decision, I had to stop us for a moment just to contemplate and remember and appreciate where we are. A year ago, we were masking and distancing in worship. Two years ago, we didn’t know if or when this pandemic was going to end. Three years ago, we had no vaccine.
 
I’m pausing again right now for gratitude. It’s so easy to take good news for granted. The good news on COVID has been slow and steady for many months now. Most of us, even those who used to wear masks consistently, don’t wear masks anywhere anymore. And let’s remember: we almost died from this pandemic. Collectively and individually our health was gravely threatened by COVID. We lost loved ones. Our children lost a year of schooling. The pandemic changed all of us in ways that remain below the surface. We didn’t know if we would ever make it to this point, and now we are here.
 
The task force is advisory to the Board of Trustees, and the Board quietly made this decision official on Sunday: the COVID Task Force is now suspended, and the Fellowship policy that “anyone attending UUFCM events must be vaccinated unless exempt” is now rescinded. Yes, people can and do still get COVID. Yes, we will continue to have worship services and committee meetings on Zoom for health and safety (as well as convenience). And we should all be grateful for the progress we’ve made and the good health we now collectively enjoy.
 
PRAYER:
Unfolding Life and Nature, divine spirit of the air and water, breath of life within us: hear this prayer of gratitude.
We have survived the COVID pandemic so far. Beyond hope, we have lived to see a day when effective vaccines are available and when the disease has receded farther than we imagined.
Let us embrace this moment. Let us embrace one another and rejoice in our ability to gather in large and small groups. And let us remain vigilant, careful, and wise to protect our own health and the health of the vulnerable among us, today and in the face of public health challenges yet to come.
Blessed be.
 
Rev. Drew Frantz

Recently we had a celebration in the fellowship hall in honor of the successful stewardship drive campaign. The campaign asks people once per year to pledge an amount of money they plan to donate next year to keep the Fellowship going financially. This year the pledges were generous and 98% of the goal was met.
 
The celebration was by invitation to those people who met one of three criteria: those making a financial pledge for the first time; those increasing their pledge by 5% compared to last year; and those pledging 5% of their income. Amazingly, half the congregation fit one of these categories, showing deep and wide support for our work. Their reward was ice cream sundaes – and a chance to reflect and brainstorm about this congregation, what we do, and what we dream we could be.
 
What if we had a million dollars? What if our budget were double what it is now? What if we had enough money (and volunteers) to do that next thing we are dreaming of—what would that thing be?
 
With a belly full of ice cream and an invitation to dream big, here are some ideas that I heard:
-get a van to pick up people who need rides
-support a movement to build tiny homes for Mount Pleasant residents
-improve the sound system in the sanctuary
-put on youth programs like Our Whole Lives and Race to Justice
-organize a service trip
-have a UU rock band that plays during some worship services
-have two worship services per week
-provide mentoring and tutoring to community members
-offer more workshops and classes like Building Your Own Theology
-be more involved with local non-profit and charity organizations
 
In facilitating the discussion, I encouraged people in their dreaming by saying that vision is necessary before you can accomplish a big thing – and then I realized that half the people in the room were present for the visioning and accomplishing that have got UUFCM this far: buying a building outright with no mortgage; hiring a full-time minister. And the other half of the people in the room are newer than that. It takes all of us to dream and contribute and to create the Fellowship of tomorrow. I’m grateful to everyone who is part of this movement, and for all the contributions of money and volunteer energy that you are able to provide.
 
PRAYER:
Divine spirit that nurtures our dreams; heavenly energy that allows us to imagine and envision beyond the here and now, thank you.
May we continue moving forward and creating the best version of what we can be—in this Fellowship, in our families, and everywhere in our lives.
May it be so.
 
Rev. Andrew Frantz